Anti-Semitism On The Couch: A Conversation with Professor Robert Wistrich

Posted on: February 3rd, 2010

Robert S. Wistrich, a professor at Hebrew University and a leading scholar on anti-Semitism, published his 24th book last month: A Lethal Obsession: Anti-Semitism from Antiquity to the Global Jihad (Random House, 1,200 pages). Wistrich is the director of The Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism and, between 1999 and 2001, was one of six scholars who sat on a Catholic-Jewish historical commission that examined Pope Pius XII's response to the Holocaust. The Jewish Press spoke with Wistrich during his recent New York book tour.

When Health Care Comes Home

Posted on: January 27th, 2010

A parent or spouse suddenly suffers a debilitating stroke or heart attack and requires home health care. Where should the family turn? Many families thankfully are never forced to consider such questions. Others, though, are not as lucky and feel overwhelmed by the new situation thrust upon them, not knowing where or to whom to turn for advice.

Israeli Anti-Terror Expert: America’s Challenges And Successes

Posted on: January 20th, 2010

Juval Aviv's exploits as an Israeli counterterrorism agent are widely believed to be the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's 2005 film "Munich." After wrapping up his career as a major in the Israel Defense Forces (and reportedly working for the secretive Mossad), Aviv launched a lucrative career as a security consultant and investigator.

Notorious Jewish Mobster’s Death Still Raising Questions

Posted on: January 6th, 2010

"I never met anybody who thought Abe went out that window because he wanted to," said mob informant Joseph Valachi about Abe Reles's fatal five-story plunge on November 12, 1941.

Rookie Director Honored For Religious-Themed Israeli TV Drama

Posted on: January 6th, 2010

Jerusalem- When Israel's version of the Emmy Awards were announced in late 2009, the mainly secular entertainment establishment received an unexpected jolt as "Srugim," an off-beat series about the trials and tribulations of religious singles in Jerusalem was tabbed "Best Drama" on Israeli TV.

New Book Highlights IDF’s Unsung Heroes

Posted on: December 30th, 2009

Due to Israel's small size, almost every soldier in the IDF returns home on a weekly or biweekly basis, enjoying the comfort and company of family. Approximately 5,000 soldiers, however, do not enjoy this benefit. These soldiers - labeled "lone soldiers" by the army - either come from dysfunctional homes (20 percent) or are volunteers from abroad (80 percent). In a recently published book, Lone Soldiers: Israel's Defenders from Around the World, veteran Jerusalem Post reporter Herb Keinon profiles 14 of these lone soldiers, who come from such diverse countries as Morocco, Australia, and India. He recently spoke with The Jewish Press.

‘We Have An Obligation To Stand Even Taller’ – An Interview With Political Consultant Hank Sheinkopf

Posted on: December 23rd, 2009

Hank Sheinkopf is a master of the rough world of political campaigning. As president of Sheinkopf Communications, he's worked on some 700 political campaigns on four continents, including 44 American states. His clients have included President Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg. Sought after for comment by major media outlets, he is a CNN contributor and has lectured at NYU, Harvard, and Fordham.

Taking The Anxiety Out Of Growing Older: An Interview with Author Dr. Eva Mor

Posted on: December 16th, 2009

In her much needed recently published book, Making the Golden Years Golden (AuthorHouse) Dr. Eva Mor offers strategies and resource information to help make one's senior years safe, secure and enjoyable. "If you prepare ahead of time there's no reason you can't have a good and rich retirement," said Dr. Mor.

Israel, Capitalism, And Human Excellence: An Interview with Author George Gilder

Posted on: December 9th, 2009

George Gilder's latest book, The Israel Test (Vigilante Books), is so unabashedly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel that it would make many Jews blush.

‘We Desperately Need To Get Back To Theology’: An Interview with Rabbi Chaim Miller

Posted on: December 2nd, 2009

"My particular passion was the teachings of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson." Born to an unobservant family in London, Rabbi Chaim Miller first encountered the Lubavitcher Rebbe's teachings as a student at Leeds University. "His discourses impressed me in terms of their tremendous intellectual depth and brilliance," he recalls.

Mumbai Doctor, Wife Complete Conversion In Israel On Holtzberg Yahrzeit

Posted on: November 25th, 2009

JERUSALEM - An Indian couple completed their halachic conversion and remarried in a Jewish ceremony at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron last week, on the first anniversary of the murder of their friends and spiritual guides, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg.

Speaking The Language Of Children At 99 – An Interview With Gussie Levine

Posted on: November 25th, 2009

Gussie Levine is a 99-year-old great-grandmother who worked as a teacher for the New York City Board of Education for many years. She volunteers for many worthy causes, and has participated in a new educational program, Mobilization for Youth - working with children of all ages.

Did The Rambam Really Say That? – An Interview With Professor Daniel Rynhold

Posted on: November 11th, 2009

Professor Daniel Rynhold may teach modern Jewish philosophy, but his recently published book is titled, An Introduction to Medieval Jewish Philosophy.

Creating ‘Synergy’ Between Israel And The U.S.

Posted on: November 11th, 2009

An Interview with Jeff Daube, the ZOA's Man In Israel

The Man Who Won’t Let Nazis Die In Peace: An Interview With Efraim Zuroff

Posted on: November 8th, 2009

Nazi hunting. Sounds like a glamorous job, but judging from Operation Last Chance, a new book by Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff, catching Nazis is more grit than glamour.

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Vouchers, Gay Marriage And Black-Jewish Relations: An Interview With New York Governor David Paterson

Posted on: November 4th, 2009

David Paterson is the fourth African American and only the second legally blind governor in U.S. history. The son of former New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson, he spent 20 years in New York's state senate before being chosen as Eliot Spitzer's running mate for the 2006 New York gubernatorial election. He became governor on March 17, 2008 after Spitzer resigned.

Remembering Rabbi Pesach Oratz

Posted on: November 4th, 2009

Klal Yisrael lost a premier mechanech this past erev Rosh Hashanahwith the sudden passing of Rabbi Pesach Oratz, z"l. Rabbi Oratz's career in Jewish education spanned close to six decades, over which time he taught tens of thousands of students. One of the things that made Rabbi Oratz unique was the range of topics and of students that he taught.

Local Boy To National Stardom?

Posted on: November 4th, 2009

One of Steven Ari-Z Leiner's fondest childhood memories, he says while taking a break from campaigning, is when on his 13th birthday the late Bobover Rebbe helped him put on his tefillin. The Bobover Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, and Maimonides are some of his heroes. Some of his secular role models include John F. Kennedy, Mayor Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, and Paul Krugman, he adds.

Bubby and Zaidy: An “Einikel’s” Remembrance

Posted on: October 28th, 2009

I needed Zaidy's scissors for another chore. It's a heavy, garment scissor that Zaidy Meir used when he worked as a shnaider (tailor) in the City. When he came to America with his family in 1951, he was able to get steady work although he did not speak English. It's a heavy, garment scissor that Zaidy Meir used when he worked as a shnaider (tailor) in the City. When he came to America with his family in 1951, he was able to get steady work although he did not speak English.

Agri Star Meat-Plant Owner: ‘We Will Succeed’

Posted on: October 28th, 2009

In the months since Agriprocessors - formerly America's largest kosher meatpacking plant - declared bankruptcy in the wake of allegations of unethical and illegal business practices, speculation has abounded: Who will fill the gap in the kosher meat market? Will meat prices go up? Will an Orthodox Jew buy the Postville, Iowa plant?