What is the connection between mufletot; the traditional blessing: “tirbechu vetis`adu”; and politicians? If you answered “maimuna”, you must be North African ... this traditional holiday, which begins immediately the night Pesach ends, and includes much feasting (especially eating “mufletot”) and politicians making appearances, has become a very Israeli holiday - bringing Jews of all sorts together. more

The storm-battered Long Beach Medical Center, which was slated to reopen its doors this week, is now eyeing a mid- to late-April opening. The 162-bed hospital has remained closed as it undergoes repairs, after 10 feet of water damaged the facility’s basement area, which housed not only its electrical, heating and mechanical systems but also its pharmacy, central supply and purchasing departments as well as a family care center. more

Never, as long as I live, will I forget that moment, when the sounds of children’s laughter on a beautiful, peaceful Jerusalem afternoon were shattered by the screams of terror and agony that are the music for the dance of the suicide bomber. more

All the Pesach dishes are packed, refrigerators, freezers and pantries restocked, that can only mean one thing (to me, at least)……baseball is back!!!!! I am an uber die hard Brave’s fan. I never miss a game. I either watch it at home, on my cell or tape it. more

The Jewish Star invites you to write about your community, your school, your shul, any topic that ties to the Jewish community. Get a byline, see your name in print and enhance your resume. more

Tragedy has struck. Aharon’s two older sons are dead, victims of their own efforts in bringing a ‘strange fire’ into the Mishkan. Now their corpses must be removed from a room only their father and brothers may enter, yet these very people are the ones who are prevented from entering because they have a job to do, and responsibilities which can not fall by the wayside – the inevitable outcome of their becoming “tameh” through contact with the deceased. more

Following a request from New York State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved an extension to April 13 for Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for disaster assistance with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). more

The untimely and completely supernatural death of Nadav and Avihu serves as one of the focal points of this week’s parasha. Nadav and Avihu were the sons of Aharon and Elisheva: “Aaron took to himself for a wife, Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” more

Today is a very special day. Today I celebrate my 55th birthday. I will no longer be called for reserve duty. From basic training when I was eighteen years old until today, 27 years have passed, nine of them in the service of my country. Nine years? Officers serve 45 days each year in the reserves. I am retiring as a lieutenant colonel. I decided to walk through Yerushalayim. I wanted to see the sights, smell the scents, listen to the sounds of the city as a civilian. more

In last week’s tribute to the sacrifice of Rabbi Menachem Ziemba, one of the scholars referenced was Rabbi Dr. Pesach Schindler, whose information concerning Rabbi Ziemba was crucial to my essay’s theme and purpose. In response to numerous inquiries concerning Dr. Schindler and in commemoration of the upcoming Yom Hashoah observances in our community, I am reprising several previous essays of his literary works on the Holocaust as well as works by others on this timely subject. more