Once in a while, when our kids were super stressed by school. I allowed them a “mental health day.” It sounds like playing hooky, but sleeping in and getting a little unexpected time off goes a long way in helping with focus and creativity. more

With the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel this coming week, we are once again faced with the annual rants concerning whether to say Hallel with a blessing, or not to say Hallel at all. more

A video on terrorist attacks by the OneFamily fund and a Powerpoint presentation bookended a Tisha B’Av lecture by Naftali Moses, memorializing his son, one of eight young people murdered in a 2008 pre-Purim terrorist attack at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. more

The essays by Rabbi Moshe Sokolow and Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik cited in last week’s essay prompted great interest, especially in the Bible commentary by Henry Ainsworth referenced by them. This prompted me to research this matter further and to bring to your attention a work written and published three years ago by British historian, Nick Bunker, entitled, “Making Haste From Babylon: The Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World” [Vintage Books, 2010]. more

HOME ACCESSORY DESIGN with Ofra Levin. Create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind beaded tabletop accessory for yourself or for a gift in a relaxed and enjoyable setting with an accomplished jewelry designer. 7 to 9 pm. JCC of Greater Five Towns, 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst. 516-569-6733 x222. more

Shavuot is the shortest Jewish Bible-based festival, yet it is the most spiritually-powered. Prime to this holiday is the commemoration of the receiving of the Ten Commandments, perhaps the most spiritual event in all world history. The central personality of the Shavuot saga is Moshe Rabeinu. more

Sergeant Major Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel of the IDF’s Givati brigade drew a standing room only audience after Shacharit last Shabbat when he spoke of his unit’s action in Gaza and of his perspective on Jewish history, religious Zionism, and clarity of vision in combat. He drew returning crowds two more times during the afternoon at the Young Israel of Woodmere. more

The older I get, the more my childhood memories fade, but I still vividly remember the morning of Sunday, July 4, 1976. more

The times, they are a changin’ [not!]. Here’s what topped page one this week in 2006: “Despite Difficulties, Local Face Eye of Storm.” And from the catering manager at Supersol: “Nobody canceled their event — the simcha must go on.” more