(JTA) — Like so many other American Jews from the New York area, I have been eagerly awaiting “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” the new exhibit on the American Jewish deli now on view at the New-York Historical Society. After all, the deli was...

(JTA) — Max Glass, a recent immigrant from Hungary, had an unhappy Civil War.  Tricked out of his enlistment bonus when he joined the Eighth Connecticut Infantry — recent arrivals were soft touches for scam artists — Glass was then “abused...

I offer a teaching by Rabbi and scholar Arthur Green about the Jewish artistry for words in his introduction to the Zohar. Based on an understanding of the Second Commandment (no graven images), Jewish creativity was channeled into words.  While others...

(JNS) If Americans thought that the midterm elections would provide a clear picture of their country’s future political direction, they woke up the next morning as confused as ever. The Democrats may have won the expectations game as the “red wave”...

A sports season just ended for one of my kids. This time it was high school soccer.  With several seniors on the team, there’s the sad realization that the roster will be different next fall. That’s the thing with kids growing up -- they’ll...

This week marks the 30th anniversary of my becoming a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that my memories of the event are rather cloudy.  I remember my Laura Ashley dress with the row of pink bows at the waist, I remember...

Warm, welcoming experience at St. Louis synagogues I have read with much interest the recent contributions that have called out synagogues for their unwelcoming environment. As someone who migrated to St. Louis just 34 years ago, I am unable to rely...

(JTA) — When I read the news about Kanye West, I didn’t know whether to turn off my phone, or throw it. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the emails and texts began rolling in: What do you think about Kanye? What’s to be done about...

Dear Reader, I'm a true sucker for a great love story and I'm a firm believer in the concept of beshert, the Yiddish word that means “destined” or “fated.” It can be used to describe all kinds of lucky or fortuitous situations, not just romantic...