The Mirror Mission: Power To Stand After The Fall
The eyes crawl down my spine. The eyes examine the bumps and ghost-like skin. Proceeding to turn around, our eyes meet. The stranger looks down.
Perspective: A Purim Poem
Her faith she had to hide,
To find out the king tried
But no answer would ever come from
His wife.
So Totally Sick Of School: Depicting Life As A First Year Law Student
I hear my alarm clock buzzing
But my body refuses to budge
It needs another shot of caffeine
In the form of a latte with mocha-fudge
A Letter To My Camper
Dear Ariana,
It was a steep, downhill walk from our bunkhouse to the marquee where we would be lighting Shabbos candles. A weak sun sank lower into the mountains, the sky behind it a hazy yellow with streaks of pink weaving their way through purple accents.
Destination
When the train has departed the station,
Fresh of food and of saturation,
The journey ahead excites,
With all the could bes and the might's,
Writer Profile: Elke Weiss
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...
Say What?
It was September 25, 2006. Tammy, an oblivious, petite, third grader lay in bed, counting her stationary collection, when she decided she needed a drink. As she descended the staircase, she was surprised to see her mother dressed in this bubby-like gown.
In Your Hands
The sounds and scents of the kitchen are cozy, familiar, but loud in the silence.
The Intruder
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.
And He Created Man With His Mold…
Those people. The ones that hang out at the library, or in certain sections of town, walking, talking...
Connections Built By Disconnections
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.
Bubby’s iPad
Yossi wanted to scream. His friends in class constantly bragged about the wonders of iPhones, iPods and iPads. It seemed that every guy in school had their own gadget given to him by his “wealthy” parents. Yossi felt he was the only one who didn’t have one, but he pretended he did so as not to be left out.
Thanking Our ‘Squantos’
It’s the classic image - the pumpkins; the berries; the squash, the turkey. It’s the beginning of a season that brings with it a sudden, exciting feeling. It’s the crisp fall air turning to gray winter; the strings of perfect, colorful leaves decorating doors and houses, the bright hues of reds and oranges. It almost feels like the cinnamon in the pumpkin pie is somehow in the air.
To Touch the Sky: Jewish Survival Through A Child’s Eyes
"Grandpa," I wondered, as the swing began to slow down, "why are there numbers on your arm?"
Tears Of Sadness, Tears Of Joy
The tear is rolling down my cheek. It lands atop my lips. I lick my lips to remove the dryness and the saltiness soaks into my tongue. I take a long deep breath and begin to think. Why? How could she do that to me? We’re best friends. We’ve known each other practically since we were born. How could she go and do such a horrible thing?
Tree Of Life
Girls don't usually learn Gemara. Everyone knows that.
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.
A Lesson In Education
When I first decided to become an English major, I didn't really anticipate any problems that would involve my Judaism. This is not a common choice for Orthodox college women, but I chose a different path because I knew what I loved and I was confident that I could land some sort of job with an English degree.
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.
What Is God Teaching Me With The Laws Of Kosher?
Since the moment God gave the Torah to the Jewish people, keeping kosher has been an essential part of the Jewish home. Accordingly, the home is an essential part of a Torah lifestyle. What goes on in the home directly affects what goes on in the rest of one’s life. The question is, why kosher?
The Five Commandments
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.
A World Of Kindness
I have to admit it. I was scared. And I don’t get scared. Or at least I don’t like to advertise when I do. But the wording of the e-mail from the U.S. State Department was so… harsh. Violent armed robberies are on the rise in Peru. In just three days I was going to be a U.S. citizen traveling alone to this apparent hotbed of crime called Peru, starting out in big, bad Lima.
Appreciating The Everyday
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?
A Trip Through History
A week- seven days. That’s how long I spent in the dustbin of Jewish History that is Poland. I went there to learn about, and to see first hand, the country that housed the absolute horrors of the Holocaust, but I also went to see the places that had once housed such rich Jewish life. As such the trip focused, in my opinion, on three aspects of Jewish life in Poland: pre-war, the Holocaust years and then post-war.
What It Means To Be Chosen
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?
The Power of Human Interaction
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.
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.
A Great Person
"Fear absolutely no one or nothing but G-d, and love every single Jew no matter who he/she is and no matter what he/she is doing.”
Reality Threat
The following is a partial list of things I always knew I would never be good at:
1) Math
2) Creative writing
3) Jewish outreach
4) Playing with children
Jewish Outreach At Yale University
JLIC campus couples serve as tremendous role models for Jewish students on campus...