Rabbi Dr. Bernard (Yissachar Dov) Illowy (Part I)
He was a powerful and fascinating speaker and convincing preacher, and his ministrations were so successful that his synagogue on Sabbath and holidays was always crowded with worshipers...
The Walking Wounded: Children Of Survivors
Hitler's destruction of the Jewish family continued long after the liberation.
‘Playing’ It Safe For Your Children
A few years ago I wrote in this column that at the bris of my oldest son - held in a shul whose members were for the most part elderly - a wizened old man approached me, peered into my face and muttered in a raspy voice with a Yiddish accent, "May your children sit shiva for you." I was too stunned to say anything to him and just shook my head as he walked away. I thought, "nebach, he must be demented."
Your Rights Are At Stake
If you're part of the 95% of Americans who own an Apple device, you're being spied on at this very moment.
‘Single-minded’
The somber Three Weeks period of semi-mourning that we observed recently has been quickly replaced with the whirlwind post Tisha b'av "wedding season." With an avalanche of invitations spilling out of mailboxes, and myriad calls made regarding time and place of sheva brachot, it seems like everyone you know is joyfully making a simcha.
Found: Long-Lost Holocaust Hero
How does an American Jew go about finding the Ukrainian non-Jew who, 65 years ago, saved his mother's life by hiding her in his hayloft for three years?
The Smart Schlimazels And Cunning Shlemiels
We all know them - the sad sacks who seemingly were born under a bad constellation.
Special Chanukah Parody Edition
Question: How do you celebrate Chanukah?
Israel Is Real
They are all heroes, I thought to myself, those who go – and those who let go.
Difficult Questions In Polish-Jewish Dialogue
Whenever I meet people, and they find out I write about Jewish life in Poland, invariably they have questions.
Death Of A Spouse: Part Two – Preparing
Many well spouses are alone even though they are married. Their partners often cannot participate in the things they loved to do.
Project Reach, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services Bay Ridge Jewish Center
Question: What do you miss about life in Russia?
My Ever Decreasing Circle Of Good Friends
My mother used to say you never know who your good friends are until you go through a crisis.
Busy, Busy, Busy
Given those realities, I am embarking on a mission to reclaim my life, adding some order and discipline that will hopefully give me more usable time within my day.
How To Make Pesach Cleaning Stress Free!
I think if we can be honest with ourselves, most women will admit to enjoying Pesach cleaning - and perhaps to even looking forward to it all year long.
Choosing Divorce (Part One)
So often when I speak to well spouse support groups, and we talk about how difficult the life of a well spouse is, the topic of why we stay in the marriage comes up for discussion.
Jonas Phillips: Patriotic Colonial Jewish Businessman
In 1787 Jonas wrote a letter to Congress asking that the federal Constitution guarantee religious liberty in the state of Pennsylvania.
?Cease-Fire? Spreads To Jordan As Arabs Kill Jew In Amman
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The Middle East ?cease-fire? spread this week to Jordan when an Israeli was shot to death in Amman Monday night. The victim, a diamond merchant in his 50s, was gunned down as he left an apartment he apparently maintained in the Jordanian capital.
In a statement called in to Abu Dhabi television, a group identifying itself as the Islamic Jordanian Resistance Movement took credit for the killing.
Spiritual Mindfulness: Embracing Hillel
She is afraid to ask for the going rate for her skill set, aware that she is replaceable – and she needs the income from her job to help support her family.
Nineteenth-Century Sabbath Observance
The previous two columns discussed kashrus and bris milah observance in America during the 19th century. The trend was that until about 1860 most Jews were careful to observe these mitzvos. However, in the latter part of the century many Jews abandoned keeping kosher both at home and in public. Bris milah, though, was generally observed throughout the entire century.
The Ultimate Title Match
Pesach is the time of redemption and salvation, which can often come from the most unexpected sources. Such is the story of a boxing title fight in Yankee Stadium that launched a young boy from Russia on a journey to discover his Jewish heritage in Israel.
Tragedy In Bilgoraj Jewish Cemetery
Last week I wrote about the Bilgoraj group that traveled to Poland last year and had a somewhat good experience.
Psycho Neurological Testing And Counseling
Over the last two weeks we have been discussing one way in which well spouses can determine whether behavior displayed by their ill partners is caused by their illness or is a way they have chosen to act. We have focused on Psycho-Neurological testing, what it can tell us, as well as its pros and cons.
The Wall
As they fall upon us we go
To the WALL.
Kingsway Jewish Center, Brooklyn
Question: Is capital punishment "cruel and unusual"?
Setting Up A Newlywed’s Apartment
To avoid all this waste and unnecessary anxiety, let’s break the task down step by step and tackle each one at a time.
How To Clean Your House In Seven Days Or Less
When I was first married, a good friend invited us over for Shabbos. Nechuma works multiple jobs, has six children, and always produces the most lavish Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. When I asked her what her trick was, she told me: “A house always looks nice as long as it is clean.”