Children should not only be vaccinated against childhood diseases, but they should also be “vaccinated” against child abuse, according to two Jewish educators, one from New York, one from Los Angeles. A hard-cover children’s book published by Artscroll, and available since January for a minimal fee as an audio downloadable book, and elementary school programs are among the attempts of educators to arm children in an emotional and psychological form of self-defense against potential predators. more

As each Jewish holiday approaches, music fans search the Internet in anticipation wondering: will the Maccabeats produce a new song for this upcoming chag? They’ve targeted Chanukah and Rosh Hashanah and Purim, and sort of spoofed Sukkot, but now they’ve taken on Pesach, seeing a connection between the words and music of Les Miserables and the story of Passover. more

In the wake of the assault of a local high school student in Cedarhurst one evening last week, adults and teens from Bais Tefilah met to hear a police officer discuss safety this past Monday night. more

As the cleaning, buying and cooking for Pesach intensifies and gradually abates on the morning before the seder, the Woodmere Fire Department comes to the rescue again, providing a safe, supervised chametz burning by the firehouse for the community. more

There may be court challenges of Nassau County’s new legislative map that was approved last week. The County Legislature approved the controversial plan along party lines on March 5, with the 10 Republicans voting in favor of the new map and the nine Democrats voting against it. more

Sometimes, heroes are the most ordinary people, who rise to the most extraordinary occasions. Like Noam Apter. Friday night: White tablecloths and china, the sweet light of the Shabbat candles, and the singing of Shalom Aleichem, a song of peace that begins every Shabbat dinner in every Jewish home. No matter where Jews have been, and how unwelcoming and challenging the world around them has been, they are still singing of peace on Friday nights. And this particular Friday night in the Yeshiva at Otniel was no different. Except that while the students of this yeshiva and their families were singing of peace, no one heard the silent click of wire cutters slicing through the security fence. more

In 1941, the few children hiding in a cellar didn`t really know when Pesach occurred; they lost all touch of time after they lost their families....But when they saw a bit of green growing through the tiny window, they realized that spring was coming, and with it, Pesach. They asked the old man, who had agreed to look after them, to give them a bit of flour and water, matches and some paper. It was a very unusual Seder that year... more

A number of Midrashim pose the question (ascribed either to Rabbi Yoseh, Yosi, or Dosa), “Why do children begin learning the [Chumash] from the section about korbanot [offerings]?” And the answer is, “Because just as the korbanot are pure, so are the children pure.” more

Mar.17 Chabad of the Five Towns On Sunday, March 17 at 11 a.m., the Hebrew School will conduct a model Seder. Call Rabbi Meir Geisinsky at (516) 295-2478 x19. On Sunday, March 17 at noon, after Hebrew school, a family trip to the Ohel for personal prayer and marking the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s birthday. Call Rabbi Meir Geisinsky at (516) 295-2478. From Sunday, March 17 to Friday, March 22, meet the rabbi to sell your chometz. Call Rabbi Schneur Wolowik at (516) 295-2478 x11 for an appointment. more

Some of the Midreshet Shalhevet students currently in Midrashot in Israel met with Shalhevet Menahelet Mrs. Esther Eisenman (second from right, seated) in Yerushalayim one evening this past week. “It was wonderful to see the girls and see that even after close to a year after graduation they are still close as a group,” said Mrs. Eisenman upon her return to New York. more