Rating Jerusalem Film Festival entries
Michal and I eagerly look forward to the Jerusalem Film Festival, held every summer in Israel’s capital. This year was no exception. When possible, we try to book an extended stay in this unique...
More products on the market for the Jewish consumer
We hear often about declining rates of affiliation in the Jewish community, but retailers apparently are not overly concerned. Affiliated or not, many Jews still identify with Jewish traditions, customs, and history, and therein...
Parashat Re’eh רְאֵה
HaShem says to Bnei-Yisrael “Re’eh” “רְאֵה“ (look) as you all witness here today, both two options are given to you. The option of blessings or the option of curses will be given to you...
World Jewish Congress to co-host international conference on Yiddish culture and language
The location of this year’s event is particularly noteworthy, as Czernowitz is the home of the very first international Yiddish Language Conference, convened 110 years ago as the first non-party confab to deal with...
A story of a spirited lifetime
We learn to drink from and with family, friends, and colleagues starting at the family table, temptations of fake I.D.s, followed by college, Navy, coworkers, restaurant wine tasting, and other influences. Turning 21 is...
Parashat Eikev עֵקֶב
Moshe taught Bnei-Yisrael how to truly understand each Mitzvah regardless of its “weight” and importance. The laws of our Miztvot are profound and follow a simple rule called “Kalah KeVaChamurah” (“קלה כבחמורה”), meaning each...
Reading on my Jewish family vacation
OCEANSIDE, California — What does family vacation mean? It used to be an oxymoron ranking with giant shrimp, military intelligence, and other improbables. Destination vacations, national parks, beaches, mountains, desert, camping, rv’s, condos, five-star...
Welcome to Israel: 232 new immigrants arrive on ‘aliyah’
A total of 232 new immigrants touched down at Ben-Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning on the latest aliyahflight chartered by the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization. On board from North America were 127 children under age...
Parashat Va’etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן
The first word in our Parasha is “Va’etchanan” “וָאֶתְחַנַּן“ (and I begged), signifies a fundamental change in Moshe’s demeanor and harsh reality. Moshe humbly asked HaShem for something that his whole existence was based...
Two young couples set to revive Jewish life and Israeli culture in Berlin
Religious Zionists are usually the last types of Israelis to visit Berlin, let alone live there. As staunch nationalists loyal to the Jewish homeland, they’re often less forgiving of Germany’s dark past than their...