Home Blog Page 117

The Jews of Turkey

Zulfaris Synagogue/Jewish Museum of TurkeyThere are few places in the world like Turkey, where Jewish communities dating back to antiquity continue to thrive. Jewish history has been influenced greatly by Turkish diplomacy. To this day, Jews continue to live in peace, despite the constant turbulence in the Middle East.

Jewish settlement in the region is thought to pre-date the 4th century. Records of Jewish life and trade were discovered in the archeological excavations of the ancient cities of Ephesus, Sardis, Pergamon, and Smyrna (now Izmir). Greek depictions of Jewish settlements, synagogue ruins dating back to the 2nd century, and an inscription proclaiming the rights accorded to the Jews by Emperor Augustus all indicate that the existing Turkish Jewish community is the product of countless millennia of history.

AUGUST: This Month In Jewish History

In August 2003 the Temple Mount was reopenedAugust is a lovely month. There are many free and fun events happening in New York and New Jersey.

In Judaism, August is a somber month, due to Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning which commemorates the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, including the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Many other notable events happened to the Jewish people in August.

Stay Cool and Hydrated This Summer

Drink lots of water during hot weather  to avoid dehydrationIt’s summer, which means the temperature is on the rise, the beach is where everyone wants to be, and a cold glass of lemonade is exactly what the doctor ordered. However, there are a few risks that come with summer activities, most notably dehydration and heat stroke.

Buying a Barbecue Grill

Chicken and vegetables cooking on a gas grillYou’ve decided that it’s time to buy a new barbecue grill, so you head off to the local home improvement store and find yourself faced with a dizzying array of choices. How many BTUs do you need? What size grill is right for you? Do you want a charcoal grill or a gas grill? If you decided to go with gas, should you use propane or natural gas? Do you really need a built-in refrigerator? It can be overwhelming.

The Jews of Argentina

The Sephardic Temple in the Barracas district of Buenos AiresArgentina is the second largest nation in Latin America and boasts the largest Jewish community in the region. From an open door policy of immigration to the harboring of Nazi war criminals, Argentina’s Jews have faced periods of peaceful coexistence and periods of intense anti-Semitism.

Raise Your Good Cholesterol

Raising HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is recommended for protection against cardiovascular disease. HDL helps remove the cholesterol that clogs arteries by taking it to the liver for elimination. It appears that high levels of HDL cholesterol (more than 35 mg/dL) are protective even if your total cholesterol levels are high. In addition, having a low level of HDL is now considered an independent risk factor, meaning that if your total cholesterol is within limits but your HDL is too low, your risk of heart disease is still elevated.

Relationship Matters

When scientists study the universe, they agree that if one member of a constellation changes in any form, the result on the others may be profound. In the realm of human relationships, this is also true; namely, that couples, families, communities, etc. interact on a myriad of different levels, and a change in one member affects the entire unit.

How to Keep a First Date from Being the Last

Let’s face it, getting a first date is relatively easy. A guy spots you at a professional conference; he reads your profile on an online dating site; or a mutual friend sets you up on a blind date.

The trick is to get a second date. Here are some tips to help you keep that first date from being the last.

I Am A Good Parent

Have you ever wondered how you stack up as a parent? Are your skills up to par? Are you approaching discipline and daily decisions with the right focus?

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, even when it comes to raising children. Once you recognize the areas where you excel, and identify those where you need to make some changes, you can focus on learning new skills and creating a parenting plan of your own.

Holocaust Records Put Online

Papers and photographs documenting the lives of Holocaust victims and survivors—including notable names like Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel and former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin—are part of a collection being put online by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

Mother’s Day Life Lessons Learned

Being a mother is a full time job and no amount of words can paint a picture depicting what it entails. We can try to describe what our mother’s have taught us in one or two paragraphs, but of course they won’t fully portray all the hard work and many hours put into molding us into who we ultimately become. We salute all mothers, Happy Mother’s Day.

Lose Belly Fat

Make healthy choicesHaving a flat belly, or so-called “six-pack abs,” is a dream for many adults. If you’re middle-aged, have ever been pregnant, or sometimes indulge in too much food or one too many drinks, you probably have a spare tire you’d like to get rid of. So what’s the best strategy for banishing belly fat? Is it as simple as adding certain foods to your diet, or exercising?

Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

Many dentists receive phone calls from patients who complain of tooth or gum pain. This may seem all too common, but what if these patients also happen to be pregnant? Experiencing tooth and gum pain is a common dilemma for pregnant women—and there are many solutions that provide relief.

Sun: Friend or Foe?

Suntanned skin is really sun damaged skin cells. Skin color resulting from sun exposure actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer. Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes considered a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose the ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily, taking longer to heal. While sun damage to the skin may not be apparent at younger ages, it will definitely show later in life. Sun care and skin care products should help develop, protect and maintain healthy skin.