Once again the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom of 76 years ago serves as an opportunity for our community to reprise the horror of those days. This year’s review will be devoted to … more

One of the most charismatic young rabbis in education today is Rabbi Aryeh Cohen, the Mashgiach Ruchani at the DRS High School in Woodmere. Recently Rabbi Cohen assembled in book form … more

With Sukkot just around the corner, here is my list of some fine readings for your consideration during the upcoming feast.   From “Torah TO-GO Sukkot 5775,” there’s … more

With Yom Kippur just a day away and Sukkos next week, this week’s essay will bring to your attention several books and essays devoted to the themes of teshuvah, repentance in the Jewish … more

As a follow-up to last week’s essay on music and its role in our faith’s observances, consider the following sent to me this week by one of Israel’s leading theologians, Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, entitled, “The Divine Word Is Deadly, Only A Melody Can Rescue It.” more

With Labor Day now safely behind us, it is time to give serious thought to the upcoming High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. For this week, I will focus on the importance that music plays in the liturgy of this sacred season. more

With the increasing concern over worldwide violence against Jews, and of the political defense of such behavior, much debate has focused upon the origins of such conduct as well as to numerous strategies aimed at quelling it. This week’s column will survey the historical and theologically-based origins that are behind these actions. more

This coming Shabbat heralds the upcoming High Holiday season with the ritual of the blessing of the dates for Rosh Chodesh Elul, to be observed on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 26 and 27. The following reading suggestions are made to help enhance the spiritual aspects of the new month. more

This week’s parasha, the third from the book of Devorim, is Ekev, where we learn of the sole Biblical source for the mitzva to recite Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals. more

Over the past few years, rabbi and singer, Shlomo Katz has become one of the most prominent interpreters of the musical legacy of Reb Shlomo Carlebach. This legacy has recently been reflected in a new book published in Israel by Mosaica Press, entitled “The Soul of Jerusalem: Teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,” consisting of the texts of stories of Rabbi Carlebach as compiled by Rabbi Katz. more