In 1921, Herbert Samuel, the British high commissioner of Mandatory Palestine, appointed Haj Amin al-Husseini grand mufti of Jerusalem. It would prove to be a mistake. Husseini would spend his … more

One of my favorite winter foods is muffins. While muffins are good anytime of the year, there is something special about them in the cold weather. They are warm and sweet and often filled with fruits … more

By Lauren Lillien Issue of Dec. 12, 2008 / 15 Kislev 5769 A few months ago I wrote an article in The Jewish Star discussing the state of shidduchim from my perspective. As a single woman, I … more

By Masada Siegel Issue of August 13, 2010/ 3 Elul, 5770 Ireland is the land of fairies, folklore and haunted castles. Influential writers and poets from W.B. Yeats to James Joyce found their … more

The first of the twelve steps is admitting you have an addiction and I am man enough to admit that I have a terrible addiction to soda. I started young when I was in my early teens with gateway sodas like Sprite and Sunkist Orange and eventually it turned into a full-blown Coke habit. By the time I was in college, I was experimenting will all sorts of exotic drinks like Tahitian Treat, Surge, and even Pepsi Blue. Today, with shame, I admit that if you had gone into my dorm at YU and checked my mini fridge you would have found no less than three different flavors of Mountain Dew at any given time. more

Last Tuesday (4/10) began the first official week of the real Presidential campaign. With Rick Santorum’s announcement that he was suspending his campaign, the battle was finally joined, Republicans ended the circular firing squad of the GOP primary season and turned their attention to President Obama. more

According to the teachings of Rav Kook, while most blessings are of rabbinic origin, one of the most popular ones is to be found in this week’s parsha, Eikev, the Grace After Meals - Birkat HaMazon. more

In his letter to the editor [“The president, not Dunetz view, changed,” July 5], Michael Brenner asked. “One wonders: Did Jeff Dunetz change his mind, or is it just that the party in the White House changed?” If Mr. Brenner had read my article more closely he might have noticed this paragraph where I talked about my change of opinion: more

Three thousand years ago, King Solomon wrote in the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. “A time to sing, and a time to dance, a time to rejoice and a time to mourn, a time to reap and a time to sow.” And, like all things, there is a time to ask questions and a time to remain silent." In the Israeli army, there is a type of question known as a she’elat kitbag or kitbag question. more

Last week, my son Jeremy got engaged. To say I was thrilled is an understatement. I could not have picked a more perfect girl for him. Darya is charming, delightful, intelligent, fun loving, beautiful, caring and sweet. more