When Shakespeare wrote “all the world’s a stage,” he must not have been thinking of frum actresses. Because until very recently, there have been few local outlets for religious girls to express themselves, which is why West Hempstead resident Rina Hirsch founded the Drama for Life! theater program for girls on Long Island. more

In the battles that round out the end of Parshat Chukat, Moshe and the Israelites defeat Sichon and Og, and their respective nations. Before the battle with Og, Moshe is told by G-d not to fear for “I have given him into your hands.” (21:34) more

Sunday June 19th, 2011, two weeks ago, witnessed yet another sad episode in the struggle for the soul of America. more

This week, ten boats carrying approximately 600 anti-Israel activists will be approaching the waters surrounding the Gaza Strip. It is not known whether there will be some sort of confrontation as there was last year when a fl otilla, run by Turkish terrorists, attacked members of the IDF as they attempted to board the ship and turn it around. more

This week Delta Airlines received much criticism as Saudi Arabia Airlines joined the alliance of airlines, which Delta is a part of. As Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel, as Saudi Arabia is known for grave human rights violations, and as Saudi Arabia requests information from its passengers regarding their religion in order to maintain some of their apartheid cities, Delta’s new bed partner is causing them some insomnia. more

Cold; so cold it cuts through the rags that were once clothes, straight to the bone.Cold; so cold it cuts through the rags that were once clothes, straight to the bone. There was a time this cold so occupied your very being you could concentrate on nothing else. But that was long ago. Darkness; so dark it sometimes seems more than the mere absence of light; it seems almost tangible. You vaguely recall a time when you were obsessed with determining exactly where you were, pacing in the darkness to examine your environs. You figured out you were in some sort of a concrete cell, perhaps six feet square, but not much more than that. You used to wonder what color the walls were, never having been allowed to see them, but that curiosity has long ago been replaced with more basic needs. more

The month known for marriages will now include same-sex unions, following a closely watched June 24 vote by the New York State Senate recognizing gay marriage. Bitterly opposed by leading Orthodox organizations, the law makes New York the sixth and most populous state in the nation to recognize the unions. more

This week Jonathan Pollard was denied permission to pay a final hospice visit and to attend the funeral for his father Morris Pollard, 95. Pollard was given an unprecedented life sentence and has been in prison for 26 years despite pleas from congressmen, senators, and community and world leaders for his release. more

Misaskim, the Brooklyn-based organization best known for providing assistance to grieving families, has recently expanded its services with non-Jewish workers and assistance to fliers stranded on Shabbat in out-of-the-way locations. “Misaskim has a relationship with Continental, and our director is also the chaplain at the Port Authority Police,” said Misaskim coordinator Suri Roth. more

Letters to the Editor more