There is an old story about a wedding that was attended by a prominent rabbi. The rabbi sat with the groom at his tish and throughout remained silent while others offered words of congratulations, heaping praise of the bride. At one point one of the rabbi’s students came up to him and asked “Isn’t it customary to always say something positive about a bride to her groom on the day of her wedding?” more

The exact origins of Kol Nidrei are lost in the sands of time. One of the earliest sources regarding our present practice is found in a responsum of Rav Natronai Gaon. It is quoted in the commentary of Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel, known as the “Rosh,” to Talmud Bavli, Yoma, 8:28: more

In our tradition, the High Holidays are viewed as a time period when all of humanity, not just its Jews, are judged for the coming year. more

To the Editor: The article “ Charity Watchdog Downgrades Leading Nonprofits”[Jewish Star, Sept. 28] reflects the realities of the heightened scrutiny to which all charitable organizations are now subjected. The past few years have seen the requisites with which the non-profits must comply significantly ramped up, and what sufficed a year ago will not necessarily constitute compliance today. more

To paraphrase Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, “Lord I know we are your chosen people, but once in a while, can’t you have Mel Gibson choose someone else?” more

Sound of a shofar stirs a soul Honey activates taste buds Verbalized wishes for a sweet New year Health happiness success blessings more

The Facebook-driven election is on, with a wide variety of candidates vying to top the chart of this year’s Jewish Community Heroes, a contest sponsored by The Jewish Federations of North America. Among the 306 contenders are nine from Long Island, ranging from a challah baker to a collector of shoah survivor stories. more

The attendees at a lecture for Orthodox single parents were shy initially, but conversations developed, as they spoke of greater acceptance of divorcees in the community. more

Judaica Press has recently reissued the classic, “The Practical Guide To Teshuvah” by Rabbi Shaul Wagschal as an apt companion to Rabbi Wegbreit’s sefer. more

In his preface to this week’s review selection, “The Power of Aleinu” by Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit [Judaica Press, 2011], Rabbi Yisrael Reisman stated that, “It is the custom of Klal Yisrael to recite Aleinu in the middle of the Shemonah Esrei on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. more