Our natural inclination at this time of the year is to focus upon the phrase zecher l’yetziat Mitzrayim — a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt. After all, one of the major mitzvot of … more

As we saw in Parshat Tazria, the Sages identify tzara’at — the condition that affects human skin, the fabric of garments, and the walls of a house — not as an illness but as a … more

I no longer remember the name of my ninth-grade teacher of English literature. But I do remember well one of his important lessons. He taught us that there are many great works of literature … more

Two sets of Jewish bones were found this past week. One was in Brest, Belarus. The other — after 37 years of waiting — was the remains of IDF Sergeant Zecharya Baumel, killed in the … more

One might expect that after the recent controversy about anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party, it would try to avoid anti-Jewish acts and people. Sadly, that expectation was not … more

I believe in the Jewish people’s right to live in our homeland. That profound belief has no bearing on the rights of others to live here as well. … more

The last few months has been an especially painful time to be Jewish in the United States. Hate crimes against Jews are on the rise; in New York City, for instance, a majority of the city’s … more

For critics of the pro-Israel community and President Donald Trump, it was the ultimate “gotcha” moment. After months of having to listen to Jews and friends of Israel pointing out … more

South Africa’s Jewish community, battling an environment where the most extreme anti-Zionist tropes have become normalized, understandably welcomed a vote by the University of Cape … more

Rabbi Yaakov Bender is perhaps one of the premier Jewish educators in our community today, both here on Long Island and nationwide. Thus, the publication of his take on the Pesach Haggadah, The … more