Op-Ed: Our Growing Insanity

There is a growing tendency among the Torah world to reject technology and innovation. The rejection has reached an extremeness bordering on a Talibanesque fundamentalism, unseen throughout our history. A good case can be made that this rejection runs counter to true Torah Judaism, and should not be subsumed under the rubric of Ailu veAilu divrei Elokim Chaim.

Op-Ed: A Parent’s Plea, Part II

While the tears have still not ceased to run down my face following today’s tragic death of Amrom Altman, the four-year-old child who died after being struck by a school bus, I cannot help but reflect once again on the fact that I, too, send my children to school by bus each day. Based on the available information, what happened today was not a freak accident. The child was not mountain climbing or water skiing where risk is understood and accepted. He was going to school – the very same thing each one of our children does almost every day of the year.

Op-Ed: The Day I Watched a Man Die

Op-Ed: Lessons I Uncovered Beneath the Haitian Rubble

Like millions of people around the world, I have been following the tragedy in Haiti since the earthquake jolted the country just over a month ago. Although the media portrays a great deal of the devastation that has been visited on this poorest of Western nations, it wasn’t until I traveled to Haiti on a humanitarian relief mission that I truly understood just how severe the crisis really was.

Algemeiner Op-Ed: Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

They say that when a politician says “Yes” they mean maybe, when they say “Maybe” they mean no, and if they say no, then they aren’t a politician.

Walking this narrow line is sometimes a necessity for a politician trying to appeal to as broad an audience as possible, but from the viewpoint of the electorate, it is of utmost importance to cut away the political facade and make estimated calculations on where exactly they stand.

Op-Ed: Parent Recall

After reading many articles regarding product recalls, it made me wonder if only an object can fail to accomplish its goal or if “recalls” can pertain to people as well.

“A recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity.” (Wikipedia)

As we grow, we are constantly looking for ways to improve ourselves and as we face different challenges, we hopefully become smarter and stronger.

No Holds Barred: The future of Chabad

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the ascension of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, to the global leadership of Chabad. In that time, the organization has grown from a small hassidic group into a global powerhouse of Jewish outreach. But 15 years after our great rebbe’s passing, and with Chabad firing on all cylinders, it faces a major decision as to its future. It will either continue to focus on horizontal expansion – opening more Chabad Houses and sending out more rabbi-emissaries – or it will begin focusing on vertical expansion.

Dying to Help – A Human Response to the Haitian Earthquake

Two headlines this week interested me in that I have been following their development since their posting. The first intrigues me in terms of history, the second triggers my sense of humanity. One sheds light onto the other which is shrouded in disaster and darkness.

The number of fatalities in Haiti’s throttling earthquake is still unclear, but as it is expected to exceed one hundred thousand, already the figure confounds the comprehension of man.

A Letter to Pesha Leah

Tell me, did it hurt? Was it painful? Was there really a bright light at the end of the tunnel, like they describe in the books? Was your relatives who have passed away waiting for you? What was it like?

Were you afraid? Or scared, or even sad? Did you regret not getting the chance to say goodbye? Do you even now long to be back here?

YNS Student Thanks “Rabbi O” in Letter

A letter sent by Shlomo L., a former student of Yeshivas Nishmas Shlomo, a Yesivah in Tzfas, Israel, known as YNS, thanking “Rabbi O”. Affectionately known by his students as “Rabbi O,” Rabbi Yaacov Orimland established the Yeshivah and is now its Rosh Yeshivah. In the letter the student writes, “When I first arrived to YNS I was confused and lost in direction.” He goes on to say, “I want to thank you for spending those countless hours with me in your office instilling in me the right way and valuable lessons for lifetime.” Rabbi Orimland is known for taking extra care, helping each student on their level.

Letter: The Lesson I Learned from my Younger Brother

Family, what does it mean when we say this word? Is it just a name for people who happen to be our parents or siblings? Is it a way to refer to those who share our blood with whom we speak to on occasion? Or is family a network we need to lean on in times of crisis or tragedy?

Op-Ed: A Parent’s Plea

It is sad and unfortunate that it took the tragic death of a young girl to realize the value and importance of my children’s school bus drivers. Each morning, as a matter of routine, I would wait with my children for their school bus to arrive, help them onto the bus, tell them I love them, say goodbye, and watch as the doors close and the bus drives away. A few hours later, I would wait for the school buses to bring them home, help them off the bus and listen (and listen and listen) to how their day at school went.

Op-Ed: The Tiger Woods Saga… And Its Jewish Lesson

The Rapid Fall From Grace

His tragic saga was all too familiar; His mesmerizing talent rapidly captured the world’s attention. His impeccable image of integrity gained him the respect and affection of multitudes. His solid control of the media and other intruding forces was deeply remarkable. His balanced composure along with his unequivocal success became the silent envy of his countless admirers.

Op-Ed: Jewish Dancing

I was recently at a cousin’s wedding in Crown Heights and absolutely enjoyed every moment. My cousin married a fine, frumeh Mentch – AKA chasidishe Bochur, I was with family, the music was Jewish and the dancing was energetic. The joy was authentic and palpable.

So? Big deal! What’s there to write about?

Op-Ed: An American Chanukah

On a frosty December evening a few years ago, I stood on Pennsylvania Avenue gazing for my first time at the seat of the American Presidency. It was Chanukah, and my friend Shmuley and I were in Washington, interning at American Friends of Lubavitch, sponsors of the monumental National Menorah on the Ellipse.

Op-Ed: From One Shomrim Volunteer to Another

It was with mixed emotions that I heard the news. Five of my fellow Shomrim members had been officially cleared as NOT guilty, while you were cleared of all 16 charges, except one charge of third-degree assault.

I wasn’t the only one who was shocked. All who were present in the courtroom were, as well. The judge literally jumped out of his seat when he learned that even with all of the lies and conspiring theories, they had found one proof of assault beyond a reasonable doubt.

I would think that after weeks of trial, of not being able to tend to your family and not being able to work, you would go take the night off. But you didn’t. Mere hours after the verdict I heard you on the Shomrim radio, as if nothing had happened, dispatching a call for Shomrim assistance. Hearing your warm voice, so full of love and dedication to what you are best known for, was truly uplifting.