A Fourth Precinct police officer discovered a three foot by three foot swastika drawn in white chalk in the roadway in Point Lookout this Saturday while on routine patrol. more

“In the art world people always say ‘start with and conquer what you know first before heading into different topics’. My family was the best thing I knew,” says filmmaker Paula Finkelstein Eiselt, referring to her maternal uncle Boruch, the inspiration for the upcoming documentary “Followng Boruch.” Eiselt, a native of Merrick and Woodmere, is a HAFTR alum and a 2008 graduate of the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts filmmaking program. more

What is the best kept secret in this neighborhood? Where can you learn, create, and experience something special six days a week? How can one benefit from a broad range of support services from early childhood to senior citizen age? Which organization benefits 16,000 individualsat 18 locations in the Greater Five Towns and beyond? more

The older kids are in sleep away camp and most have gotten over the trauma (and expense) of sending them off. Now it’s time to send the little ones to day camp. In my day, day camp meant walking to the YMHA on 14th Ave in Boro Park. more

Volunteers are at the heart and soul of every community-based nonprofit organization and those who give of their time, without pay, truly make a big difference in the lives of others. Recently, five outstanding volunteers were honored by the JCC of the Greater Five Towns for their contributions in helping to improve the lives of those served by the JCC. The volunteer recognition ceremony was held at the JCC’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 27th where Arnold “Arnie” Waldman of Woodmere was sworn in as President of the JCC’s Board of Directors and former president Dr. Kenneth Berman was named Chairman of the Board.  more

A recent study found that watching media coverage of terrorist attacks increased the intensity of pain in those already suffering from chronic pain and elevated feelings of stress as well. more

On July 3, Iran claimed to have successfully tested missiles capable of hitting Israel. At the same time, Israel said that it could strike Iran if the efforts at diplomacy fail to stop it from developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Calling it the “Great Prophet 7” missile exercise, Iran launched its test on Sunday after the European embargo against Iranian oil went into effect. In invoking the name of the Prophet Muhammad for their missile test, there should be no questions to anyone, including President Obama, that the Iranian leadership are extremists, and seemingly willing to head into a devastating war to impose what it interprets to be the will of God and prophet. Neither money, nor sanctions can alter divine will, and that is what those who tread lightly with Iran seem to miss. more

At the beginning of Chapter 24, the Torah informs of us of Bilaam’s third attempt to curse the Israelites – which will once again turn into a blessing, in this case, the most famous of the three. “When Bilaam realized that G-d desired to bless Israel, he did not seek out the occult forces (“nechashim”) as he had done before. Instead, he set his gaze toward the desert. When Bilaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel dwelling at peace by tribes, G-d’s spirit was on him.” more

I remember, as a high school student, hearing our Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shlomo Riskin relate one of the questions he used to ask when interviewing prospective rebbe’im (rabbinic teachers) for our yeshiva high school. more