Conscripted for Life?
On August 26, 1827, Czar Nicholas I set into motion the terrible ordeal of the cantonists. Cantonist schools, which had originally served as pre-military boarding schools for military…
Teach The Girls
In the late 19th century, European Jewish communities began to notice that the younger generation of women were focused on the outside world and were no longer interested in maintaining…
Bo 5769-2009
"It's Payback Time!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the concluding chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Bo, G-d commands Moses to inform the people to sanctify the firstborn. The…
Tetzaveh 5763-2003
"The Primacy of Jewish Education" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In last week's parasha, parashat Terumah, we read of the appeal for donations to build the Tabernacle--the portable…
Va’etchanan 5761-2001
"The Mandate for Parental Involvement in Jewish Education" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Va'etchanan, we encounter not only the Ten Commandments, but also…
Chayei Sarah,Weekly Message,Genesis
Chayei Sarah 5773-2012
"Beware Not to Return My Son There!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn that Abraham, who is well-on in years, is deeply concerned about…
Yitro 5767-2007
"Will Our Children be Our Guarantors?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Yitro, the glorious Revelation takes place at Mt. Sinai, at which G-d delivers the…
Va’etchanan 5780-2020
“The Mandate for Parental Involvement in Jewish Education” (updated and revised from Va’etchanan 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, we…
Balancing Torah and General Studies
While different Jewish schools offer different amounts of study hours devoted to secular studies, all schools subscribe to value of studying Torah and Jewish studies. Everyone can find a…
Chukat 5770-2010
"And from Mattanah to Nahaliel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chukat, after a series of battles and confrontations with hostile nations, the Torah records…