Sephardic Torah from the Holy Land

The timing of this event was moving and surreal. A few weeks ago, I invited Rabbi Elhanan Danino, father of Ori z”l, to address my Young Professionals Beit Midrash at the Sephardic Educational Center in Jerusalem. We scheduled it for Monday evening, May 12. Little did we know that May 12 would be the day […]

Continue Reading

Tips For Speaking Out Loudly and Proudly

Surveys have shown that the number one fear for Americans is not flying, illness, drowning, or heights – it is public speaking. Death comes in fifth. As Jerry Seinfeld, among others, has observed, most people attending a funeral would rather be the deceased than the eulogist. But if there is a time when Jews in […]

Continue Reading

Ivy League Buyer’s Remorse

The following is a piece of creative writing, yet possibly being replicated by students across the country. May 11, 2025 Dear Western Valley Admissions Office, I trust all the Mighty Turtles are well. Surely better off than schools in the Ivy League that now find themselves inadvertently recruiting top students for you. I am sure […]

Continue Reading

“My Mind Went to Jan. 6”

Columbia University Jewish student Eden Yadegar told The Journal about her experience inside the main university library on May 7 when anti-Israel protesters occupied the building, saying that she was “stunned” and that “my mind went to Jan. 6” According to The Washington Free Beacon, 81 people arrested over the events of that day, 44 […]

Continue Reading

A Love Story Written with a Mop

Literary depictions of love and friendship usually omit the part about cleaning the floor. But one anecdote in the Talmud breaks the pattern: There was once an incident involving a student of Rabbi Akiva’s who fell ill. The Sages did not visit him; but Rabbi Akiva did. Because Rabbi Akiva swept and sprinkled water and […]

Continue Reading

The Joy of Dogs

I was nine years old when we got our first dog … and I have had dogs on and off since then. My first dog’s name was Sandy — a beautiful golden Cocker Spaniel. She was a sweet, kind dog who cared for nothing but to be at our side and have her belly rubbed […]

Continue Reading

Is It Time to Rejuvenate Jewish Education?

The two most popular words in the Jewish communal world must surely be “Jewish education.” Walk into any board meeting of any Jewish organization and if you want the room to kvell, just talk about “the importance of Jewish education.” With the high rate of assimilation and the growing irrelevancy of organized religion to the […]

Continue Reading