As we prepare to once again mourn the Churban and the unfathomable tzaros that klal yisroel has faced in galus – both previously and currently – I believe we have to take stock of what our connection to the Churban is, and what sort of mourning we actually observe on this saddest and most somber day of the year. Chazal say that Tisha B’Av should ideally be observed for two day, but instituting it as such would be a גזירה שאין רוב הציבור יכולים לעמוד בה. But I am wondering if this is truly something that still applies today. Today, Tisha B’Av for many people means watching specialized videos and programs created for this day. In fact, there are so many of them, nobody could possibly get through all of them in a single day. As such, maybe Tisha B’Av should be for two days?

Dear Parents of Children who lost out on a camp experience, This summer, while we mourn the recent tragedies in Eretz Yisrael, let’s not forget the displaced families facing an uncertain future. Many of our American children are likely experiencing disappointment due to cancelled plans. Here’s an opportunity to turn those feelings into something powerful: Tefillah. Tefilos of tinokos shel beis raban hold immense strength. Let’s empower our children to channel their emotions into heartfelt tefillos for those in Eretz Yisrael facing a similar summer – no camp, no familiar home. Instead of dwelling on frustration, let’s teach them to re-direct their feelings into empathy and connection to Hashem.

Dear Frum World, I am writing to you filled with the feelings of rejection and ostracization that only a survivor (of childhood abuse) trying to live in the frum community experiences. People tell me I cannot speak about my experiences because it’s “not tznius;” “people can’t handle it;” “it’s inappropriate;” “that doesn’t happen in our community;” “it’s a lie;” “it’s uncomfortable;” “everyone goes through struggles and pain- you don’t need to shout yours from the rooftops,” etc., etc.  Please. I get it. If you think it’s uncomfortable to hear it, imagine what it’s like to have to live it. But, if you can’t handle hearing about it, how can I be expected to handle living it?

It pains me to write this article but it’s probably more painful if I don’t. It pains me to write this article because of several reasons. One, I sell insurance and this public service announcement may appear self-serving. Secondly, I am the husband of a director of a large camp who pays a substantial amount of money in rent, insurance, and taxes, which again may appear self-serving. Let me be transparent and unequivocal: while I’d love for you to be a client of mine or a parent of my wife’s camp, I’d much prefer  your children to have a safe and FUN camp experience that’s covered by insurance should the need chas v’shalom arise.

I want to bring to your attention a valuable resource for those who believe their relatives held life insurance policies in Europe before the Holocaust. The New York State Department of Finance – Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO) is offering free assistance to help individuals claim unpaid policies, even if the original policy documents are no longer available. My own family’s experience is a testament to the importance of this service. My grandmother often spoke about her father’s life insurance policy with Generali, a prominent insurance company in Eastern Europe during that time.

Last night was another Adirei Hatorah event – a beautiful display of Kavod Hatorah and a way to express Klal Yisroel’s appreciation and acknowledgment of the yungerman’s integral role in our society. Special mention was also given to the nshei chayil who stand behind their husbands and sacrifice greatly to ensure his success in limmud Hatorah. Ashrecha! There are always letters written afterward by someone who says he’s just a common man but he feels that his role in society as an ehrliche yid is just as commendable but never acknowledged. This letter is not such a letter. This letter merely would like to mention another sect of society who sacrifice so deeply for Torah, even though sometimes they don’t get to reap the benefits of this dedication to Torah for many years.

Tonight, after many weeks of preparation and anticipation, thousands of our beautiful kollel yungerleit will gather as one. It is perhaps one of the most momentous events of the year as everyone stands together to applaud this very special group. Although I won’t be able to attend for personal reasons, I stand proud that we have this very special group amongst us all. At the same time, I’d like to ask you all a few questions. I’m asking with the utmost respect and I’m not coming from a place of envy, bitterness or any negative energy. Being a business owner for many years, I’ve come across the most angelic of heros I’ve ever met. Heros in the form of competitors, fellow vendors and many more. I’ve seen firsthand the absolute beauty of them practicing and living the Torah.

Your site takes great glee in assigning blame to President Joseph Biden for matters beyond his control, and actions which he did not cause – such as your site recently saying “Thanks, Biden!” when illegal immigrant Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, a 19-year-old from Venezuela, shot at two NYC police officers and they returned fire. Additionally, your editor delighted in pointing out and drawing attention to the immature behavior of the person deliberately placed behind Dr. Anthony Fauci at a Congressional hearing, but your alleged “journalism” omitted that the person making faces and pouting was convicted January 6 rioter Brandon Fellows was seated behind Fauci. Fellows made pouty faces when Fauci was describing the death threats he, his wife, and his daughters have endured. Dr.

Growing up as a child, the thrill and ambiance of Yom Tov was beyond words. But as you grow up and get older, and the exuberance of a Yom Tov unfortunately falls away, that earlier thrill must be transformed into reverence for it. Unfortunately, it is obvious that many people are stuck in a stage […]

In the past number of years, frum communities in the United States appear, at least to me, to have taken a decided shift in favor of certain practices that were not common just a few years back. For instance, meditation classes are not hard to find. The problem is that this trend has, in some cases, gone […]