Israel’s Yom Ha’atzmaut — Independence Day — is particularly meaningful for my family. My uncle brought his family to the country from Poland in 1936, and he and my aunt fought on the streets of Tel Aviv in the War of Independence in 1948. My grandmother’s sister and her husband es…
When fighting broke out in Donetsk, Ukraine between the government and separatist forces last year, Raisa Libenson believed she and her family would be safe at home.
It wasn’t until a mortar shell tore through the walls and furniture of her apartment, leaving the 78-year-old temporarily d…
The future looked bright for Mira’s family. They were saving up and had even added a new room to their modest home. Then the twin earthquakes of 2015 destroyed all their progress. By helping her tap into her passion for sewing, Federation partner JDC helped Mira lift her family out of a te…
It is one of the most recognized tunes at the Passover seder. Dayenu — it would have been enough.
Every year, the lyrics take us through the Israelites’ escape from Egyptian slavery and their journey through the desert, as we sing about each gift — each miracle — that G-d bestowed a…
Gadol hama'aseh yoter min ha'oseh.
Rabbi Elazar taught us that one who causes others to do is greater than one who does. For it is said, the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness shall be calm and confidence forever (Bava Batra, 9a).
His idea is fairly straig…
