By the time this goes to print I will have escaped to Brooklyn for the holiday! I guess I’ve become a Purim party pooper since I’ve dropped out of the mishloach manot rat race. more

La fée verte, the Green fairy, or as it is more colloquially known absinthe, has been the emerald colored obsession of many a great artist. Oscar Wild thoroughly enjoyed it, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was hooked on it and Van Gogh practically bathed in it nightly. more

Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods. They’re an irresistible source of extraordinary flavors, textures, and aromas. more

There is an amazing story told about Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was on a speaking tour across India as part of his non-violent struggle for independence from the British. more

The Jewish movements that changed the face of Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries raised serious concerns about the nature of the Torah and how it stands the test of time. Many of the mitzvot of the Torah, for example, are not applicable in our day and age – highlighted by the lack of a Temple in Jerusalem. more

It was supposed to be a weekend of conflict between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel; it didn’t happen. Instead, we saw a President desperately trying to hold on to the Jewish vote--perhaps too hard. more

“My nightmare, I’ll tell you quite honestly is that at some stage [Ahmadinejad] will call a press conference and will embrace some kind of strategic weapon and say, ‘you guys continue talking, I appreciate very much all your tactical discussions, I already have it.’” more

Iran’s nuclear threat was the main topic at the America Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference in Washington, DC, this weekend. Two options for blunting it were debated — strong sanctions against Iran or congressional legislation authorizing American military action. Eli Hertz, a member of the Executive Council of AIPAC for 25 years, more

It was May 7, 2004 when Salim Joubran, was given a position on Israel’s Supreme Court.  When he became the first permanent member of the Court from the Israeli Arab community the world should have realized that Israel was in fact, a democracy like none else in its region.  Justice Joubran knew that as well, and he also knew what Israel was, why it was formed and how he managed to rise through its ranks as a Christian and not a Jew.  more

March 4 13th Annual Claire Kamhi Hachnossat Kallah Breakfast At the home of Nicole and Marc Gleitman, 128 Willlow Road, Woodsburgh Guest Speaker, Charlie Harary, Introductory remarks by Rabbi Eli Brazil 9:15 a.m. For more information please call (516) 650-0498 more