I just returned from Washington, having attended my first AIPAC Policy Conference. This year’s event was the largest yet, with 10,000 delegates participating. I was incredibly proud to be one of these delegates, and overwhelmed by the strength and diversity of the pro-Israel movement. Among the attendees were Jews and non-Jews, both religious and secular, African Americans and Latinos, students and professionals, all there for one reason – to support Israel and keep her safe. more

Dear Aviva, My husband uses the computer too much. He claims that it’s for work, but I just don’t buy it. He’s online at all hours and it’s really starting to get to me. I can’t imagine what kind of work needs to be done the minute he comes home from work. I feel like he is just using it as an excuse to not help out with the kids or with the house. I feel like a nag, but I need this to stop. Am I overreacting? more

Outside of Orthodoxy, Shavuot is one of the lesser-known Jewish holidays. In an essay titled “Thoughts on Shavuot” from his book, “Angels for Shabbat,” Rabbi Marc Angel, director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals states quite eloquently: “Shavuot is the festival on which we recall the Revelation at Mount Sinai. It is also a good time to plan for a hypothetical second gathering of Israelites at Sinai – and to think carefully how we can envision such an event as an opportunity to bring us all together. more

The holiday of Shavuoth is coming and the teacher Rabbi Gevaltsky stands before his class and asks the bochurim, “can someone tell me about any of the Ten Commandments?” more

We are judged not by how we treat our kings and the elite of our society, but rather how we treat our prisoners. The case of Jonathan Pollard was, at first, a Pollard problem, then it was a blemish on Israel, and now it has become a United States travesty of justice. more

The art classes at S.K.A. and HAFTR were all filled with student-made banners portraying Israeli flags, kippot and themes of every respective yeshiva. As New York City prepares for the festivities celebrating Israel’s independence, Long Islanders are gearing up for a day of great tribute and emotion. more

To this day there are few things I enjoy more than fishing. When I was younger, my dad would take me quite frequently during the summer months. We would rise at the crack of dawn, grab our packed lunches, and drive out an hour to the pond. more

Calendar for the week of June 3, 2011 more

Letters to the Editor more

I did not come to Israel to learn Torah. At least not in the traditional sense. I wasn’t thirsting for more Gemara nor was I aching for Rambam’s insights on halacha. more