The Kosher Bookworm By Alan Jay Gerber Issue of May 7, 2010/ 23 Iyar, 5770 With the annual observance of Yom Yerushalayim this Wednesday, May 12, this week’s essay will be a brief review … more

I'm thinking Issue of August 28, 2010/ 18 Elul 5770 The international media is so concerned with covering the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians and so consumed … more

Misrepresenting the RCA To the Editor: The Jewish Star’s article on the brain death controversy in the Orthodox community (“Is Brain Death Enough?  The RCA Says Maybe”; January 21, 2011) … more

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a cool greeting at the United Nations General Assembly last week, but he has much to say. Here are some key points of his speech. more

In a rambling speech as unclear as the rest of his campaign, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman began his Monday morning press conference attacking the rest of the field. He admonished his colleagues for running nasty campaigns (true but people in glass houses…). When he was done playing campaign police Huntsman announced his withdrawal from the primary race. He then endorsed one of the people he had just finished trashing, Mitt Romney. more

Last week President Obama had some heartfelt words at the Holocaust Museum: “I say this as a President, and I say it as a father: We must tell our children about a crime unique in human history,” Obama said during a speech in the museum’s packed auditorium. more

Recently, a New York Supreme Court justice ruled that there was sufficient evidence to try homegrown terrorist, Ahmed Ferhani, for conspiring to bomb a Manhattan synagogue. Ahmed was arrested last year together with co-conspirator, Mohamed Mamdouh, on terrorism charges for plotting to attack a synagogue. more

Have you heard the one about how to tell the gefilte from all the other fish in the sea? Simple, it’s the one with the carrot on its head.....or what type of cigarettes do Jewish mothers smoke? Gefiltered.... badam bam. more

On Monday evening, the Young Israel of Woodmere held a communal Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut program, with a moving and inspiring recollection by Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz, Rabbi Emeritus of the White shul, of others’ reactions to the re-founding of Israel. A special video presentation by Knesset member Naftali Bennett, addressed to the “Long Island” community, was screened. more

Among the most consistent liturgical works on the Jewish calendar is the twice daily recitation of Psalm 27, beginning next week, heralding the upcoming high holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succos. more