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A Rabbi at the White House

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A Rabbi at the White House

By Warren Boroson December 29, 2014, 1:30 pm Edit

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June 10, 2023

Right Now

Students from the Yavneh Academy in Paramus have fun as they walk in the Celebrate Israel parade last Sunday. (Yavneh Academy)

Celebrating Israel!

Students from local schools march up Fifth Avenue

Protesters start to gather across the street from Congregation Bnai Yeshurun; they’re objecting to MK Simcha Rothman’s talk at the shul.

Taking it to the streets of Teaneck

By Larry Yudelson

Protesters oppose synagogue speech by Knesset member trying to limit judiciary

Merrill Silver cuts the cake at her backyard barbecue for some of her most recent students.

Welcome to my backyard

By Merrill Silver

Leslie Adler & Alexandra Schoenberg’s Ascento, made of wood, linen, yarn, cork, and paint, provides a personal sanctuary.

‘Build me a sanctuary’

By Joanne Palmer

Local artists draw on Torah for a mishkan blueprint and an exhibit inspiration

Liz Glazer holds her new baby, Eloise Frances Glazer.

How a lawyer became a stand-up comedian

By Curt Schleier

Liz Glazer talks about her unlikely but logical path as she releases a new album

Socalled (Josh Dolgin)

Folksbiene and SummerStage

By Joanne Palmer

Central Park will come alive with the sounds of Yiddish song

Katie Katz (TeachNJ)

Investing in the safety of N.J. students and teachers

Governor Murphy allocates additional $5.97 million for statewide school security initiative

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the U.K. House of Commons from Kyiv on March 8, 2022. (Office of the President of Ukraine/ UKRINFORM/
Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Back to the future

By Joanne Palmer

Next stop USSR or North Korea?

Shabbat Beha’alotcha — our words matter

By Rabbi Neal I. Borovitz

Editorial

Thoughts on the parade

Column

Shammai Engelmayer

From a paradox, an Rx for our world

Opinion

How concerned should we be about Elon Musk?

Opinion

Max L. Kleinman

Publicly funded law school in the most Jewish city so hostile to Jewish students?

Opinion

Alan Silverstein

The Israeli conflict over ‘Who is a Jew?’ is resurfacing in 2023

Opinion

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker

Why shuckling is good for you

Happy birthday, Strudel!

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Ellin Cooper

Investigating the divide

Saturday, June 10, 6:50 p.m.

Charity bike ride/hike

Sunday, June 11

Yiddish music in Manhattan

Block party in Teaneck

Eli Lebowicz

Comedy in Englewood

Thursday, June 15, 6:30- 9:30 p.m.

Rabbi Chanan Atlas

Scholar-in-residence in Teaneck

Saturday, June 17

Blood drive in Teaneck

Community, collaboration, and art

By Joanne Palmer

NJPAC head John Schreiber talks about his life and the institution he loves

Stand-up comedian Eli Lebowicz has a very Jewish show.

How to become a Jewish comedian

By Joanne Palmer

Eli Lebowicz riffs about going from Chicago to Israel to YU to full-time stand-up

Community members walk the rescued Torah, under a chuppah, to its home at Ramapo College.

Commemorating the past and writing the next chapter

Gross Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies welcomes Czech Torah scroll

On erev Pesach, just before the sun set over Israel, Tzivia Bieler stands with three of her granddaughters, Tselya, Estair, and Hadar Kwalbrun.

Welcoming the unpredictable

By Tzivia Bieler

Staying playful, even after you can keep your shoes on

Zachary Piser, center, starred in “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway in 2022.

Is he Hapa or is he Jasian?

By Curt Schleier

Jewish-Chinese actor describes his fast track to ‘Rent’

Josh Young plays Shlomo Carlebach in the rarely seen movie about his working relationship with Nina Simone.

‘Soul Doctor’

By Curt Schleier

Unreleased film about Shlomo Carlebach will screen locally for a day

Linda Coppleson holds a sefer Torah she wrote; she’s at a siyyum to celebrate it at Temple Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL.

Black fire on white fire

By Joanne Palmer

West Orange soferet’s grandson will become bar mitzvah reading from his grandmother’s Torah

Deb Breslow hugs her parents, David and Florence Miller.

How to be a healthcare advocate

Our correspondent recounts her intense introduction to the role

Editorial

Opinion

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Noam Chomsky and Yale’s ‘Jewish Lives Book Series’ reek of Jeffrey Epstein

Opinion

Dr. Mark Gold and Hiam Simon

Who is George Soros, and why has he been called a comic-book super-villain?

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Two young women hold flags next to the podium as the Jewish-Palestine Pavilion opened, 84 years ago this month. Maurice Ascalon’s copper sculpture stands above them; a sculpture of Theodor Herzl is between them.

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By Joanne Palmer

Maurice Ascalon’s 1939 World’s Fair sculpture was just the start of an unlikely career

Rep. Donald Payne Jr (D-N.J. Dist. 10), center, in striped suit, meets with Essex County Norpac members; from left, in the front row: Marina Kirshenbaum and Ann Hirsch, both of West Orange; Phil and Hannah Kirshenbaum of Short Hills; Barbara Israel Bortniker and David Bortniker of West Orange; Susan Gurtman of North Caldwell; and Avi and Ethan Kampel of West Orange. Rep. Payne’s legislative aide, Ruben Goddard, and chief of staff LaVerne Alexander stand at the back.

‘It’s so important just to show up’

By Joanne Palmer

Norpac resumes in-person advocacy mission to Washington

Oded Grinstein holds his baby, who then had a rare cancer, more than a decade ago. She’s cured now, and he works to help other children find the treatments they need.

Children with cancer, adults with compassion

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Fair Lawn couple develops global network of expertise and caring

Ina Miller-Silverstein, right, advocates for reproductive rights with the National Council of Jewish Women.

Meet one of NCJW’s Women of the Century

By Ellen Braunstein

Local section honors Ina Miller-Silverstein for her decades of work

Saul Zaks’ immediate family; Saul and his brother Shaya survived; the others were murdered in Auschwitz.

Tracing his parents’ lives as survivors

A son finally pieces together their story of resilience

A recent production of “Right to be Forgotten” at Chicago’s Raven Theater features Kelsey Elyse Rodriguez and Adam Shalzi. (Michael Brosilow)

‘Right to be Forgotten’

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Playwright remembers her Jewish values when selecting subjects

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Shammai Engelmayer

The extra day that need not be

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Rabbi Alan Silverstein

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Music is breath, song is life

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Joey Weisenberg talks before his visit to Teaneck

David Braun is YIVO’s new academic adviser.

Not a native speaker — but naturalized

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Yiddishist David Braun of Leonia takes new position at YIVO

The love affair between Jews and books

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Temple Emanuel of North Jersey offers a tikkun layl Shavuot focusing on that age-old romance

Cantor Maria Dubinsky, left, and Alesia Kizil

Paying it forward

Local Russian-born cantor, Ukrainian musician perform together on erev Shavuot

Shira and Elliot Teichman and their family live in Fair Lawn.

Creating a joyful and welcoming space

Renovated Fair Lawn mikvah will celebrate its reopening

Rob Kaminsky played for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. (Photos courtesy WBC Team Israel)

Making a new pitch for the majors

By Dave Lieberfarb

Local baseball phenom Rob Kaminsky sets his sights on Seattle

Rabbi Abraham Cooper

‘We do have to come together to defend each other’

By Ellen Braunstein

Wiesenthal Center’s Rabbi Abraham Cooper to address New Jersey Jewish Business Alliance

Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi speaks at the Conference on Belonging for the Buffalo Jewish Federations in April 2022. (CCAR)

Advocating for transgender kids

By Joanne Palmer

Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi of Montclair tells how the Reform movement cares for her community

Event sponsors Joseph Sprung and Diane Lempert (the chairman/founder and executive director of Bear Givers) are flanked, from left, by Sinai’s president, Avi Vogel; Leo Brandstatter z”l Dean Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Rothwachs, Sinai’s communications director, Abigail Hepner Gross; its development director, Pam Ennis; and its associate managing director, Arielle Greenbaum Saposh.

Sinai Schools’ art show celebrates students’ artistic creations

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Summer is coming

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Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

The American lunatic asylum needs a new political party

Opinion

Rabbanit Jennifer Geretz

Thinking about liminal space and Shavuot

Opinion

Max L. Kleinman

Nakba Day symbolizes the failure of Palestinian leadership

Opinion

Rabbi Alan Silverstein

Do not alter Israel’s Law of Return

Magda Teter teaches at Fordham; her new book explores how “white European Christians branded both Jews and people of color with ‘badges of servitude’ and inferiority.” (Chuck Fishman)

Opinion

Andrew Silow-Carroll

A scholar sees a common root for antisemitism and racism: ‘Christian supremacy’

The perfect ending

I have learned that you are not allowed to say bad things publicly about Jewish-owned establishments. Yes, I know this sounds bad. Why is it okay to say something bad about an establishment owned by a non-Jew? I am not here to debate that. If I... Continue Reading

News of the crash made its way over the Hudson; the tabloid New York Daily News covered the story.

When planes collided over Teaneck

By Joanne Palmer

Walking tour will highlight town’s almost-forgotten World War II story

From left, Kayla Schechter of Boston, Tamar Dahan of Maryland, Jack Friedman of the Ramaz Upper School in Manhattan, and Maya Tratt of the Frisch School in Paramus represent the United States in the International Chidon HaTanach. (The Jewish Agency for Israel)

Mastering Tanach

By Abigail Klein Leichman

Local students take home prizes for their comprehensive knowledge of the Bible

Looking back at growing up

By Jonathan E. Lazarus

Clear-eyed journalist describes a long career — and a good life

Jessica Hecht, sitting, and Laura Linney star in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s two-person play “Summer, 1976.”(© Jeremy Daniel 2023)

‘Every once in a while you run into a Jessica Hecht’

By Curt Schleier

The actress talks about art, life, friendship, and Tony nominations

Lori Fein, center, and her husband, Marty Ramirez, sit with their daughters; from left, they’re Israela (Izzi), 13; Dahlia, 19; Margalit, 20; Aviva, 23; and Adiel, 16. (David Zimand)

The Oy & Joy of Family

New podcast celebrates life with lots of kids

Avi Melamed

Inside the Middle East with an expert

By Abigail Klein Leichman

Counterterrorism guru Avi Melamed to preview docuseries in Tenafly

Evan Gershkovich (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images) left, Evgenia Berkovich (Wikipedia), and Nina Katerly (Wikidata)

More Jews are arrested in Russia

By Joanne Palmer

Alexander Smukler of Montclair tells the story of Zhenya Berkovich and a prediction about Evan Gershkovich; says we must remember them

Editorial

History and the Jewish Standard

Column

Shammai Engelmayer

The death rate that mars Mother’s Day

Opinion

Rabbi Hannah Orden

Manna, hunger, and counting the omer

Jeff Sharlet’s “The Undertow” explores the religious landscape of the far right. (Jeff Goodwin)

Opinion

Andrew Silow-Carroll

A Jewish journalist takes sides in America’s ‘slow civil war’

Opinion

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker

The mitzvah not to eat free lunch

Refreshing Wines for Shavuos

By Gabriel Geller

Well moms, it’s our time of year once again. When our families flock to us and bestow gifts and cards and flowers and chocolates upon us. When diamond tiaras are placed upon our heads in order to reinforce our queenly status, and we are... Continue Reading

Mandy Patinkin

‘Being Alive’

By Curt Schleier

Mandy Patinkin talks about life; soon he’ll sing in Englewood

Dr. Yitz Landes, standing, lectures to students in the rare book room at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Books, history, and magic

By Joanne Palmer

Yitz Landes becomes an assistant professor of Talmud and rabbinics at JTS

Rebecca Eliason, left, Michelle Goodman, and Shulamit Roth

Recognizing strengths and embracing differences

Fair Lawn’s Shomrei Torah will host panel on parenting the ‘out-of-the-box’ child

Before Shabbat started, the community gathered for a group photo at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston.

Building community through an academy

By Joanne Palmer

Local Russian Jews offer classes to fill in the cultural gaps left behind

Clockwise from top left, China’s President Xi Jinping (Huang Jingwen/Xinhua via Getty Images), Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (Russian Presidential Press and Information Office), Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov (Wikimedia Commons) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Building dragon’s teeth — the action has begun

By Joanne Palmer

Alexander Smukler looks at China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Evan Gershkovich

Editorial

The founders and living memory

Column

A blast in Israel on its 75th birthday

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Opinion

Let’s put the ‘Judah’ back in Judaism

By Banji Ganchrow

Meet real people making a real difference at the Great Israeli Real Estate event

‘Signed, sealed, delivered?’

By Joanne Palmer

Israel Story looks at the country’s founding document in Teaneck program

Mark Braff shows his new book to his father, Milton, who played catch with him on their Fair Lawn block. (Courtesy Mark Braff)

What’s it like being the son of a major league baseball player?

By Joanne Palmer

Local author finds out; along the way he learns how to network, write, and publish a book

Barnert Temple members gather before the cleanup starts. (All photos courtesy Barnert Temple

Barnert Temple rededicates Centerville Cemetery

By Abigail Klein Leichman

Synagogue in Franklin Lakes restores its old burial ground in Clifton

Adrienne Haan will perform in “Tehorah” at Carnegie Hall.

‘Tehorah’ at Carnegie Hall

By Curt Schleier

Real estate magnate Joseph Barry sponsors concert celebrating Israel at 75

The members of Congress on the trip include, second from left, Joe Neguse, Josh Gottheimer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Yvette Clarke. (All photos courtesy Josh Gottheimer)

‘It’s a vital relationship’

By Joanne Palmer

Josh Gottheimer talks about his trip to Israel with Hakeem Jeffries

Parashat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim

By Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg

Editorial

The Jersey City marathon

Column

Shammai Engelmayer

Journalism: A sacred obligation

Opinion

Rabbi Mendy Kaminker

One good word at a time

Opinion

Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick

Neither religious nor Zionist

Happy birthday, house!

How is it possible that I forgot to wish my house a happy birthday? Well, it’s the anniversary of when I moved into my house (along with Husband #1 and Sons #1 and 2) and it became our home. Twenty-five years. I have been living... Continue Reading

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