Dear Mr. Newspaper: I am writing to your Jewish paper to tell you what’s on my mind. I am a Jew who lives in the neighborhood. Not exactly in the middle of the town but not far from it and I have lived here for many years. Maybe not as many years as some other people, but still probably longer than many, or at least most or some. more

Dear Aviva, I feel very silly writing about this and don’t know if you will even publish it, but I have a sheitel problem. I’ve had the same one since I got married 6 years ago. It’s outdated, stretched and not even my color anymore. Plus, I never liked the cut. But I can’t afford a new one, and I literally cry almost every morning when I put it on to leave for work. I think I’ve scared my husband. And then I feel guilty for being petty. Not to mention the guilt of starting to hate the mitzvah of covering my hair. more

On the day we gathered for the opening of the new Manischewitz headquarters, the weather was beating down in a rhythmic thrum that alternated between glorious sunshine and dismal rain. Reporters, distributors, politicians and various kosher foodies all struggled to stay huddled under the event registration tent. They told us all about the storied history of this 123-year-old company that is easily the most recognizable kosher brand on the market. more

Calendar for the week of June 24, 2011 more

“How was Israel, Sam?” I get that a lot. And I never really know what to say. But not because I don’t know how Israel was. Rather, I am at a loss for how I could possibly summarize my experience in a few words of small talk. “It was great” falls so short of the mark. more

He spent a decade growing at Kulanu, and as he graduates from its most senior program, Far Rockaway resident Yoni Olenick, 21, recounts the variety of Kulanu options that transformed him to an active and outspoken member of the local Jewish community, an advocate and role model. more

The headlines are blaring and talk radio is shouting of the recent conversion of noted award winning playwright and author David Mamet from political liberal to activist conservative, a rare commodity among the Hollywood elite. more

One of the most ancient tales from the Torah has been created in the newest style of computer-generated animation, forming a three-dimensional world of characters and cities. It’s the combination of old text with modern animation that’s turning heads. “Young Avraham: From the Ancient Stories of the Israelites” is a high quality film that relates the story of Abraham and his quest to prove that G-d is not made of stone and can be discovered through the conscious mind. The film spans the first 75 years of Abraham’s life, revealing a little known story from Medrashic texts. more

Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank likes to write about subjects for which he has a very strong opinion, but very little knowledge. Milbank’s June 17th column, “Joe Lieberman joining Glenn Beck: a shanda” proves Milbank would not know a shanda if one jumped up, kissed him on the lips and wished him a Gut Shabbos. more

After the sudden cancellation of the Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism (YIISA) earlier this month, the famed university reversed its decision by launching a revamped initiative on June 20, dubbed the Yale Program for the Study of Anti-Semitism (YPSA). more