On Aug. 25, 1859, Italian archaeologist and engineer Ermette Pierotti tried to sneak into the sanctuary at the Cave of the Patriarchs — Me’arat Machpelah — with the assistance … more

A great scholar of anti-Semitism once told me that there was one country that frustrated him when it came to its understanding of the extent and depth of Jew-hatred: Israel. While this … more

The parsha of Matot begins with a passage about vows and oaths and their annulment. It uses vocabulary that was later to be adopted and adapted for Kol Nidrei, the annulment of vows on the eve of … more

The latest report by the “Stop Antisemitism” monitoring group regarding antisemitism on US university campuses paints a dark picture. Fifty-five percent of students surveyed report … more

For the first time since their departure from Egypt, the Israelites do something together. They sing. “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel.” R. Nehemiah in the Talmud Sotah … more

Nefesh B’Nefesh’s 64th chartered aliyah flight brought 215 olim frm the United States and Canada to Ben Gurior Airport, last week. Onboard were 22 families with 75 children, 15 … more

The most influential man who ever lived does not appear on any list I have seen of the hundred most influential men who ever lived. He ruled no empire, commanded no army, engaged in no spectacular … more

Every ending is a new beginning. When we conclude each of the five books of the Torah (as we did last week) the reader leads the congregation in the refrain “chazak chazak … more

Issue of Sept. 19, 2008 Lawrence - Congregation Beth Sholom will host a Selichot forum on Saturday Night, September 20 at 10:30 p.m., "What Jewish PARENTS Need to Know About Their Kids," … more

Issue of Dec. 26, 2008 / 29 Kislev 5769 Oceanside - The Friedberg JCC is holding tryouts for the 2009 JCC Maccabi games: There will be a coed tennis team, a coed swim team, and a boys basketball … more