In mid-October, I stopped putting out my hat in the Old City Square to play cello for personal profit. Seeing the beggars, who desperately needed donations made me realize that I did not need the money and made me feel guilty. Instead, I built a Magen David Adom sign and played to raise charity funds. Gradually the frequency of my playing lessened, as my schedule filled, and when unpredictable winter weather set in I stopped altogether. more

My cousin on the Upper West Side had disapproving things to say and one of my Twitter followers posted negativity as well. But I went undeterred to experience Talia’s Steakhouse for myself. more

Open up a chumash with Rashi on this parsha, and the first thing you notice is… no Rashi. You can count on your hand the number of comments Rashi provides on chapters 36 and 37; after all, he’s already commented on these topics in parshat Terumah, chapters 25 and 26. more

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council Resolution that would have condemned Israel for its “settlements” in the disputed territories of Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem. more

Far away from the courtrooms and art galleries that are the focus of an international custody dispute, bookshelves hold treasures hearkening back to the origins of the Chabad Lubavitch movement. But even with 15,000 volumes, the curators feel a void in the priceless collection. more

Great Neck’s North Shore Hebrew Academy (NSHA) Lions and Little Neck’s Har Torah Hat Trix middle schools hockey teams, of the Metropolitan Yeshiva Junior High Hockey League (MYJHHL), faced off in a doubly exciting game Saturday night, February 19th, at Yehiva Har Torah to benefit OHEL’s Hewlett House. more

The Sasson V’Simcha catering hall on Coney Island Avenue has seen many weddings. On Feb. 17, it hosted a matchmaking event of a different nature, as some 700 job seekers packed the hall for interviews. more

He was called Pickles, The Yeled, The Little Guy and K’tantan, but this week surrounded by family and loved ones the miracle baby was named Avraham Natanel Libin. On Monday as the Woodmere community gathered for morning minyan at Young Israel, one of the youngest of Israel exemplified faith and prayer to the congregation. more

With his wild hair, bushy beard and American background, journalist and author Gershom Gorenberg could be mistaken for a West Bank settler. He has written numerous news stories and books on the territories. more

They call it “Hitting the Wall.” Three or four months after arriving in Israel many first-year Yeshiva students feel morose, anxious, even depressed. I hit the wall back in December. more