Distraction On A Board

Posted on: January 3rd, 2013

Picture this; Mr. Smith is driving down on the Brooklyn Bridge, eager to get to work on time. At the corner of his eye, something flashes. He turns to look at an electric billboard. BOOM…CRASH…BANG… he’s been hit. That billboard took more than his attention - it took his life.

More Extracurricular in the Curriculum

Posted on: January 3rd, 2013

Imagine, sitting through nine classes each day, not understanding the material being taught, and failing many subjects. This would be a terrible school experience.

The Return Of Shimon ben Shetach

Posted on: December 28th, 2012

When the sages prevented Alexander Yannai, king of Yehuda, from becoming Kohen Gadol, he ordered that all the sages of Israel be killed. Many were; those not caught, fled. The greatest sage of them all, Rabi Shimon hen Shetach, was saved by his sister, Queen Shlomit Alexandra, who sheltered him in a secret hiding place.

Deciding Which Career To Pursue: The Key Factor

Posted on: December 28th, 2012

“HELP!” “I need help in choosing my career!” “How do I decide what career to pursue?” This is a common query we hear from students. Many make their first career choice based on what other people in their lives tell them, what everyone else is doing, where the money is, what’s hot in the current job market, what job a relative can get them, the “prestige factor” of being a doctor or lawyer, or some other criteria that is external to who they are as a person.

Living With Hearing Voices

Posted on: December 28th, 2012

Ms. S. is 31 years old and has been hearing voices for the past 10 years. The voices come almost every day and they tell her that she is a failure, will never amount to anything, no one likes her or respects her. Ms. S. was diagnosed with schizophrenia. At the age of 21 she was told she has a disease of the brain and will need to take medication for the rest of her life.

Sister Giovanna

Posted on: December 28th, 2012

The blade of the penknife sliced cleanly into my thumb and a thin stream of crimson blood appeared immediately, getting thicker by the second. I dropped the penknife onto my lap and reached for the green hem of my school skirt. I pressed it tightly against my thumb. Only then did I glance up at Sister Giovanna who was standing, as usual, slightly to the right of the black board. I raised my hand and hoped that she would call on me soon.

The Dating Game

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

They say there’s no bigger nightmare than starting to go out / You’re playing emotional mind games that involve another’s feelings, no doubt / Your hopes atop a roller coaster, but soon to be set in loops / Where you’ll have to make good conversation again, over your cream-of-broccoli soup.

Stardom 101: Lipa Goes To College

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

For the last two years, Lipa Schmeltzer has traded his microphones for textbooks and the concert stage for the classroom.

A Trip To The Banias

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

The beautiful Banias Nature Reserve includes two main areas: the spring area and the waterfall area. And if it’s hard for you to choose which one to visit – choose both. They are equally beautiful and fascinating and a celebration of water and lush flora awaits you.

The Color of Prophecy

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

The rather large grasshoppers all have different human faces. The trees have human bodies with branches sprouting out of their heads. The animals in the Peaceable Kingdom garden seated at Isaiah’s feet are painted purple, pink, blue and red. Welcome to the visionary world of Nahum HaLevi’s Latter Prophets.

The Virag Family Formerly Of Rafiah Yam; Now Of Nitzan

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

The family: Yossi (38), Yamit (33) and daughters Tohar (4.5), Romi (2) and a new baby girl. Background: Yamit is the daughter of Ezra and Malka Mordechai, the first couple in Gush Katif. Ezra arrived in Gush Katif as a bachelor in 1974 and was one of three community founders. Yamit was raised in Netzer Hazani, the first established Gush Katif community.

The Wrongs Of Onas Devarim

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

Dear Dr. Yael: I am the oldest child in a family of seven; one of my sisters is a year younger than me. Even though we basically have the same responsibilities, somehow I always get stuck with all the household chores. My sister has a tendency to take her time, all the while doing one job. Honestly, sometimes it takes her three hours to do the dishes. She says it is because she is a “schlep.” She actually gets angry with her when I ask her to move quicker, saying that “I am not understanding of her feelings” and “she needs time.”

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

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Parshas VaYechi

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

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Voting for Bennett Is Sectoral, for Likud National

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

It is amazing to see how the same people can be deceived time and again.

Miracles Of Faith

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

Having faith is often difficult, especially when having to deal with more than one life challenge.

Israel And ‘Palestine’: A Memo To Barack Obama

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

Mr. President, some foreign policies need to be carefully thought through a second time.

We Weep For The Beautiful Children Of Newtown

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

I am interrupting my series of columns on the power of prayer to focus, this week and next, on the atrocity that occurred two weeks ago in Newtown, Connecticut, and its repercussions.

My Machberes

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

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Irving Bunim: Torah Activist, Ardent Zionist

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

My father, businessman and philanthropist Irving Bunim, z”l, was one of the foremost leaders of American Orthodoxy during its formative years. When he passed away in December 1980, Reb Moshe Feinstein declared, “This is not an aveilus d’yachid [a private loss]; this has the halacha of aveilus d’rabim [a public loss] because [he] represented the rabim of Klal Yisrael [the Jewish pubic].”