In America, the common image of rap artists is to challenge authority, but for the Israeli Consulate in New York, the presence of popular Israeli rap band Hadag Hahash underscores the country’s message to the world. “It’s very important to remember that there is life in Israel and this is a celebration of life,” said Yuli Edelstein, the Israeli Minister for Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs. more

Dear Aviva, I’ve been friends with someone for the past 20 years. We grew up near each other and were in school together from elementary all the way to college. Now that we both have our own families, I am realizing more and more that she is (and has always been) a very jealous and negative person. She never seems to actually care about me or what I’m going through. I don’t even know why she’s kept up the connection this long. If I first met her at this point in my life, I probably would avoid her. Am I stuck with her just because there is a history? And is there any good way to cut ties without enraging her? more

At 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Mayer Gold, the owner of Seasons kosher supermarket in Cedarhurst, received a call from Moshe Ratner, the general manager of Gourmet Glatt Emporium, informing him of a fire at Gourmet Glatt, with deliveries that needed a place to go. Without hesitation Gold jumped in to help. Glatt’s deliveries went to Seasons and nearly 20 Gourmet Glatt employees are currently working at Seasons, alongside Seasons’ employees and Seasons will remain open to midnight Thursday to accommodate shoppers. more

Anyone with a particular skill usually wants to show it off; great singers love to sing in public, people gifted with comic timing love to tell jokes, a great negotiator loves to negotiate, and a financial planner loves to plan people’s finances. more

“Someone has to say, ‘the way we’re heading is not working,’” says Dr. David Sussman, a 17-year member of the Lawrence Board of Education. Sussman sees himself as that person. The 62-year-old Republican, who grew up in Cedarhurst, and graduated from Lawrence High School, officially announced his candidacy on Wednesday, June 6, from his Cedarhurst headquarters, challenging long-time incumbent Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg in the November general election. more

Elliot was among 37 high school students to participate in the SciTech program at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa — an innovative program for high school juniors and seniors with a demonstrated interest and ability in science and technology. Now in its 19th year, SciTech gives young students the chance to carry out research (in English) in a broad range of fields alongside Israel’s top scientific researchers, while experiencing dorm living and befriending peers from all over the world. Participants this year came from eight U.S. states, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Serbia and Israel. more

Ten years ago this week, the world watched as the son of a Holocaust survivor conveyed a message of faith, hope and survival from the height of achievement in a display of unity of purpose, only to later watch his and his crew mates untimely death. On Thursday, January 31, at 10:30 pm, PBS WNET NY, Channel 13, will premiere Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope, the story of Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon on the 10th anniversary of the shuttle disaster. more

On the second day of Shavuot last year, 24-year-old Rebekah Frucht unfortunately left this world, causing great heartache to all those who knew her. On May 7, a gathering in her memory was held at the Young Israel of Woodmere. more

On Central Avenue, in the kosher supermarkets, in shul, or on the LIRR, you hear the same conversation. “What?! Rosh Hashanah is next week!?” And then the dreaded “three day yom tov — oy!” I wonder why, every year, everyone is so surprised that’s it’s already yom tov time. Truth is, it has been three months since the start of June. Kids were packed off to camp, parents went on vacation and we partook in lots of family and friends BBQs, lounged in our backyards, and enjoyed the lazy days of summer (some of us more than others, but it’s ok, I’m not jealous … well, yes I am, but this isn’t about me). more

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy will not seek reelection to a 10th term later this year. more