News and Reflections
Thoughts on Yom Kippur – October 10, 2011
Just two days ago, on Saturday, Jews all over the world marked the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. I wanted to share some thoughts with you that were part of my Yom Kippur experience this year. The fast began just before 5 pm on Friday....
Planting Trees – February 7, 2012
Tomorrow is Tu B’Shvat, the annual holiday of trees. Although this day was well known in Jewish sources for centuries, since the beginning of the 20th century, when Jews began returning to the Land of Israel in large numbers, this day took on greater...
Elections in Israel and America – January 10, 2012
Israeli politics are known for their volatility and unexpectedness. There have only been 6 Israeli governments which served their full term, the last one ending in 1988. The Knesset (Israeli Parliament) generally finds a reason to disband the government before the...
People in My Neighborhood: Shalom
FEBRUARY 2012 He’s our car mechanic. His garage is conveniently located in the Industrial Area right outside Karnei Shomron. But Shalom is also my neighbor, his house on the block parallel to mine. Shalom is an interesting personality. When you go to...
Reflections on Adar
The month of Adar always keeps me on an emotional roller coaster. Usually coinciding with the month of March, it is a natural time of happiness. The jolly, festive holiday of Purim falls in the middle of Adar, and for weeks beforehand, schools, kinder- gartens,...
The Joy of Sharing Shabbat – February 12, 2013
As I write this newsletter, I am in Australia on what has become an annual February trip. This is my third visit to this far away country and, as always, I so enjoy the people, the landscapes and the weather. Although the news was full of terrible floods and wild...
Reflections on Yeshiva High Schools
December 2009 We had parent teacher conferences on Sunday for my 14 year old son Avraham. Avraham’s our first boy after four daughters, so choosing a high school for him had been a new experience. Dormitory schools are pretty standard, especially for boys, and I...
Reflections on the Torah Portion of the Week
January 2008 The weekly Torah portion that is read in the synagogue every Shabbat morning is actually a section of the Five Books of Moses that becomes part of a Jew’s entire week. Even Elitzur, still in nursery school, has a Rabbi come in every week to give his...
Reflections on The Shema
August 2010 Yesterday, my daughter Avigayil came by with my 21-month-old grandson Amit, for a visit. He was being especially cooperative in letting her “run him through his paces”, happily showing off his latest learned tricks. As soon as she started singing...
Reflections on the Passover Service
April 2011 Just last night, Jews from all over the world sat down to the Pesach Seder, the festive meal that opens the Passover holiday. It is a culmination of weeks of preparation and anticipation. Everyone—young and old, religiously observant and secular—sits...