Ehrlichkeit, Chumros, And Communal Unity: An Interview with South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein

Posted on: March 25th, 2013

The Jewish Press recently spoke with Rabbi Goldstein – author of the bulk of The Legacy: Teachings for Life from the Great Lithuanian Rabbis (Maggid Books). Rabbi Goldstein will be visiting Los Angeles and San Diego from April 11-16.

Obama And Bibi Raise The Intensity Of Mideast Diplomacy

Posted on: March 25th, 2013

JERUSALEM – Amid the pomp and circumstance during President Obama’s three-day visit to Israel, Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State John Kerry quietly worked on several diplomatic initiatives that could spur far-reaching changes in the Middle East.

Hakarat Hatov – More Than ‘Thank You’

Posted on: March 25th, 2013

Last year, not long before Passover was to begin and my thoughts were already on the coming Seders and great drama we would be observing, I happened to be just outside a building when I observed the following small scene unfold before me.

Did Obama’s Charm Offensive During Trip To Israel Work?

Posted on: March 25th, 2013

JERUSALEM – President Obama had three goals for his first presidential trip to Israel. He wanted to persuade Israelis that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He wanted to promote the renewal of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, albeit without any specific “deliverables.” Most of all, however, he wanted to charm the pants off the Israeli people.He dropped Hebrew phrases into his speeches. He quoted the Talmud. He invoked the story of Passover. So, did it work?

Museum Village

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

Museum Village, a replica of a typical American village during the 1800’s, was the vision of Roscoe William Smith. Mr. Smith was an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector who contributed in many ways to his native Orange County. He made his fortune in 1905 as founder of the Orange and Rockland electric company.

“How Do You Like Your Eggs?”

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

One of my favorite movies to watch growing up was Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. On a whim, I decided to watch it this past weekend, taking a break from intensive LSAT studying. Julia Roberts plays a woman who works at her family's small-town hardware store. She has earned a notorious reputation for ditching her fiancée on her wedding day.

Going Nuts – A Guide to an Allergy-Friendly Pesach

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

Preparing for an ordinary Pesach is daunting enough with all of the cleaning, shopping, cooking, and preparation, but add food allergies to the mix and you could literally “go nuts.” Don’t go nuts, go nut-free and egg-free too. While Pesach poses dietary challenges, they are not insurmountable.

Flaming Glory

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

I stare, and I stare, trying to connect to those deep, seeing, eyes, to the wisdom and depth within that face. And all I can think, murmurs sliding in a circle through my mind - is, hadras panim... hadras panim... hadras panim...

Saloons with Prayer Services

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

The Wall Street Journal last month featured a front-page article titled “After These Jewish Prayer Services, Things Come ‘To Life’ at Open Bar,” with the sub-heading, “To Woo Worshippers, Synagogues Compete with Food and Booze.”

Stone Throwing Is also Terror

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

As I write these words, a Jewish toddler injured in a Palestinian terror attack is lying in a hospital bed struggling for her life.

Temple Mount: Test Of Israeli Sovereignty

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

One doesn't have to be a Temple Mount loyalist to realize that something not good for the Jews is happening in the world's holiest spot – under Israeli sovereignty.

From The Greatest Heights (Part III)

Posted on: March 22nd, 2013

While I certainly don’t speak for all infertile couples, I feel a brief introduction to some of the challenges that couples face would be worthwhile before I describe our treatment protocols.

“Daughter Of Zion” – Our Historic Right

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

The Prophet Yeshayahu’s messages of Geula/ Redemption are apt answers to our present-day prayers. They are tailor made for our times. He exhorts the people of Israel to abandon their self-image as aniya soara -- a poor tempest-tossed woman ( 54:11) -- and rise as bat Tziyon -- the daughter of Zion, a nation with a sense of pride and dignity.

Marital Therapy: Solo Or Joint?

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

Just like Aharon HaKohen promoted shalom bayis by sharing with couples all of the good things that his or her spouse said, a therapist can encourage shalom bayis in this same way.

Message to the Leftists

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

Do you really think that retreat from the very foundations of our lives will bring us quiet?

Managing the Unmanageable: Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

I often write about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) because it is a pervasive and problematic issue in our community today. Recent surveys suggest that ODD affects between two and sixteen percent of children. Children with ODD are often classified as “explosive” because of their severe and sudden outbreaks.

The Long Way Home For Adults Who Were Children of Divorce

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

There are millions of adults today who experienced the trauma of their parents’ divorce 20, 30, 40 or more years ago. Some have found closure, but many more have not. Regrettably, it is a time in a child’s life that is never forgotten. It stays with you; it is part of who you are.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities

Posted on: March 21st, 2013

.Though ultimately we know that Hashem is in charge of pairing zivugim, He entrusts His earthly messengers with the task of setting things in motion. While many of us lay-shadchanim can count our triumphant outcomes in the single digits (some of us having woefully nary a one to our credit), a vivacious and immensely popular chassidishe woman keeps racking them up — seemingly effortlessly, with bubbling enthusiasm.

Iran’s Unhidden Plan For Genocide: A Legal Assessment (First of Three Parts)

Posted on: March 20th, 2013

Every year Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad instructs the UN General Assembly that Israel is a defiling historical error, a hideous mistake bound to be rectified. Sometimes he goes cheerfully beyond such a narrowly predictive denunciation and proceeds to offer an alleged rationale for Israel's "disappearance."

The View From The Beis Medrash

Posted on: March 20th, 2013

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