By Elizabeth Berney Issue of August 13, 2010/ 3 Elul 5770 “Are you Americans?” An aged thin man in tattered clothing asked us. My husband and I were standing in a narrow … more

From the other side of the bench by David Seidemann Issue of August, 13, 2010/ 3 Elul, 5770 Not once but twice, in recent weeks, I’ve encountered a situation where a father has … more

The Kosher Bookworm by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of August 13, 2010/ 3 Elul 5770 Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook and Rav Yehudah Amital were destined to serve their people in two successive … more

I'm thinking by Micah D. Halpern Issue of August 6, 2010/ 26 Av, 5770 Last week, the unthinkable occurred in the most explosive location in this world. The M. Star, a Japanese mega tanker … more

From the other side of the bench By David Seidemann Issue of August 6, 2010/ 26 Av 5770 My office phone rang the other day and a gentleman on the line identified himself as Darrell. I … more

Issue of August 6, 2010/ 26 Av 5770 By Tara Brafman On a recent Shabbat, we went to my neighbor for seudah shlishit, the third Shabbat meal, for a celebration. My neighbor’s son, Avi, … more

August 6, 2010/ 26 Av, 5770 Who is the most desperate, destitute member of the Jewish society? It’s a loaded question and there is no correct answer. Unless you specify from whose perspective. … more

Parshat Eikev by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of July 30, 2010/ 19 Av 5770 Other than former current events, nothing dates a Jewish book more than when discussing or quoting a deceased great … more

Issue of July 30, 2010/ 19 Av 5770 by Robert Wistrich This year, Tisha B'Av (the annual Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem) once … more

July 30, 2010/ 19 Av, 5770 Dear Aviva, I am in a real quandary. About 6 months ago I lost my job and was having a very difficult time finding a new one. My family was really feeling it and we were … more