Teens and Twenties

Staring out his window, Yakov tried ignoring the overwhelming sweep of emotions. He watched as the horses calmly grazed in the fields, oblivious to the deep hate brewing on each side of the farm. The audacity his brother has, Yakov shuddered thinking about it. Shaking his head he couldn’t think. Things hadn’t been easy since Father had died, he admit, but why now? After all the legal issues to deal with. After all the emotional pain. After watching their own mother wither away from the ache and void. But Levi couldn’t let it go.

It took me years to be able to say this (and a lot of painful bouts of insomnia, ulcers and ice cream cravings) but grades aren’t everything.

This man, who is coming to speak to all of you today, is a holy man.

Karen Greenberg: Where did you grow up and where do you live now? Elke Weiss: I grew up in Manhattan Beach, in Brooklyn. I now...

This devastating loss For weeks is the top news, But the assassination of politicians Is squeezed onto page two.

They are presented as freedom fighters attempting to further their cause, and not as the bloodthirsty murders they were.

When you wake up in the morning, and see the sunlight streaming into your room, do you say thank you to the One Who deserves thanks the most?

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?

Everyone knows the feeling you get when you want to do something you can’t do. There is always that temptation to do - especially because you know you can’t. Or sometimes it’s because you want to prove you can. Sometimes it’s because people expect it of you. Sometimes it’s a combination.

I didn’t need that much garlic. After all… how much garlic, exactly, could I put into the chicken without overdoing it? But something made me leave the white, rounded head on the counter after cracking off a few bulbs, rather than putting it back in the fridge. Maybe I’d need more.

Should I make conversation with her? How should I start? A million questions zoomed through Leah’s mind until she finally said, “Shalom, do you speak English?” Leah questioned.

Watching people a few hundred feet up in the air, walking or bicycling on a string has always astonished me. Regardless of the science behind it (using a long pole as a means of forcing one's center of gravity onto the string) does nothing to subtract from the magnificence of the act.

Believe it or not, some schools actually have therapists or guidance counselors on staff.

Picture a family full of smiles, and joy. See all the moments they spend together and support each other, through blessed times and difficult ones. Picture the holidays filled with warmth and laughter, and the Shabbat... But then something destroys the serenity.

They try to manipulate you into thinking that by definition you're a shell and on the inside your dead, you don't exist. They put zero meaning into life. The shell is their focus - that's what they make of life!

Never sacrifice the people who matter for anything of lesser importance...

We aren't at a platform; we are underground, just sitting there.

You've gotta settle, stop being so choosy, it's a boy's world after all And you're just one of the millions who think their worth something, have the gall. You've got to start looking better, so that you'll be noticed when you walk through town And perhaps you can lose a few pounds too, so we can pull your resume dress size down.

When a child is trembling with fear, When guns command him to raise his hands in the air You know beyond a shadow of doubt The World Has Gone Upside Down.

Whenever I got praised for an achievement, I feel like I should say that half the praise goes to my parents. Although they can get on my nerves, I am really blessed with a mother and father who have molded and shaped me (by any means necessary) to become a successful human being.

Can you be happy for 100 days in a row?

Are you totally bored of today’s uniform dress – that of a shell and pencil skirt? These wardrobe staples have carried you through the past few years’ whether the style was short, low-cut, sleeveless and/or sparkly.

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

I’m going to tell you something that the media doesn’t want you to know. The image of the perfect woman they promote as healthy - That’s not actually that healthy. I mean, we all want to look good and feel good, but the body image that the media shows today is truly horrible.

What made this apple decay and grow mold, This is a message for both young and old.

Four stories, four sets of relationships, four life lessons. In one short week from January 15-22, 2012, my world was altered forever by the stories, relationships and life lessons experienced on the Center for Jewish Future mission to help build an irrigating tilapia farm for the small Mexican village of Muchucuxcah.

Our people’s history is not a kind one. I remember reading about the 1648-49 Chmielnicki massacres of the Jewish communities of Poland (Gezerot tach v’tat) and weeping, asking myself why we were chosen if it meant suffering so?

David looked up. “Hatzlacha, Dina,” he smiled. “I hope everything goes well.”

These monsters constantly attack When we dare to try to fight back

This past summer was a powerful one for the Jewish people. I will always remember where I was on June 12th when I found...