Dear Aviva, I’ve been married 3 months and have been trying to get my husband to come with me to therapy since we got engaged. He’s a very private person and refuses to talk to anyone about anything private in his life. We’ve had a few disagreements in the past and they always blow up into huge arguments. I really think therapy would help us figure out how to communicate better, but I can’t seem to get him to agree to go to one. Any ideas? Thanks. -Befuddled Bride more

I am happy to note and bring to your attention the latest volume in the Mitoch HaOhel series of essays by the staff of Yeshiva University, “From Within the Tent: The Haftarot,” published by Maggid / Koren Books. This comprehensive 700-page work contains a series of scholarly essays on every haftarah on the Jewish calendar, written exclusively by a distinguished group of rabbis and professors from Yeshiva University. What makes this particular work most relevant to our community is an essay written by Woodmere resident Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman, dealing with some unique medical aspects relating to this coming week’s haftarah for Parshat Vayera. more

This past Sunday I was fortunate to experience an obvious case of Divine Providence: Chocolate! This was a result of my meeting Marvin Baum, director of Baum Image Group, a company dealing with high-tech digital imaging systems, which I encounter in my line of work as a radiologist. more

There was no safer place to be on this crisp Fall Sunday morning than Great Neck Synagogue. Top police brass from Nassau County Police Department, police union leadership, elected officials, and ‘everything law enforcement ‘came out in droves on Nov. 6 to honor the Nassau County Shomrim Society’s Man of the Year, Detective Lieutenant Gary Shapiro, at their annual breakfast. more

Incumbent County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) defeated Democrat Adam Moser of Hewlett in the race for the 7th Legislative District seat on Tuesday. The unofficial vote count was 6,229 to 4,205. “I’m glad that the people were able to see through the nastiness and disinformation,” said Kopel, who described the campaign as “ugly” and added that it was full of “lies and half-truths.” more

In the latest example of its sophistication and political influence, Agudath Israel hosted a dozen local elected officials at its second annual legislative breakfast near Wall Street. This year’s theme addresses security concerns, speakers included elected officials, U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, and Jarrod Bernstein, who was recently appointed as President Obama’s liaison to the Jewish community. “We’ve realized an unprecedented level of military cooperation with the state of Israel,” said Bernstein. more

At 4:15 a.m. on Thursday, Mayer Gold, the owner of Seasons, a kosher supermarket in Cedarhurst, received a call from Moshe Ratner, the general manager of Gourmet Glatt Emporium, another kosher supermarket. more

Our parsha, in conjunction with parshiot Vayera and Chayeh Sarah, is preeminently the story of Avraham Avinu (our father Abraham). We first meet him, however, in the persona of Avram (Abram) at the end of Parashat Noach. At this juncture in time, we have no indication that Avram will become Avraham and lead the greatest spiritual revolution in human history. more

It was three years ago; America elected a president who was going to repair our relationship with the world, particularly the Muslim world, after eight years of that “cowboy” George W. Bush. Regretfully, our “relationship repairer-in-chief” has presided over an increased divide between with the Muslim nations, and managed to create a rift with Israel, our most reliable ally in the region. more

Dear Aviva, I’m not sure if I have a problem or not. My friends and a few random strangers are making me think that I do. I like to be different. So when I go to a simcha, I don’t want to blend in with the typical black dress. I like color and flair, and unique clothing and accessories. I like to be noticed. I always dress tzniusdik, but I know that I stand out. My husband has no problem with how I dress, but my friends make comments that I should dress softer, and I do see people whispering and looking at me sometimes. Do I have a problem? -Flamboyantly Fashionable more