Gemara In The Morning, Cancer Research In The Afternoon

Posted on: August 19th, 2009

Not too many rabbis spend their day trying to cure cancer. Fewer still own three dogs and a killer fish named Shalom on the side. But Rabbi Dr. Robert Shorr does and sees no inherent conflict or tension between his various activities.

Tribute To The Life Of Rhoda Gebiner

Posted on: August 12th, 2009

I thought she would be with us forever. My beloved aunt Rhoda was 101, 102 or maybe 103 when she passed. Aunt Rhoda was one of the first people to see me when I was born and I was one of the last people to see her before she passed away.

From The Snare Of Death To A Full Life: Re-Reading The Memoirs Of Livia Bitton-Jackson

Posted on: August 12th, 2009

Memo to the New York Public Library: I'm sorry that I still haven't returned several books by Livia Bitton-Jackson. They are a series of vibrant, touching memoirs of a young girl navigating her way through the world, both literally and on an emotional plane; the stories of a Holocaust survivor with wanderlust in a world that doesn't want to hear it are not easy to part with.

Bnei Brak: A City Worth Building For

Posted on: August 12th, 2009

"If I want to just be a good mayor, I could fix the roads and pick up the garbage," says Yakov Asher, the new mayor of Bnei Brak, Israel, in an exclusive interview at the editorial offices of The Jewish Press. "But there's so much more we can do."

‘You Can’t Allow The Nation To Be Divided’ – An Interview With Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar

Posted on: August 5th, 2009

The Jewish Press spoke last week with Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Israel's Sephardi chief rabbi since 2003, on the contentious issue of conversion to Judaism.

Living With Dorothy

Posted on: July 29th, 2009

Suffice it to say that when I moved in with Dorothy, my friends were in shock. Most of them were planning to live in the more popular Washington Heights, whereas I had decided to remain in midtown Manhattan. Mostly, however, most of their astonishment was because I was 22, and Dorothy, or Mrs. Hilf, as I call her, was 95.

On The Passing Of Victor D. Sanua

Posted on: July 29th, 2009

Victor D. Sanua, Ph.D., z"l, a pioneer in cross-cultural studies of mental illness, was also known for his studies on American Jewish communities and the Jews of Egypt, passed away July 12, at the age of 88 in Brooklyn, New York.

‘More Philo-Semitism Than Anti-Semitism In Polish History’

Posted on: July 22nd, 2009

An Interview With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Alex Storozynski

Maccabiah Games 2009 – Coach Bruce Pearl: ‘Being Jewish And Being Connected To Israel Is Part Of Who I Am’

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

The hottest event at the 18th Maccabiah Games currently being held in Israel could be the anticipated encounter between the American and Israeli men's basketball squads during the playoffs next week, a prospect that Bruce Pearl - the University of Tennessee and Maccabi USA coach - is actually counting on.

Late Bloomer Composes In Three Styles

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

Not widely appreciated during his lifetime, composer Gustav Mahler famously predicted, "My time will yet come." And it did. Aaron Blumenfeld, a 77-year-old composer from the San Francisco Bay Area, hopes a similar future is in store for him - and the sooner, the better.

Yad Sarah: Finding Lessons In Israel

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

"When I first started," said Beverly Marcus, "I couldn't sleep the night before because I'd be so nervous, wondering what I'd do and how it would go. And then I wouldn't sleep the night after a class, either, because I was so excited. It really gives me a high."

Understanding Kavanah

Posted on: July 1st, 2009

I had recently had the opportunity to sit down with Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, author of the new book, The Art of Kavana (Devora Publishing, July 2009) and discuss what it means to truly focus on yiddishkeit.

Likud’s Rising Star – Single, Female And Religious

Posted on: July 1st, 2009

Tzipi Hotovely, 30, is the youngest member of Knesset and a rising star in the Likud party. She grew up in Rechovot and earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from Bar Ilan University, where she served as editor of the Law Review.

Morton Klein: Bibi Sent Wrong Message

Posted on: June 24th, 2009

The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent named him one of the top dozen "Jewish activists of the century." The New York Times called him "a relatively rare voice from the outset in the American Jewish community against the Oslo peace accords." The Wall Street Journal praised him as "wise, brave, and unflinchingly honest."

Rahm’s Rabbi: A Conversation With Rabbi Asher Lopatin

Posted on: June 17th, 2009

Rabbi Asher Lopatin, longtime spiritual leader of Chicago's Modern Orthodox Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation, comments about his famous congregant, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Jewish rights to settle in Israel; plans to build in the Negev; Orthodoxy and pluralism; and political talk from the pulpit.

‘Success Comes In Cans; Failure In Can’ts’ An Interview With Dr. Morris Mandel’s Son

Posted on: June 17th, 2009

In one of his thousands of aphorism-filled columns for The Jewish Press, Dr. Morris Mandel wrote, "Counting time is not as important as making time count."

Darchei Noam

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

Many years ago, an Arab called a friend of his. "They're after me, they want to kill me and my family. No one will help us. What can we do?" His friend, realizing the seriousness of the situation, quickly answered. "Come to my house. I'll keep you here until it's safe for you elsewhere." The Arab and his family lived with his friend for quite a while.

Singing God’s Praises: An Interview With Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

There are dozens of English-translated siddurim on bookshelves these days. Surely, you may think, we don't need another one. But before you make up your mind, consider that the new one that has just come out is translated by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the United Kingdom. Rabbi Sacks, who also wrote a commentary and introduction, has been a consistently brilliant source of insight into Jewish philosophy, Chumash, and other topics.

America’s Unorthodox Orthodox Jews: A Conversation With Professor Jeffrey Gurock

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

He put on tefillin every day. He was rarely absent from shul. He ate only kosher. But during the busy season in the garment industry, this Bronx Jew who grew up in the first half of the 20th century worked on Shabbat. Can such a person be considered an Orthodox Jew?

Are We Ready To Die For Our Values? A Chat With Natan Sharansky

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Natan Sharansky has been a hero of mine ever since I learned this courageous refusenik refused to be exchanged for two spies without the Book of Psalms he had treasured for nine torturous years in Soviet prisons.