If last year’s YouTube viral sensation adapted pop songs to Jewish holidays in a capella, this year is ranging with rebellion, with music videos by the Groggers posted on nearly everyone’s Facebook profile wall. “It resonates with all of us marginally religious New Yorkers,” said fan Michael Fishman, 32, of Manhattan. “Anyone who’s ever been on a bad shidduch date or tried doing the Upper West Side thing.” more

As a personal chef, I am sometimes asked by clients, to recommend a signature, mouthwatering dish, that is sure to “wow” their guests. Without hesitation, I always offer my favorite appetizer; baby lamb chops in pastry dough smothered in mushroom sauce.   more

Were one to examine Yisrael’s attitude towards going to Egypt, it would be hard to convince us that he was apprehensive about the trip. When he heard Yosef was alive and was convinced by the sight of the wagons that he would be reunited with his favorite son, “His spirit became alive. He said, ‘... I will go and see him before I die.’” (45:27-28) more

This is the time of year for lists, everything from the best movies of the year, the top news stories of the year, best political quotes, etc. The list that few if any outlets report is the one of stories that were important and should have received wide-spread coverage, but were ignored by the mainstream media. Reports that would show the other side of an issue, and the lack of reporting is just more evidence that the mainstream media is in the tank for the progressive movement. What follows are my picks for the ten most important under-reported political stories that in 2011. more

For anyone who has not been paying attention lately, President Barack Obama has been making greater attempts to demonstrate just how dedicated he is to Israel and therefore, to Jews in America. Among some, and not that it really matters, a debate rages as to whether Obama has been the best or the worst president for Jews, and in this election year we can be assured of one certainty; both sides will make the claim that benefits their own candidate for the White House, but what is the truth and what is hyperbole? more

Our shul, Congregation Bais Tefilah of Woodmere ,under the direction of Rabbi Shaya Richmond, hosted a shul wide Siyum this past Shabbat, Shabbat Chanukah. more

A crowd of over 150 guests piled into Masbia this past Monday night to be treated food, gifts and live music. Philanthropy for the Future, hosted this incredible night at Masbia, helping Masbia feed almost double the amount of people that they usually feed at their Midwood location. more

On the landscape of Israel, the most daring generation of Jewish youth since the Maccabees and Bar Kocha are the veterans of 1948, who forever changed Jewish and world history. Now elderly and frail their spirit has not faded as they now set to serve again opening the Shomrei HaAm youth leadership training centers in Cedarhurst, Flatbush and Herzliya, Israel. Under the leadership of my father, the famed Palmach Commander Mordechai Schwartz, otherwise known as Motzik HaGrazan, Motzik the Axeman, and his comrade, Michael “Mike” Shamah, they are trailblazing a new initiative in Jewish leadership aptly called “Real As 48”. more

A bible teacher from Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) High School led a room of more than 50 breakfasting listeners through a whirlwind, eye-opening lecture on the Jewish originators and founders of Christianity. more

Calendar for the week of 12/23/2011 more