An overcast sky did not stop the 50 young teens that attended the BBYO Intake Luau Pool Party at the Jewish Community Center June 8. Groups of incoming ninth-graders socialized while laughing, eating, swimming and bonding with other potential chapter brothers and sisters. “It’s great meeting all these new people,” said Ben Packer, a freshman. Friend Molly Pluss added, “This event makes me want to join BBYO because it’s fun to converse with Jews and hear their stories.”
Mazel tov, Aarona!
Aarona Cohen Berger, surrounded by her family and close friends, celebrated her 104th birthday on Wednesday, June 17! Everyone enjoyed the festivities, highlighted by bingo games expertly called out by Sam Mandelbaum. Aarona had a smile on her face from beginning to end as she clapped along with Eli Davidsohn, who performed an [...]
Corrine Jacobson has visitors
While Corrine Jacobson was recovering from surgery, she was so lucky to enjoy a family visit. Cindy Bond, her daughter-in-law and grandson, Barry Bond of Atlanta were first, then her niece, Marlene Price from Williston, Vt. enjoyed the “Cowboy-Culture” activities of our city. Recently, her cousin and husband, Gene and Gretel Holit [...]
Analytic philosophies are fascinating, the people who originate them even more so. What led Victor Frankl to focus on “meaning”?
Batya Yaniger, Israeli psychologist and social worker, was here recently for a conference on Logotherapy — the belief system of Frankl, the Viennese doctor who lived through the Holocaust with meaning always on his mind.
“Logos” is [...]
Dear Rabbi Fried,
In your columns, you often take a very, pardon my expression, uncompromising view on life questions based upon the Torah, often quoting the Talmud. I recently heard from my rabbi a contrary view based upon the Talmud. In the story of whether or not a certain oven was ritually pure, there was an [...]
Dear Families,
Each summer we focus on values that we can DO! At the J camps, all the children and the families get involved. There is a little learning, a little thinking and then a lot of doing! Get involved with us this summer. The value for this week is: bal tashchit, do not destroy.
Learning
The rabbis [...]
By Ron Kampeas
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Does the mini-war under way between Israel and Hamas in and around the Gaza Strip present President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming administration with a crisis or an opportunity?
Israel’s aerial bombardment, the most intensive in the Gaza Strip in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has killed at least 320 people, most [...]
By Leslie Susser
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s retaliation against persistent Hamas mortar and rocket attacks on civilians in southern Israel was far more ferocious than anyone, including Hamas, expected.
The first three days of intensive Israel Air Force bombing in Gaza reduced hundreds of Hamas government buildings, military compounds, laboratories, metal workshops and supply tunnels to rubble [...]
By Sharon Wisch-Ray
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (JFGD) and the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (DJCF) have no investments with any Madoff companies. The Dallas Jewish community’s central institutions were unaffected by the scandal because “the Foundation does not invest in hedge funds,” emphasized David Agronin, DJCF executive director and chief executive officer.
Federation CEO and [...]
By Melody Amsel-Arieli
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, falls during the darkest time of the year. But in homes where each family member lights his or her own menorah, Chanukah burns extra bright.
The simplest, most ancient menorah of all, rows of glasses containing wicks filled with olive oil, celebrates the Chanukah miracle itself. Even today, many [...]
LOS ANGELES (JTA) — This Chanukah, the miracle may need to come from your wallet. What with eight nights of family gift giving, many recession-year budgets might have only enough cash for five or six.
The miracle can still happen. Jewish thrift shopping can light your way.
For eight days we are required to demonstrate the nes, the miracle, in our windows. This year, beginning Dec. 21, the year’s longest night, you can show the candles’ flames anew with old menorahs purchased for students, family and friends at thrift shops.
ATLANTA (JTA) — Notice anything unsettling about your kids’ Chanukah wish lists this year? A Maccabean je ne sais quoi that transcends the standard sticker shock?
Might it be that the latest lot of hot holiday “toys” are not actually toys at all?
You have the Disney Flix Video Camcorder ($79.99, Disney); the Barbie Digital Picture Frame with Remote Control ($99.99, Emerson Radio Corp.); and the Kid-Tough Portable DVD Player ($149.99, Fisher-Price). And, of course, some toys don’t even pretend to be toys, the crown jewels of high-tech Chanukah hauls: cell phones, iPods and laptop computers.
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