Learning The Hard Way (Part II)
I am still getting calls and e-mails from mothers and grandmothers with girls for "Avi" (a non-New Yorker), the ben Torah "earner" who was having trouble finding girls in his community willing to go out with him because he was not learning full time.
Learning The Hard Way (Part I)
In my previous column I wrote about an ehrlich young man (who does not live in New York) who was a college educated earner with an excellent income (his wife won't have to work if she so chooses) who learned in his spare time but was having a hard time getting an in-town shidduch because most of the girls wanted full-time learners.
‘If My Son Is Treif So Is His Money’
A few days ago, while out of town, I connected with an old friend.
The Fourth Son
As we recite the Haggadah during the seder, we are introduced to the "Four Sons."
Insight
My little boy messed up the wall,
But what he did didn't make me mad at all,
Single In Shushan City (A Purim Spiel)
"Another day another dinar," sighed Esther as she prepared her daily infusion of Turkish coffee before leaving for her job as an assistant editor at her Uncle Mordy's business, Megillah Publishing.
Am Yisrael Chai
February/Adar is birthday month in the Kupfer family, with four out of five members born during this period.
The ‘New Jews’ Of Europe
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Marcellus, the character in Hamlet who uttered those words, couldn't have been more right.
Smart Wrinkles
This column is being written on my secular birthday, February 14 (my real birthday is 11 Adar), a birthday - not surprisingly - that I share with my twin brother.
Self-Image And Barking Dogs (Part II)
In my previous column I wrote about the importance of assigning minimal value to the utterances of those who make nasty, ego-wounding comments.
Self-Image And Barking Dogs (Part I)
Chanukah is over and we are now dealing with the repercussions of wantonly indulging in crispy, crunchy, melt in your mouth potato latkes and overdosing on sugary, chocolaty, jelly-oozing donuts.
Chanukah Gifts For Your Little Son’s Rebbe
Gift giving is a real challenge for many parents during Chanukah.
Getting Out Of The Driver’s Seat In Someone Else’s Car
I was at a recent fundraiser on behalf of Israel's Beit Halochem institutions. In Hebrew, beit halochem means the house of the warrior and that is what these centers are - a home away from home for disabled Israeli soldiers and wounded victims of Islamic terror and violence.
Bearing The Unbearable
Pesach seemed heavier this year. I'm not talking in terms of the tremendous amount of food that was consumed or the seemingly endless lifting, bending, scrubbing, scouring and cooking that is part and parcel of pre and post Passover preparations as well as during the chag.
Modeh Ani – A Thank You
Over the years I always wondered why Hashem - the Master and Creator of the Universe - was so machmir - so adamant in having us mortals sing his praises and thank him all the time.
Where There’s Life, There Is Hope
You would have to be hiding under a rock to be unaware of the sad and drawn-out death of a severely brain damaged woman called Terri Schiavo, whose husband and legal guardian made the decision to have her life-sustaining feeding tube removed.
A Prayer For Freedom
In very recent issues of the Jewish Press there have been a number of disturbing articles detailing the dire plight of various types of people who have lost their physical or social freedom.
Thinking Before You Leap
I recently heard that an acquaintance of mind got divorced for the 2nd time. The marriage had lasted a very short time, but I was not surprised.
The Smart Schlimazels And Cunning Shlemiels
We all know them - the sad sacks who seemingly were born under a bad constellation.
Critical Comments And Your Children’s Futures
As my friend Eve (not her real name) and I started filling our plates at a recent buffet dinner, she commented that lucky for her, her mother wasn't with us.
A Gazayra In Gaza
The Hebrew word gazayra means evil decree. Sometimes, a government decree is just that - an indisputably evil order, as when Pharaoh of Biblical times commanded the murder of all Hebrew male newborns.
Helping Yourself First – Is That Politically Correct?
While randomly perusing some Jewish community newspapers this past week, I was struck by the press releases of several Jewish organizations crowing with excited pride about the significant monetary donations they made for victims of the Tsunami.
Who’s Watching The Kids?
A good friend of mine, "Sarah," recently shared her concern over her two year old grandson's health.
Smart Cars – Stupid Drivers
From time to time, I am asked where I get ideas for my articles. The answer is simple. Just from getting up in the morning and experiencing life.
Stupidity
While recently riding on a private local bus, I couldn't help but overhear two elderly, balbatish ladies talking.
A Visit From Beyond
During this past Yom Tov, I spent some time with my son who lives out of town.
A Son’s Wedding: A Slap In The Face Of Our Enemies
My first-born son's recent marriage was a huge simcha for the family, but the wedding was actually the culmination of a simcha that began years ago - at his bris.
Going Up In Smoke
Walking along a Brooklyn street recently, I saw a scene that could very well be used in a dictionary to explain the word nachas.
Love, Trust And Faith – Achieving True Peace Of Mind
During Rosh Hashona, when it is customary to greet friend and stranger alike with good wishes for the upcoming year, I try to avoid uttering the phrase, "Have a happy and healthy New Year.
Criminal Insensitivity
Years ago, when I was in college, I took an undergraduate course in law. I don't remember much of what I learned, but the concept of criminal negligence has stuck in my mind.
