Well, it is almost here, Election Day, that is. In just two weeks the nation goes to the polls to elect the next president and the excitement can be felt in just about every social venue, with this column being no exception. more

Smiles 4 A Lifetime has been the premier dental office in the Five Towns for more than 4 decades. more

“Hi, good morning, I just wanted to note the Oct 12th paper ‘The crouching sin,’ by Rabbi Avi Billet was outstanding, outstanding, loved it and spent the whole week talking about it, debating it, he’s wonderful, loved it, thank you. That’s it.” Editor’s note: It was delightful to have received this voice message, but the caller didn’t leave her name or her phone number. Please be back in touch. more

The thirtieth debate of this presidential season (including all the GOP primary debates) took place in our ancestral homeland—not Israel, the other one, Boca Raton. And while many of the town’s residents may have been asleep when the debate began, this third and last contest between the two presidential candidates may have been the most interesting from a strategic standpoint. more

In a last minute scramble, Sh’or Yoshuv managed to confirm its status as a college in New York State, to retain state funding for their students. more

Rebbe Levi Yitzchak, the Berditchever Rebbe (1740 – 1809), was a truly powerful personality. Under his leadership, the Jews of Berditchev were so imbued with eagerness to do mitzvoth, that they rose earlier than usual on the day a newborn was to be circumcised. They wanted to perform the mitzvah even before davening. Yet, on one occasion, the bris milah of the rebbe’s own grandson was delayed until late afternoon. Why? more

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, founding chief rabbi of the Israeli city of Efrat, and founding rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, spent last Shabbos in Woodmere where he spoke at both Irving Place Minyan and Young Israel of Woodmere. more

Sweaty palms and a racing heart may be part of the voting process on Election Day. A recent study found measurable increases in the levels of a stress-related hormone in people who were tested immediately before voting. In a study of voters on the way to the polling station published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology, those tested had almost three times the level of cortisol, also known as the “fight or flight” hormone, than the level of cortisol in a control group. more

After years of praying and hoping, letter writing and vigils, students from DRS, SKA and Rambam Mesivta were able to meet with Gilad Shalit and members of his army unit over the course of a ten-day visit to the United States. more

Oct 20 Making Marriages Great! National Council of Young Israel and Young Israel of Jamaica Estates present the Highly Acclaimed Shalom Workshop Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, MA Esther Friedman, MSW - Director Young Israel of Jamaica Estates 83-10 188th Street Jamaica, New York Pre-registration required Free for YIJE members; $15 per couple for nonmembers For more information 212-929-1525 or jsteinig@youngisrael.org Or online at www.youngisrael.org/marriage more