The Jazz Singer
Breaking into show business has never been easy. Like many early twentieth century entertainers, Asa Yoelson (1886-1950), along with his brother Hirsh (Harry), moved from singing on the…
Israel’s Beloved Ofra
If one mentions the name Ofra Haza to Israelis of a certain age, you will likely see a smile followed by a look of sadness. Ofra was the darling of Israel, with a voice from the heavens,…
Re'eh,Weekly Message,Deuteronomy
Re’eh 5766-2006
"Adding or Subtracting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re'eh is a rich and colorful parasha that contains 55 mitzvot, 17 positive and 38 negative. Among the most intriguing of the…
Yitro 5763-2003
"'Proving G-d's Existence" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, in Exodus 20, we read the first of the two versions of the "Ten Commandments" that…
Terumah 5765-2005
"Identifying the Essentials of Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Terumah, is the first of four parashiot: Terumah, Tetzaveh, Vayakhel, Pekudei, and…
Va’eira 5761-2001
"The Subtle Slavery" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, G-d promises Moshe that the Jewish people will ultimately be redeemed. Again and again…
Appreciate Yiddish Culture
Whether attending Yiddish theater or reading Yiddish writings, there is much to learn about the Jewish experience both in Europe and about those Jews who came to America in the late 19th…
Yitro 5782-2022
“'Proving' G-d’s Existence" (updated and revised from Yitro 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Exodus 20, in this week’s parasha, parashat Yitro, we read the first of the two…
Appreciate Yiddish Culture
Whether attending Yiddish theater or reading Yiddish writings, there is much to learn about the Jewish experience both in Europe and about those Jews who came to America in the late 19th…
Terumah 5783-2023
“Identifying the Essentials of Life” (updated and revised from Terumah 5765-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Terumah, is the first of four parashiot:…