Op-Ed: Degeneration of Society Due to Lack of Tznius

I was watching online the dedication of the new Chabad center in Kiryat Arbah named for the daughter of the shluchim there, Chaya Mushka Attiah, a”h. Besides shedding quite a few tears as I watched Chaya Mushka’s father dance with the sefer Torah and as I heard his voice break as he spoke a few words, suddenly a thought came to my mind: If a little girl could give up her life for the inyan of tznius, how much more so must we all make a huge effort to increase in tznius within ourselves, our children, our communities.

Op-Ed: Taking Stock of Where We Stand

There is a tendency within Chabad to be quick to call out and put down another sector of the orthodox community when something is being done within Chabad that one may not approve of. For example, a report on someone taking a hard stance on Tznius usually results in comments such as “who do you think we are, Satmar?”

Jews in Sports: Modern-Day Moses

Through the glorious grandeur that is the Modern Day Olympiad, and, more specifically so, its Opening Ceremony, the world as a whole recently embarked on what is sure to be a fun-filled and exciting next couple of athletics-viewing weeks.

Op-Ed: Chabad Spring

Is the Chabad lifestyle sustainable? I believe it is not; here is why.

Op-Ed: Crown Heights Needs an Old-Age Home

The Crown Heights Community can be justifiably proud in the wonderful work of Hafatzus Hamayinus that they do worldwide. A prime example is your recent article of photographer Meir Alfasi, who traveled to the mountains of Bolivia, where he brought Judaism to fellow Yidden some of the most remote places on earth. However, with the many elderly and vulnerable residents that we now have in Crown Heights, one does not have to go to the remotest places on earth to help another Jew.

Op-Ed: Our Schools Must Teach Derech Eretz

Recently I took a trip with my nieces and nephews to visit my parents, their grandparents. The kids are two, four, and six years old, which means their enrollment in the Crown Heights school systems has varied from one year to three years, to none. They are sweet children, reminding me of all that is pure and good, and of complete naivety. On this trip, they also reminded me of something else.

Letter: A Boy in Need

We received this open letter from Devorah Leah Leopold in which she describes her inspiration to say tehilim for a critically ill teenage boy, Alexander Hecht.

Op-Ed: What’s Wrong with a Non-Jewish Nanny?

After reviewing and pondering some of the recent articles and associated comments on this website, I felt that there is a significant problem in the Lubavitch community that must be addressed. The problem is the prevalent practice of Lubavitch families employing non-Jewish (predominantly Hispanic) women to work in their homes assisting with housework and/or child care.

Op-Ed Follow Up: Miracle of the Higgs Boson

As a follow-up to my (controversial?) op-ed last week, and my comment there (#15), a truly amazing thing happened to me this past Shabbos that sent shivers through me. (It must be that either I am very far from Kedusha and Hashem wants me back, and/or readers of this article will have hischazkus from this.)

Op-Ed: Smoking Should Be Banned in Front of 770

There is something that bothers me about going in and out of 770. Namely, when you go up or down the steps to the main doors of 770, many a time you are entering an area with heavy second-hand smoke going straight into your face.

Op-Ed: Scientific Discovery Affirms Alter Rebbe’s Word

Yesterday, 14 Tamuz (July 4, 2012), the science world went crazy over the [possible] discovery of the Higg’s Boson, also called “the God particle,” which confirms the existence of ‘dark energy.’

Jews in Sports: Rum Diary

The summer season is here in full force. Sunshine, heat, humidity, and power outages don’t always make for an ideal blend. This is the time when tempers flare, and actions boil over towards regrettable.

Letter: To the Woman Who Dented My New Minivan

Dear Jewish woman who dented the side of my brand new minivan,

My non-Jewish neighbors tell me that they urged you to leave a note with your number on it, but when I found it on my windshield it was just a bunch of illegible scribbles.