Around The World In Three Hundred Days: Reflections On A Year In Israel
As a person who grew up close to New York City, where everything is impressive and accessible, I never felt much of a need to go anywhere. In typical New York fashion, I considered local parks sufficient greenery, and never thought about traveling to places where the sky might be visible or that might have clean air. So it is not surprising that until last year the extent of my world travel consisted of several trips upstate, going to visit friends in New Jersey and Connecticut, and a couple of trips to Boston.
Beat
I hear a beat,
I know the sound
I feel a skip,
One that I’m used to
I see a picture,
But this one is new
I cry of pain,
Because I know this is real.
Sunset
After nearly three weeks, the miracle we had hoped for faded.
How To Raise Healthy Kids
I have worked as a nutritionist at a WIC office in Williamsburg for five years now, and combined with my observation of my children’s friends, I’ve come to a realization. Most people are no longer eating food, but rather food-like substances, and worse, they are feeding their children the same.
Part VII: The End…The Beginning
The first six sections of my story have focused on my struggles adapting to a strange college environment forced on me against my will. While that story is self-contained, I thought it would be worthwhile to at least partially answer the main question my book will address: What ended up happening to me? This is a fast-forwarded account that describes my watershed moment as a college student.
Modern, Kosher And Tantalizingly Delicious
It’s hard not to be intrigued by recipes with names like Thanksgiving Stuffing Soup, Braised Chicken with Rhubarb Gravy and Vidalia Onion Fritters with Sambal Yogurt Dip.
Ezra Stiles And The Jews Of Newport
The Rev. Ezra Stiles was born on November 29, 1727 in Connecticut and graduated from Yale University in 1746. He then studied theology at Yale and was ordained in 1749. After working as a tutor at Yale for a year, he began some mission work among the Indians. In 1752 he was forced to give this up due to ill health. He turned to the study of law and in 1753 took the attorney's oath. He practiced law in New Haven until 1755, whereupon he returned to the ministry, accepting the position of pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Newport, Rhode Island, serving there from 1755 until 1777.
‘Geh Avek’ (‘Go Away’)
The question that is on many people's mind these days is why the organizers of the international "Pride Parade" chose the holy city of Jerusalem as the venue for their exhibition.
Some Guidelines For Visitation (Part 2)
Last week, I started providing feedback on how to visit the sick or chronically ill.
Fit & Trim
If you normally drink zero cups a day, don’t flood your body with sudden large amounts of water.
It’s All In How It’s Said, Or Not Said
We all have our favorite charities. We tend to give more money to those charities that are close to our own experience, that have helped us or someone we know, or have touched our heartstrings in some way.
Torah Dedication In Historic Krakow Fulfills Late Rabbi’s Wish
Among the missions left unfinished after the passing of Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossie Raichik was the completion of a Torah Scroll for a synagogue bearing his ancestor's name. That changed last week as his widow, Dina Raichik, joined a procession of hundreds of singing celebrants through the streets of Krakow, Poland's historic Jewish quarter, to finally welcome the Holy Scroll in the centuries-old Rema Synagogue.
Don’t Toss It, Upcycle It!
The idea of breathing new life into something you already own, using leftover bits and pieces as springboards for future projects, is probably a tendency to which I am genetically inclined
The Chassidic Route In Poland
Every year more and more Jewish tourists go to Poland to visit the historic sites of pre-Shoah Jewish heritage.
Alcoholism: The Wreckage In Its Wake
Daily newspapers in Israel have recently included an uptick in drunk driving related articles, invariably detailing the horrific carnage left in their wake.
More Extracurricular in the Curriculum
Imagine, sitting through nine classes each day, not understanding the material being taught, and failing many subjects. This would be a terrible school experience.
Exploring Jewish Roots In Poland
Before my most recent trip to Poland I gave my readers a chance to hire me to find the town of their origin in Poland.
The Healthy Purim Possibility!
Kids want to be like their friends, and they want to give and get “normal” mishloach manos stocked with store-bought treats.
What I Learned from Hurricane Sandy
I am writing this column as Hurricane Sandy is barreling through the greater New York area, after having sorted a load of clean laundry by the light of a group of yahrtzeit candles and having washed my supper dishes with the aid of a clip on barbeque lamp. My electricity went out almost four hours ago and thoughts of what I did right and what I did wrong in preparation for a one of a kind storm that ironically, bears my name are still fresh in my mind.
Testimonials – A Husband Speaks
Recognition of well spouses has come a long way since I first began writing about them.
Purim Panic
Imagine you were a doctor, and then, one day a year, everyone tried his or her hand at surgery.
How To Make Sheva Brochot
It’s easy to get excited and start hunting for the perfect shade of champagne tablecloth to match the exact color of the bridesmaid dresses, or to insist that each guest must have a wine glass, water glass and soda glass.
It All Comes Out In The Wash
This past Friday it was finally almost official. It was going to happen. Be’ezras Hashem.
Savory Slow Cooker Meals
You know the way your house smells on Friday night when the cholent is bubbling away in the crockpot? Did you ever think of using that crock-pot or slow cooker during the week? Well, I did and I had no idea one slow cooker could create so many tasty dishes, all easy to whip up and full of flavor.
The Adventures of Mollie
I was a bit surprised to see my sister Rini sitting in the rocking chair at the end of the kitchen, rocking peacefully back and forth. Rini, age eleven, generally prefers more intense activities, such as bike riding, ripsticking, and yelling.
Getting The Big Picture
As Bnei Yisroel passed through the land of Ya'azer and Gilad in the "Ever HaYarden" (land East of the Jordan River) they noticed that the land was very fertile and quite suitable for grazing animals.
Being An Ostrich Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
The price of deliberate obliviousness is very high - emotionally, physically, socially, and financially.