By Michael Fragin Issue of April 3, 2009 / 9 Nissan 5769 In state government jargon, the final deal between the powers that be in Albany, the one that sets the state budget is called “the … more

By Noah D. Gurock Exclusive for The Jewish Star Issue of July 17, 2009 / 25 Tammuz 5769 TEL AVIV-For Americans who watched Michael Phelps win eight gold medals last year at the Olympic … more

A review of the Last Ember and Daniel Levin By Miriam Bradman Abrahams Issue of October 30 2009/ 12 Cheshvan 5770 A series of coincidences led me to realize I was destined to meet Daniel … more

by Mayer Fertig Issue of January 29, 2010/ 14 Shvat 5770 An attribute of the Jewish Star that many readers have admired is the “broadsheet” format — that is, a newspaper in the style of the … more

By Jamie Geller Issue of May 14, 2010/ 1 Sivan 5770 I’m not one to fly in the face of Jewish tradition, but Shavuos is one holiday where I confess to compromising on a minhag. I know, I know … more

By Meira Davidowitz Issue of September 3, 2010/ 24 Elul 5770 All is not as it seems at Plum, an upscale resale boutique that opened in May at 85 Eldred Lane, just off Central Avenue in … more

Usually it takes years, maybe decades for the discovery of top-secret documents or recordings to be declassified and released to the general public. But recently a highly confidential taped phone conversation between Washington and Cairo was leaked. more

When a family walks down the street in the Five Towns and sees a child with a disability, a slightly different appearance, voice, or personality, how does the parent explain to the child that this slightly different child is also special, and an important member of the community? more

Dear Aviva, My husband and I are doing something that we never thought we would do. We are going to our son and his wife for the upcoming yomim tovim. First of all, we are only in our 50s and perfectly capable of still hosting the family. Second of all, our daughter-in-law is not quite domestic, and we are concerned that the food will not be up to par. (We have past experience with this). And third, our son has adopted various minhagim along the way and my husband gets pretty insulted that he doesn’t follow what he grew up with. I think we are in need of some survival tips. -Hungry and Offended more

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Torah is the interweaving of “ethical” and “ritual” laws. For example, at the beginning of Parashat Kedoshim, we are met with the general commandment to be “holy,” the mitzvah of Kibud Av v’Am (parental respect), and almost immediately thereafter by laws referring to sacrificial offerings. The juxtaposition of these commandments contains a vital message, namely, “ethics” and “ritual” are inseparable. Together they form the constitutive elements from which Judaism is fashioned. more