Considering that America was the home of the cocoa bean, chocolate arrived relatively late to the American colonies, in about 1775. Not long after in 1765, Dr. James Baker and John Hannon set up a chocolate factory. It is claimed to be the first chocolate factory in the United States.  Today it is known as Baker’s German Sweet Chocolate. more

Dear Aviva I work at an extremely demanding job. The hours are brutal and I often have to work weekends as well. I find it stimulating and challenging and I love the paycheck. The problem is that I just got married a few months ago and I know that I am neglecting my wife. She is not complaining at all (she is amazing), but I feel like I am missing out on making the most of my new life with her. I feel really guilty about it, and a little short changed as well. How can I make the most of what I have? -Wishing Were With Wife more

I like Facebook. It should be as simple as that. So why should I feel the need to defend my time spent using that social medium, when I’m only one of 800 million active users today? I have connections with both close and distant friends on Facebook, have reunited with old elementary school chums and made new acquaintances that have turned into friendships. more

His legacy includes the Chasidic families of Kapitznitzer, Novominsker, Boyaner, Apter, and Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev. more

My earliest memories of learning Torah revolve around Avraham Avinuh, who has maintained his stature as one of my greatest and most cherished heroes. more

Tonight, New Hampshire voters said enough. With months of televised debates and one caucus, voters in the Granite State said they are ready for the primary season to end, the real campaign to begin and they want Mitt Romney to be their candidate. The former governor of Massachusetts did what he needed to, he topped the field and garnered around 37% of the vote, beating Ron Paul the Congressman from somewhere west of Mars who place second with a little less than a quarter of the vote, and Jon Huntsman in third, twenty points behind the leader. more

Within days of each other, Nassau County Police Department has reported two unrelated incidents of swastika graffiti both in the 6th Precinct, one in Great Neck, the other in SeaCliff. more

The second phase of the Young Israel of Woodmere’s “it takes a shul to make a match” shidduch initiative took place Tuesday night with an intense evening of brainstorming and networking in an effort to find a suitable match for local singles affiliated with shul members. more

The Shabbos table is beautifully set. The candles radiate a holy glow. The young, adorable children are sitting around the table. The mother is standing silently and Kiddush is about to be made. The cup is taken in hand and sounded are the majestic words heralding Hashem’s treasure to the Jewish People by her ten year old desperately trying to recreate the family he, his siblings, and his mother had only months earlier. more

When the son of an Israeli Irgun member, left the White House to run for mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel left a void not quite filled by his replacement Bill Daley. In many respects Daley was not able to fill the shoes for the President. He could not get the respect of those he needed on the Hill and even within the Administration to be an effective advocate for Mr. Obama. So when Daley seemingly abruptly resigned this week, there was no hesitation before New Yorker, and perennial Washington insider Jack Lew, an Orthodox Jew, was called on to step in. more