With Zeal
Make Judaism a vibrant and important part of your life. It is interesting to note that in this week’s Torah reading, Pinchas is identified as a descendant of Aaron the High Priest. His…
Jewish Judo
With the summer Olympics set to begin in Paris, Jewish Treats takes a look at how judo became an Olympic women’s sport. If you have tuned into the Olympic games in the past, you have…
The Hebrew University
Since its first official overseas program in 1955, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has attracted thousands of young Jewish adults from both North America and Europe. Hebrew University…
Smashing the Tablets
The sages declare that five tragedies occurred on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, today's date which we observe as a fast day. Days of what we might now call “bad karma” (on which bad things…
Pinchas 5784-2024
"Whatever Became of the Sons of Korach” (updated and revised from Pinchas 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, opens with the Al-mighty’s…
Chosen To Write
In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with an angel and emerged with a new name, Israel, “He who struggles.” In the 20th-21st century, Western Jews spend a great amount of energy wrestling with…
Written for Their Sons
Imagine traveling forward 500 years in time and discovering multitudes of people studying something you had written for your child. Imagine walking into a bookstore and finding multiple…
Plan Ahead
In addition to sumptuous food and playing with friends, it behooves those responsible for children to identify spiritual pursuits for children as well, be they prayers, or Torah study.…
Get Out
The history of the Jews in Europe can almost be read as a timeline of expulsions. At one time or another, Jews have either been expelled from, or prohibited to settle in, almost every…
Know Your Jewish History
Given the many expulsions that Jews suffered throughout the millennia, recognize how fortunate we are today to be able to live freely and practice our Jewish faith in many countries.