In the time of King Antiochus, the fate of the Jewish people seemed grim. The vastly outnumbered Maccabees were up against the world’s most sophisticated military machine. They faced opposition from within, as well. Many of their brethren were weak, complacent, and all too willing to forsake their heritage and assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. It was the proverbial “darkest hour before the dawn.” Yet, sure enough, with the dawn, came the miraculous, unprecedented victory. With G-d’s help and against all odds, The Maccabees were able to reclaim the Holy Land and rededicate the Holy Temple.

“There are four types of temperaments. One who is quick to become angry and quick to calm down—his gain is outweighed by his loss. One who is slow to become angry and slow to calm—his loss is outweighed by his gain. One who is slow to become angry and quick to calm down is pious. One who is quick to become angry and slow to calm down is wicked.”
(Chapter 5, Mishna 14)

Did your high school aged child have an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in elementary school? Odds are that he or she stopped receiving services from the New York City Department of Education (NYC-DOE) close to the time that high school began. The High School Academic Resource Center (HSARC), a project of Teach NYS, Orthodox Union and the Sephardic Community Federation, is here to guide you in reactivating your teenager’s file so that support will be available during these demanding high school years.

Parashat Noah

The deluge that destroyed the world in the time of Noah caused a major upheaval in the physical makeup of the world. The geological and archeological evidence of this change has baffled many a scientist—so much so that even skeptical scientists argue that some fossilized discoveries may be attributed to the flood.

I spent the year after high school in Jerusalem, attending Michlalah Jerusalem College. There we were told to do weekly hesed. My first choice was to volunteer at the Sanhedria Children’s Home and I was thrilled when I was accepted. When I walked into the building, I was beyond excited, but as I opened the door to the room I was going to work in every Tuesday, my stomach dropped. There were only boys and they only spoke Hebrew.

College students who choose to study abroad for a few weeks, months, or a semester or two will reap the benefits for years to come. Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally while going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.