Our bags are packed, we’re ready to go. Some of us to Eretz Yisrael; others to the Carribean, Europe, the Far East, even the Jersey Shore. There will be “staycations” in the Five Towns (nothing wrong with that!) or Long Beach, the Hamptons, the North Shore. Depending on our disposition, we might enjoy a few days in the Big Apple, where there’s far more than a vacation week’s worth of things to see and do. more

When you think of venues of Yiddishkeit, how far up the list would you place the Australian Outback? It’s unlikely to have made my list — until now. We received another reminder last week of how the incredible unity of the Jewish people can rise anywhere, surviving even the harshest conditions in the most remote regions. It came to us courtesy of a levaya (funeral) in a distant Australian town that hasn’t seen many Jews since its gold rush in the 19th century, if then. more

Three students from the Five Towns and Long Beach were among nine to receive the distinction of valedictorian at Yeshiva University’s undergraduate commencement exercises in the IZOD Center in East Rutherford. The valedictorian honor reflects exceptional academic achievement. Ayelet Haymov of Cedarhurst and Jonathan Weiss of Lawrence were co-valedictorians of the Sy Syms School of Business and received the Dean Harold Nierenberg Memorial Valedictorian Award. Dan Schindelheim of Long Beach was valedictorian of the Yeshiva Program Mazer School of Talmudic Studies. more

Ninety-five young men and women gathered in Woodmere for a unique singles’ experience last Shabbat. The Shabbaton featured interactive activities, family meals, a dvar Torah, seudah shlishit and a musical havdalah. It was a joint effort by the Young Israel of Woodmere Singles Initiative Committee, YUConnects, JSMatchpoint, and SawYouAtSinai.com. more

Among the classic writings concerning Jewish liturgy are two works from Chabad — an English translation of their prayer book, “Siddur Tehillat Hashem,” by Rabbi Nissen Mangel, and the classic detailed commentary and exposition of Jewish liturgy by Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel, zt”l, entitled, “My Prayer,” first published in 1972 and recently reissued by Kehot in a two volume revised edition. “My Prayer,” reflecting scholarship drawn from the works of Maimonides and Chasidic masters, presents a deeper meaning of the prayers and a comprehensive understanding of the moral and ethical teachings contained therein. more

“They came to the Tzin Desert, and the people stopped in Kadesh. It was there that Miriam died and she was buried there.” (20:1) This is all the Torah has to say about Miriam, whose death was comparable to Moshe’s (Baba Batra 17a), Aharon’s, and even Avraham’s, on account of all them utilizing the word sham (there), which even appears twice here (Menachem Recanati on this verse). more

Both children and adults doubled their fun as the beautiful weather and exciting attractions made Kulanu’s annual community fair at Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park the place to be last Sunday. The fair raises money for the Cedarhurst-based Center for Special Services. “It is important to support Kulanu for the wonderful work that they do for the special needs children in the community,” said Jay Goldmark, a Woodmere resident. more

A widening measles outbreak in Brooklyn is being blamed on the refusal of some members of the borough’s Orthodox Jewish communities to vaccinate their children. The city’s Department of Health issued an alert on May 21, announcing 34 cases of measles, 27 in Borough Park and seven in Williamsburg. “It’s a mitzvah to get vaccinated,” Aaron E. Glatt, M.D., assistant rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere, told his congregation on Shabbat. “It’s protecting your life.” more

Schools, shuls and individuals from the Five Towns joined hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the tri-state area and beyond to demonstrate support for the State of Israel, at the 50th Annual Celebrate Israel Parade and Israel Day Concert in Manhattan on Sunday. more

Thursday June 6 FDNOW annual dinner Lawrence Yacht and Country Club 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559 6 PM reception, 7 PM dinner For more information go to fdnow.org more