I’m going to start with a confession. When my younger son told me that he and his Israeli girlfriend would be heading to Italy for a short vacation in a month or so, my brow furrowed immediately. … more

When I was in high school, my mother arranged for me to get a ride to school once a week with one of the teachers. We lived in Manhattan, and as the high school I attended was in Riverdale, having a … more

If you’re worried about the fate of global Jewry, well … it’s not getting any better. Actually, it’s getting worse. Never before have Jews assimilated into Western societies this … more

Eliot Engel listened. He spoke with clarity and purpose. And he never forgot where he came from; he never forgot his Jewish roots. Rep. Eliot Engel, who passed away on April 10 … more

M ore than 60 years ago, I and about a dozen of my fellow Yeshiva classmates were preparing for our semicha examinations. A committee of several esteemed rabbis helped us prepare for and eventually … more

We’re sandwiched between some interesting ideas this week. Last Shabbat, we read Kedoshim and the command to be holy and live a life of distinctiveness. Next week is Lag B’Omer, which, among … more

I will be honest with you. When Sefiras HaOmer comes around, my first thought is usually about the itch of an unshaved beard and the longing for my favorite music that I cannot listen to during this … more

In its account of the festivals of the Jewish year, this week’s parsha contains the following statement: For seven days you shall live in huts [succot]. All those native-born in Israel must … more

Former Riverdale resident Chantal Belzberg received the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement, the country’s highest civilian honor, for her work supporting victims of terror and their families. … more

Soups are perfect starters for any meal, holiday or otherwise. Some can even be a complete meal for a hurried spring evening when people are rushing to get to sports events, meetings, and more. And … more