With Eugen Gluck’s passing, the Jewish people have lost one of their pillars
Eugen Gluck was a gift from heaven. A giant among men. But first and foremost, he was a righteous man. Eugen showed everyone who knew him what they should strive for in life. Truly...
High Holiday challenge for college kids: Finding their (spiritual) home away from home
Spending the High Holidays away from home can be a lonely experience.
And, sadly, without the family around, many a Jewish college student simply ignores the call of the shofar—even the apples and honey—and attends...
Yiddish and Other Languages
I speak French with my head and Yiddish with my heart.
I learned French in school and made it my field of study and my profession. I know it well enough to call myself functionally...
Some Secrets of the Jewish Calendar
Although the holiday of Rosh Hashanah occurs in the seventh month of the Jewish year, it begins a new calendar year, and those observing Jewish holidays understand they are using a calendar substantially different...
Back home in the Shetlands, a taste of nostalgia and singular Jewish life
It was SRO, standing-room only—an amazing turnout. Young and old, locals and tourists, poured into the venue as part of my travels “back home.” They came, anxious to listen to my book talk and...
As Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood grows, tensions spill into neighboring towns
When the power went out in Jackson, N.J., on a particularly hot summer night, Howard Orama and his family, including his wife, Carol, and adult son, were planning to do what they always did:...
‘Reverse Tashlich’ program encourages Jews to keep the oceans clean
A Florida-based program aimed at reconnecting Jewish people to the ocean and empowering them to help keep the sea clean is attracting attention from communities around the United States and even in Israel.
On Rosh...
Impact investing meets social welfare: How a 99-year-old Israeli institution stays relevant
Here’s a riddle: What Israeli institution about to celebrate its centennial anniversary, is not officially part of the government, but has a special status not reserved for typical private nonprofit?
The answer: Keren Hayesod (United...
Israel launches tech program for ‘Haredi ‘ men and women
The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services is starting a new program to help haredim find jobs in high-tech industries in Israel.
The program will have a budget of approximately $2.8 million and offer scholarships...
After nearly eight decades, Moldova reopens synagogue seized by Soviets
A synagogue in Moldova that was seized by the Soviet Union almost eight decades ago was reopened on Sunday.
About 300 people attended the reopening of the Wooden Synagogue, or the Lemnaria Synagogue, in the basement...