Posted on: January 6th, 2014

Talk to people who own hybrid cars and they will happily gloat about how infrequently they fill up their tank or how many miles they get to the gallon. Chat with owners of electric cars and they will wax enthusiastically about how often they go to the gas station. Just so you know: they don’t. Ever.

Posted on: January 6th, 2014

Outside is a winter-white wonderland replete with dazzling trees, wires, and sidewalks seemingly wrapped in glittery silver foil. It’s quite lovely to look at, which is about all I can do since I’m stuck indoors. Icicle-laden tree branches are bent and hunch-backed by the frozen heaviness of their popsicle-like burden, and the voices squawking from the battery-operated transistor radio I am listening to are warning people not to go out since walkways and roads are extremely slippery, and there is real danger from falling trees.

Posted on: January 1st, 2014

The President having signed the Treaty of the Geneva Conference and the Senate having, on the 16th instant, ratified the President's actions, the American Association of the Red Cross, organized under provisions of said treaty, purposes to send its agents at once among the sufferers by the recent floods, with a view to the ameliorating of their condition so far as can be done by human aid and the means at hand will permit. Contributions are urgently solicited.

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

My sister went to take a shower. I really didn’t appreciate being alone. As I waited for my turn to shower, I suddenly heard voices coming from my parents' bedroom, down the dark hallway.

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

Every child wants to "fit in," and not be the “uncool kid." This is why teenagers steal, from a high-end store or a schoolmate. Some kids even get bullied for their appearance. So they just make believe they are too sick and not have to suffer what they call “torture."

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Posted on: December 27th, 2013

Ahh, Winter Break. Those glorious ten days each year when the kids have vacation and hopefully, you do too. Heading off to Florida sounds pretty amazing right about now, huh? What? You're not going anywhere? Staying home? Yeah, that was us – every single year.* Affording a warm-weather vacation with a bunch of kids is pretty much out of the question for many families and this year is no exception. So instead of taking a vacation, plan a staycation.

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

Without warning, the first awareness of an onset of a serious accident or illness brings with it a dawn of a new world, complete, as it were, with its own natural laws that are not always clear to the uninitiated. This leaves both the “newbie” and his or her family, feeling that they have landed in a strange new world without a passport or travel guide.

Posted on: December 20th, 2013

Welcome to Food Talk, a new feature that will highlight food bloggers, those enterprising souls who always seem to come up with something new, creative and most importantly, delicious. If you are anything like me, many of the recipes you make are the ones that magically show up in your inbox one morning and if you get lucky, these new dishes fast become family favorites.

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Posted on: December 20th, 2013

The wind whistled outside my house, as the lights flickered but thankfully didn’t turn completely off. Being in this situation reminded me of the terrible week and a half in late October when my family and community lost all electrical power due to Superstorm Sandy.

Posted on: December 20th, 2013

“Nechama Gitty Shapiro is leaving,” said the secretary, poking her head into the classroom. My classmates all turned towards me and whispered, “Where are you going?”

Posted on: December 20th, 2013

The necessity of speaking up when you “have a hunch” applies even more when it comes to shidduchim. One little girl did just that – she said something – and I was fortunate enough to be in town for the very joyful, lively wedding that resulted from her speaking up.

Posted on: December 13th, 2013

It’s not that I think contractors, painters and tile guys are exclusively greedy, deceitful incompetent people – I think they are just poor businessmen or women!

Posted on: December 13th, 2013

I look into the flickering flames of the Shabbos candles and I am thankful for the warmth and light that emanates from them and illuminates our home.

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Posted on: December 13th, 2013

Dear Mordechai, What is the origin of the custom to eat Seudah Shlishis in shul? Mizmor L’David

Posted on: December 6th, 2013

Today is day six without a phone. Besides for feeling slightly isolated, it’s not too bad. I’ve been doing things that I know I would not be doing if my phone was sitting next to me, shiny screen beckoning.

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Posted on: December 6th, 2013

Is anyone else alarmed by the way extended warranties are sold on just about anything and everything? It means one of two things – either someone has found a great way of getting consumers to part with more of their hard earned dollars or manufacturers have no faith in their own products. Neither of those options is particularly heartwarming.

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Posted on: December 6th, 2013

Let me begin by congratulating my dear machatunim, Soraya and Jay Nimaroff, on being the recipients of the Community Service Award at the Sderot Hesder Institutions 18th annual anniversary dinner.

Posted on: December 4th, 2013

Last month’s column sketched the myriad of social programs in which the Orthodox American communal worker and leader Adolphus S. Solomons (1826-1910) was involved. Adolphus married Rachel Seixas Phillips (1828-1881), a descendant of colonial patriot families and together they had eight daughters and a son.

Posted on: November 29th, 2013

He strengthened his resolve Knew his life he would lose, But when the king uttered the words With great pride he refused.

Posted on: November 29th, 2013

Just like you I too have a soul A soul that is G-dly Just like you. Now my friend I ask you, Am I different from you?