The jobs of the Levitic families were spelled out in last week’s Torah portion, giving us the jobs of the Kehat family; now, moving into our parsha, we view depictions of the Gershon and Merari families. more

Shavuot is the shortest Jewish Bible-based festival, yet it is the most spiritually-powered. Prime to this holiday is the commemoration of the receiving of the Ten Commandments, perhaps the most spiritual event in all world history. The central personality of the Shavuot saga is Moshe Rabeinu. more

Ruth Mermelstein, 84, has been a member of the East Meadow Jewish Center since she moved to the hamlet in 1955. She and her husband, Sidney Mermelstein, moved to North Bellmore 13 years later, where they raised two children, and have lived there ever since. Ruth is a Holocaust survivor. more

Highlighting the creative work of about 40 students was the primary mission behind the sixth annual “Imagination & Innovation is Everywhere,” a spring arts and science festival at Kulanu last week. “This was a forum to showcase artwork that we’ve incorporated into our daily curriculum,” said Ray Guarneri, technology teacher at Kulanu, a Cedarhurst school for special-needs individuals. more

After two intense days of religious ceremonies in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, unscheduled photo opportunities, and debilitating traffic arrangements, Israelis and interfaith relations experts are trying to attach the appropriate symbolism to Pope Francis’s visit to the region. more

Rabbi Kenneth Hain, rav of Beth Sholom in Lawrence, spoke at the Memorial Day commemoration in Andrew J. Parise Park. more

It was like a shot heard round the world. The leader of the Catholic Church was visiting Bethlehem Sunday to pray at the separation barrier built by Israel to prevent terrorists from killing Israelis. The purportedly impromptu event brought cheers from the Palestinians and propagandists who call the fence an apartheid wall. more

Charity fundraisers range from bake sales and learnathons to marathons and bikeathons, but social service agency Ohel decided to go over the top to raise money. Literally. more

Serious Jewish legal discussions are not unusual in the Five Towns, and a triple-header of high-level Torah discourse exported from Israel came to enlighten a Tish in Cedarhurst, the Irving Place Minyan in Woodmere, and Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, on Shabbat Bechukotai. more

More than 80 posters were on display at the Touro College 3rd Annual Research Day, an event that showcases original research by faculty and students while celebrating the contributions Touro has made in basic sciences, clinical practice, social work, law, economics, mathematics, and public health. more