A Word Of Thanks
The highway was packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic, and there I sat with hands gripped tightly on the steering wheel, begging the cars to move. My heart swelled at the thought of seeing my son, who was just coming back from his year of learning in Eretz Yisrael. How I had missed him! Though I was used to him being away (if you can ever really get used to a child being away), a special space in my heart was empty – as I waited for him.
A V’nahafoch Hu Pesach
Did I mention that my daughter-in-law has seemingly unlimited excess energy, and is one of the best cooks and bakers I know?
The Four Ws And An H
My good friend knew all the above already, as a good friend does, but she listened anyway.
The Medicine Mix-Up
Given that the fever had already passed – and getting the medication down my fussy baby’s throat would be a challenge of its own – I finally decided to wait it out.
A Nod From Above
When the Nazis began their hunt of on October 1, Rosh Hashana night, most Jews were already hiding in fishing villages along the coast.
The Erev Shabbos Call
It is my family’s minhag, for many generations, to light the candles 30 minutes before shekiah, as opposed to the commonly held custom of 20 minutes. So I told my husband that those 10 extra minutes should not be an issue.
Deposited Faithfully
Naftali nodded solemnly. He put the envelope in a safe place and Moshe left, hoping sincerely that he had left his treasure with the right person.
The God-Spotter
Though my father lives in another area of Staten Island, he has been intermittently involved with this synagogue since its inception.
Friends To The End
Geula was not the same as it is now. There were so many shopkeepers that lived there. Some were religious, some not. But it was a community. We all were one. And Ruti and I would go everywhere together.
The Performance With Help From Above
Even though we know the score can even change once we are up there (through the mitzvos that our performed in our merit), what we must seriously keep in fresh in our mind is that our interactions have a lasting impact and a value for eternity.
Opening The Doors
Logically, it isn’t possible for you to make it to work on time. But there is a Creator. And nothing stands in His way.
Everything Is Good!
Mr. Frankel knew that thinking about it wouldn't help him or anyone else. The whole thing was in the past and though it was so painful and unjust, he tried not to think about what happened because that would only cause more suffering with no benefit at all.
A Stitch In Time
So why was she forever unceremoniously dumping them in the library after the long school day was over and virtually all the other students and staff members had already gone home?
Zohara
Zohara was born in Morocco. With her husband, she raised a large family. A busy woman, she always seemed to find time to help others in need.
Her daughter, Aliza, told me of the many sleepless nights her mother spent nursing babies. That is not unusual in itself, were it not for the fact that many of the babies she nursed were not her own.
Snow Day
It was only later in the day, during afternoon carpool, that things abruptly spun out of control. Literally.
Put Judaism First
I asked Rabbi Buchwald, "If I became observant, would I have to give up all of those things I love?" He answered right away. "No Alan, you don't have to give those things up. You just need to put Judaism first."
The Miracle Of Yom Kippur
When one decides to have children, one has to decide: how one intends to bring them up, what values one will imbue in them and how one will stress their importance. Whatever they may be, when one instills the right values in a child, one later receives the dividends of one's efforts. This was proved so true this past Yom Kippur for Rebbetzin Judith Friedlander.
A Jewish Soldier
It was a difficult battle. Many were seriously injured and some did not survive, but Tomer came out alive and unharmed.
Flocking Together
Mynah birds are very good at adapting to new places and ousting the native bird populations. The crows and sparrows have all but disappeared since the mynah bird invasion of our neighborhood.
The Power of Tehillim: A Spark of Light, Eternal Memories
As we walked, I told her how I had hoped for the chance to thank her for her amazing visit.
Spare Change Can Spare A Life
It is said that giving charity can save one from death. We also believe that there is no such thing as a “coincidence.”
Dreams Fulfilled
Mommie assumed that within three days’ time, I would forget what I had experienced, but through a series of different occurrences, I did, in fact move to Crown Heights, as a young married woman, with my dear husband, as well as my long-awaited kinderlach who are indeed brachas from the Rebbe!
Returning The Kindness
The simple act of kindness should be the reward itself. Anything more in the form of a reward is gravy.
Finding Clara
We were pleasantly surprised, just after my wife lit the Shabbos candles, when Sonja’s face lit up and she exclaimed, “I remember my mother doing that!”
Overcoming Obstacles B’Simcha!
Family members, Baruch Hashem, came through lending the hosts two portable generators, which at the very least, could keep the seudot meals safe.
The Wings To Fly
One daughter flew in from the UK for a mere 50 hours – quite an amazing feat!
A Soul Revisited
While working for the U.S. Census Bureau in 1990, I knocked on the door of Soviet ?migr?s in Boro Park and proceeded to converse with them about their recent arrival to the United States. This elderly couple had come from Moldavia. They were survivors of both Nazi and Communist tyranny.
Some Of The Myriad Miracles Of This War
An interview was overheard in which an Arab asked a Hamas commander: "What's the problem? Why aren't you hitting your targets? Don't you know how to aim?" To which he was answered: "We know how to aim very well. We are experts. But their G-d moves the missiles."
Miracle In A Jerusalem Cab
We were not familiar with the process of wiring money to Israel when I got engaged, so I was just waiting for the money to come by mail.
Family Ties
Not long after my mother died, I was sitting on campus talking with a friend and mentioned that it had been a long time since I had seen a frog. I used to love going out into the garden with my mother and our St. Bernard dog in the autumn evenings and see the frogs come out. I have a thing about frogs – probably from reading too many fairy tales.