The situation of Jews in Ukraine, and in France; growing anti-Semitism in Europe; the boycott campaign against Israel; and the upcoming 20th anniversary of the AMIA center bombing in Argentina were among the topics discussed by the members of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Paris. The meeting was chaired by WJC President Ronald S. Lauder.
Shortly before Passover, 9th grade Boys Town Jerusalem students made their own novel attempt to observe the Biblical command, “In every generation, each person must regard himself as if he came out of Egypt.”
They did something that we, here in Brooklyn, don’t have the opportunity to do. The class traveled eastward from Jerusalem to the heart of the Judean Desert for a glimpse into the world of their forefathers.
Passover is approaching and our kids will be off from school for vacation. While it’s fun to play games with them to keep them happy and entertained, doing crafts with them is not only fun, but educational as well. Whether you would like to make decorative Afikomen covers for your Seder or a Seder plate your kids will be proud to have on the table, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few ideas for fun crafts projects that will keep your children happy and busy, while you spend quality time with them.
Pancreatic Cancer ResearchNew research, by investigators at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, is pointing towards development of new treatment for pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly and difficult cancers to manage successfully. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 45,220 new cases were diagnosed in the US in 2013 and about 38,460 people died from the disease.
SEAD Volunteers Prepared and Sold 2,300 Purim Packages In 2 Weeks. Being at the helm of SEAD for over 13 years now, I can tell you that it’s not always easy getting people involved. But, every now and then something amazing happens that reminds me how good people can be. It all started one night when Steve Shalom, who is now my partner in this wonderful institution, and Doris Dwek helped organize a meeting of community members in Deal interested in joining our mission. The meeting was a huge success and that night, many volunteers came forward.
In just a few weeks, I will reach a new milestone—1,000 dialysis treatments—that I have endured over the past six years. One thousand days taken away from me. At four hours per day, that’s 4,000 hours of being tethered to a machine that keeps me alive but also drains me and saps every morsel of energy from my body.
In 1914, the first chronicle of a bulimic woman, Ellen West, was published. Her poignant description of her bulimia rings true one century later: “My life is filled with dread,” she said. “Dread of eating, dread of hunger, dread of the dread.” Bulimia nervosa is both a biological and emotional illness. Some bulimics are fat and some are thin; some binge and purge; some starve along with bingeing and purging; others purge without bingeing. Some spit out the food before they swallow. Some swallow, bring up the food, and re-swallow repeatedly. Some use laxatives or diuretics. Some cut themselves. Some exercise compulsively and some take drugs or drink alcoholically.
For most of the 1,600 students in Magen David Yeshivah’s Elementary School (MDYES), one of the first greetings they receive each morning is a smiling and warm welcome from their new Principal, Rabbi Alan Berkowitz. And the comment that causes them to chuckle as they leave at the end of the day is his question, “Who’s coming back tomorrow?”
There is new awareness emerging in the Jewish community regarding food, especially amongst wise women. “Let’s be healthy, whilst we are strictly kosher,”—this is the guiding light of De La Rosa Real Foods, whose mission is to Put “Soul” Back Into Food.
Congregation Shaare Shalom recently held their Annual Purim Party in celebration of the joyous holiday. Members of the congregation, young and old, came to celebrate. The family atmosphere generated by the congregants and the hard work of the committee led to the success of the evening.
The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt and by following the rituals of Passover, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that our ancestors gained.
For me, Passover time is a gourmet adventure. It’s a time to get back to basics. Being a chef, I have learned how to make something from nothing and that is what I pass onto my students at the Jerusalem Culinary Institute.
I was raised in a home where terms like “Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Haredi, Secular, Zionist” or the like were not a part of our vocabulary. Jews were Jews. In our home, we observed and respected our traditions, including Shabbatot, holidays and synagogue life. Perhaps we were viewed as “not religious enough” by some in the community, but we were unapologetic about who we were. We did not see our Jewish practices as having to conform to somebody else’s opinion, nor did we change our way of life because a rabbi wrote an article deciding to impose new strictures on the community.
Are you looking for a great book to share with friends and family? Do you want a book to relax with? We hope the following compelling story lines will evoke interesting and thought provoking discussion. The books are geared for adults. Thank you for all of the suggestions I received.
