The First Rabbi In America
The first ordained rabbi to serve in an American congregation was Rabbi Abraham Joseph Rice (originally Reiss, 1802-1862). After studying in Germany, in Wurtzburg and then Fuerth, Rice…
Yom Kippur 5774-2013
“Cheshbon Hanefesh – Introspection” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The High Holy Days are meant to be a time of profound introspection. Every person is to review their actions in their…
Rebuilding A World
There are many dramatic stories of the great struggles involved in rebuilding the Jewish people after the Holocaust. Any collection of such stories would be remiss if it did not mention…
To The Talented
If you have an artistic talent, use it to enhance Jewish life.
The Bnei Menashe of India
It is the belief of the Bnei Menashe of Northeastern India that their legendary forefather Manmasi,* was actually Menashe the son of Joseph and that their communities are the remnants of…
I Am To My Beloved
The Torah verse that epitomizes the emotion of love is: “Anee l’dodi v’dodi lee” - I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me (Song of Songs 6:3). The ideal love relationship according…
Strong Encouragement
Take an active (rather than passive) interest in the Jewish life of those closest to you.
Josephus
Some historians are scholars, others are propagandists, and still others live the history that they go on to record. Yosef ben Matityahu, better known as Flavius Josephus (or just…
Mourning Jerusalem: A Brief History of the First Temple
On Tuesday, Jews all over the world will observe the fast of Tisha b’Av.It is on this day that the Jewish people mourn the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. The First…
Dear Yenta: The Matchmaker (Shadchan)
“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match...” (Fiddler on the Roof). With the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eharmony,…