The extraordinary work that Chabad of the Five Towns does for the special needs population through its Friendship Circle program for children with special needs has been recognized by the UJA Federation of New York. Read More »
552 posts
The Jewish Star 
HAFTR Highlights
With a return to school following the winter break, HAFTR High School students continued to participate and expand their horizons through a multitude of in-school activities as well as extracurricular activities. Read More »
Senior Stresses
The things I love about coming home after being away are: eating my own home-cooked food, sleeping in our comfortable bed, getting back into a “normal” routine, and, well, that’s about it! The things I don’t enjoy are: catching up with mounds of Read More »
Ask Aviva: Being your emotional mechanic
Dear Aviva, I’m what one would call a sensitive soul. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, I take every little thing to heart! I get offended easily, worry about what people think of me, and wonder if I am well liked or not. Read More »
A royal wine experience
In anticipation of next week’s upcoming Kosher Food and Wine Experience, I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Royal Wine, KFWE’s host and the kosher wine industries’ undisputed king. Read More »
Who’s in the kitchen: Not your mother’s salad
Salads can take their place proudly at any stage of a meal. Crisp and crunchy or lightly cooked to perfection. They can be complimented with a delicately flavored dressing, and be served as a first course, without dulling your appetite. They also make perfect accompaniments to a main dish. Read More »
A truly humble leader
As an introduction to the events that will unfold on the mountain, God tells Moshe to tell the people that they will soon become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to God. (19: 5-6) The Torah then tells us that, “Moshe came and summoned the elders of the people, conveying to them all that God had said. Read More »
Five Towner articulates “What it means to be a Jew”
The black and white pictures of Jewish personalities and scenes float, shuffle, and gather across the velvet-black as the violin-led strains of the theme from Schindler’s List plays. Albert Einstein, Eli Weisel, a street in Europe, an Israeli flag unfurled at the Kotel and then the cursive words “What It Means to Be a Jew” appear and fade. Read More »
The Kosher Bookworm: Ten Commandments and Counting
Rabbi Etshalom’s new commentary, “Between the Lines of the Bible” volume two is unique in many ways, however, simply put, for an English work it is quite different in both content and organization. Read More »
Samson vs. David: YINW talk gives new insight into leadership traits
Samson and David are “mirror characters,” declared Dr. Yael Ziegler. They start out with similar traits, she said, but they take the traits in different directions. “One succeeds, one fails,” she pointed out, one ushers in a period of failure, one establishes the monarchy and the future of the nation of Israel. Read More »
FIVE TOWNS FANS’ GIANT CELEBRATION
After spending the day in lower Manhattan with throngs of Giants supporters, it’s clear that I speak for the entire Giants Nation when I say “WE DID IT!!” As a guy who “has never played the game,” I have no real feel for how much any of the off field hoopla affects what happens on the field. Read More »
When the greater good isn’t good enough
When we hear comments such as, “Mussolini made the trains run on time,” or “Madoff was a prominent philanthropist,” does anyone today take those as actual excuses for bad behavior? As a world, should we slap them on the wrist and say the greater good Read More »
Why is Rep. Steve Israel taking campaign donations from industries he is overseeing?
Steve understands that while we’re trying to work our way out of this economic crisis, we have to hold the financial industry accountable to prevent the next one. That’s why Steve wrote a bill that would have taken back the bonuses paid to top executives at Wall Street firms – like AIG – that received federal bailout funds. Read More »
Who’s in the kitchen: Super snack Sunday
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Although I’m a Dolphin’s fan, I’ll be cheering on the Giants, alongside my husband, Jerry and close friends, who are diehard fans. At least I’ll have the satisfof knowing The 72′ Dolphins remain the only NFL team to complete an entire season undefeated and untied from the opening game through the Super Bowl. Read More »
Adrenaline Junkie… Not!
I’m not much for adventure — call me a chicken, wimp, or scaredy cat, I don’t care! I subscribe to the “better safe than sorry” rule and as a diehard city girl, I find that riding the subway in the city late at night provides enough thrills! But I do Read More »
Eating Disorders amongst our young people
It was a serious and somber Sunday evening at Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, where 30 people sat and listened to a panel discussion called Eating Disorders Among Our Young People. Read More »
The Kosher Bookworm: Part Two: Shabbat Shirah and the Jewish Spring
According to Dr. Rachel Kolander of the Department of Music of Bar Ilan University,”The Hebrew word shirah has three meanings: poetic writing,often incorporating rhyme and having a specific, known meter; musical vocal production, combining acoustic parameters and textual meaning; instrumental musical production. Read More »
Parashat Beshalach 5772, 2012: Changing and Perfecting the World
Parashat Beshalach 5772, 2012: Changing and Perfecting the World Dedicated to the sacred memories of my sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, my sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, and Shifra bat Chaim Alter, and the refuah shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Read More »
Calendar week of February 2, 2012
Shabbat, Feb. 3-4 Congregation Beth Sholom Scholar In Residence: Rabbi Natan Slifkin Friday 8p.m. – “One People, Two Worlds: Rationalists and Mystics” Shabbat Morning 11: 00 a.m. – “Battle for Beit Shemesh: The Evolution of Chareidim” Shabbat Afternoon – 5: 00 p.m. Read More »
Will Iran change its mind?
One of the greatest gifts we have in this world is the ability to make choices in our lives. Though sometimes, we might wish we didn’t have to make those choices. Choices; sometimes obvious, often difficult, we don’t always relish the weight and challenge that come with them, but they are, in the end, part of what make us who we are. Read More »
Getting angry, speaking calmly
After the splitting of the sea, the people begin to settle into their wilderness existence, and become the recipients of a daily dose of manna from heaven. The instructions as to what this food is, how it is to be rationed, and how it is to be cooked and eaten are given piecemeal. Read More »
Obama trashes Israel for settlements, silent when Palestinian Authority praises Fogel family
Sometime around 10: 30 on a Friday evening on March 11, 2011, terrorists entered the house in the Israeli community of Itamar. It was the house of the Fogel family. They entered through the living room picture window but did not notice 6-year-old child Roi sleeping on the couch. Read More »
Ask Aviva: Wedding Plans?
Dear Aviva, We are making our first wedding for our son in a few months. While we love our future daughter-in-law, we are really uneasy with her parents. It seems like they are better off financially than we are, yet they are penny-pinching this whole affair. Read More »
Ask Aviva: Why can’t we be friends?
Dear Aviva, What is your take on platonic relationships? I’m in the dating scene, and while I am marriage minded, I really appreciate my close friendships, even though they are inter-gender. The problem is that people keep telling me that I give off mixed signals. Read More »
Achieving True Spiritual Growth
Parashat Bo 5772, 2012: Achieving True Spiritual Growth Rabbi David Etengoff Dedicated to the sacred memories of my sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, my sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, and Shifra bat Chaim Alter, and the refuah shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Miriam. Read More »
Far flung family
When I was a child I dreamt that I’d marry into an immigrant family very similar to my own. My children would grow up speaking Spanglish and we’d continue the traditions I grew up with. But other than my extended family I really didn’t know many other Jewish Cubans living in Brooklyn. Read More »
Calendar for the week Jan. 27, 2012
Jan. 29 Eating Disorders Among our Young People Congregation Aish Kodesh, Woodmere Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, radio personality, author, syndicated columnist and Director of the Center for Torah Initiatives and Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies at the Lander College for Women is keynote speaker at 8 p.m. Panel of experts including Dr. Read More »
Forget the cheese(heads), Midwest’s Bratwurst is best for NY football fans
Vince Lombardi set the standard for excellence in sport by being the first coach to not only hoist the sterling pigskin but to earn the right twice in a row thus cementing himself in the annals of NFL history and insuring that the twenty two inch silver trophy would eventually bear his name. Read More »
Who’s in the kitchen: Cruisin’ without losin’
Having worked as a pastry chef for many years, I thought I knew all there was to know about the inner workings of an industrial kitchen. At least I thought I did. Read More »
Former Mayor Ed Koch folds for Obama–again
After three years of criticizing President Barack Obama’s anti-Israel policies, former Mayor Ed Koch has once again decided to be an advocate for Obama in the Jewish community–without any clear changes in Obama’s positions. This is not Koch’s first such reversal. Read More »
Jonathan Greenstein: Antique Judaica collector’s corner
Dear Mr. Greenstein, I recently read your online article about your expertise in evaluating antique Judaica. Attached are photos of a silver B’samim Box I was given by the National Jewish Welfare Board about 45 years ago while serving as an army chaplain on Fort Ord, CA. Read More »
Parshat Bo: Living in the moment
What does it mean to truly live in, to truly be in a moment? One day, when we are all up in heaven, perhaps I will have the chance to ask Noam Apter, 22, of Otniel. Read More »
The Kosher Bookworm: Part One: Perek Shirah As Nature’s Song
With the advent of the Jewish month of Shevat, and Shabbat Shirah, can an early spring be not too far behind? With this warm thought in mind our focus for the next two weeks will be upon several literary works that hopefully will give you a clearer picture concerning the importance that this time of year represents in the Jewish tradition. Read More »
A sign for you
When one reads through Shmot Chapter 12, it becomes quite clear that blood will play a significant role in bringing about the salvation of the Hebrew slaves at the midnight hour when Egypt will be struck its most devastating blow. Verses 7, 13, 22 and 23, when run together, read something like this. Read More »
Vibrant and going strong at 100!Local women celebrating milestone
In commemoration of Hadassah’s upcoming centennial milestone, Long Beach’s Tziporah chapter held a “ Stories to Share, Recipes to Savor” event on Thursday, January 12. Read More »
Warm welcome for IDF Colonel who serves up Torah
This past weekend, several Five Towns and Far Rockaway area shuls played host to several speaking engagements sponsored by Panim el Panim. Read More »
Israel’s Challenges as 2012 is already filling up its plate
2012 has thus far brought a lot of activity to Israel that could be indicative of the year it is expected to have. The growing internal strife that has become very public between the religious right and most others to the left of them is threatening the foundation of Israel’s society. Read More »
Swastika vandalism reported
Within days of each other, Nassau County Police Department has reported two unrelated incidents of swastika graffiti both in the 6th Precinct, one in Great Neck, the other in SeaCliff. According to detectives, between the hours of 4: 30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 and 11: 00 a.m. on Sat., Jan. Read More »
YIW shidduch initiative progresses
The second phase of the Young Israel of Woodmere’s “it takes a shul to make a match” shidduch initiative took place Tuesday night with an intense evening of brainstorming and networking in an effort to find a suitable match for local singles affiliated with shul members. Read More »
A support system for single parents
The Shabbos table is beautifully set. The candles radiate a holy glow. The young, adorable children are sitting around the table. The mother is standing silently and Kiddush is about to be made. Read More »
JCC and UJA-Federation of NY provide assistance for residents
The recession has had a profound affect on individuals and families and the Five Towns community is no exception. Since the meltdown in 2008 many area residents have found themselves without a job, or working for less than what they had been earning. Many find it hard to make ends meet, or find a job. Read More »
Antique Judaica Collector’s Corner: Greenstein Gallery owner opines about treasures
At 14 years old, while most boys were into sports, I was working at a part time job at an antique store on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. It was 1980 and silver prices were insanely high. Every little old Jewish lady was bringing in their family’s antique Kiddush cup, menorah, spice box, etc to sell for the melt value of silver. Read More »
Rambam Reflections
As a senior in Rambam Mesivta, there are unfortunately only a few more months left to savor before I continue on life’s journey, wherever that may take me. B’ezrat Hashem, next year, and perhaps the year after next, I will be in Israel “The Holy Land,” studying in Yeshiva before I continue on to college. Read More »
Kosher Bookworm: Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Teachings: “The Great Unification: Balance of Genders”
He was one of the all time greats in Jewish thought and theology. Although a mystic he was venerated by non-mystics. Read More »
Calendar for the week of Jan. 6, 2012
Jan. 7 Rabbi Doctor Aaron Glatt gives an important community-wide shiur Chofetz Chaim Torah Center, located at 7 Derby Avenue in Cedarhurst, and under the leadership of Rav Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, is proud to invite the Men and Women in the Five Towns Community to a special and important shiur entitled “Death with Halachic Dignity”. Rabbi Dr. Read More »
Jewish heritage night lights up coliseum
On Thursday, December 29, thousands of fans poured into Nassau Coliseum, to celebrate the Fourth Annual Jewish Heritage night sponsored by the Islanders and Chabad of West Hempstead. Thursday night’s thrilling Islanders victory over the Calgary Flames was certainly impressive, but not as exciting as the Chanukah and Jewish festivities of the night. Read More »
From the Heart of Jerusalem: A Miracle of Perspective
This week’s article is dedicated in honor of the marriage of Carly Rothenberg to Marc Friedman: May they always be blessed, and may they always appreciate all their blessings…. Read More »
Parshat Vaychi
In the last verse in Chapter 48, Yaakov promises Yosef the city of Shechem, “…which I took from the Emorite with my sword and bow.” Up until now the only thing we know about any “taking of the city of Shechem” is that Shimon and Levi took up arms and massacred the males of the city in retaliation for the treatment accorded to their sister Dinah. Read More »
The Iranian Dilemma
Ever since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, relations between Iran and the West have increasingly deteriorated. Read More »
News from Rambam Mesivta
Saluting Our Troops Students at Rambam Mesivta are imbued with the message that we are fortunate to live in a Medinas Chesed and owe a tremendous amount of hakarat hatov to this great country. On the most fundamental level we must serve as loyal citizens and be meticulous in our observance of the laws of the land. Read More »
Yeshiva University Basketball Looking back, past teammates reconnecting and scoring big
On December 18, Yeshiva University hosted an event in honor of past Yeshiva University Mac captains during the halftime of a basketball game between the current YU Macs and the St. Joseph College Bears at the beautiful Mac home gym on Wilf Campus. Read More »
Atlantic Beach surfers ride the charitable wave Collecting surfboards for Israeli donation
Inspired by the film documentary “White Wash” that tells the story of surfing through the lives of black surfers in Hawaii, Jamaica, Florida and California, Atlantic Beach residents Oran Bendelstein and Mike Urra decided to collect old, used surfboards and donate them to economically disadvantaged children in Israel. Read More »
Ask Aviva: Making the Right Adjustment
Dear Aviva, I’m 20 years old and I grew up in a Modern Orthodox family. I went to Yeshiva in Israel for two years and became much more right-wing than my family. Now that I’m back, I’m finding it very difficult to adjust. I go to a local college and live at home. I have a Chavrusa and learn as much as I can when I’m not in school. Read More »
Miriam’s Musings: Breaking Bread
I finally conquered a very old fear. You may find it laughable that for a long while I harbored a terror of unicellular fungi, aka, yeast, but how that fear held me back! I have been cooking since my late teens, hosting friends at my parents’ house whenever they were away for an evening. Read More »
Calendar for the Week 12-30-2011
Dec. 31 Melave Malka Reception A Melave Malka is being held on Motzei Shabbos, December 31 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shabse Fuchs at 18 Lord Avenue in Lawrence. The reception will begin at 8: 00 p.m. and the formal program will begin at 9: 00 p.m. Keynote address by Horav Yisroel Reisman. Read More »
HAFTR highlights
This week, HAFTR High School has been in a celebratory mood. From Chanukah to several impressive college acceptances, high school students have enjoyed a week of excitement and fun. To many students, including myself, an important benefit of Chanukah is a week free of tests. Read More »
A different kind of beer
I love celebrating the secular New Year and I enjoy partaking in bubbly. New Year’s, above other holidays, tends to demand a more refined beverage for toasting to the years conclusion. That is why there is more champagne purchased in the month of December than any other time of the year. Read More »
Enlightening the world through communication
I always look forward to. For eight days, I get more and more excited as the day continues and the next night of Chanukah approaches. Read More »
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