by Rabbi Elie Mischel | f 24, 2023 | Happiness and Joy, Re’eih
In her 2002 book, “Riding the Bus with my Sister,” Rachel Simon, a very successful but unhappy professor, tells the story of her sister Beth, a woman with special needs who spent her days riding public buses and talking to the bus drivers. In an effort to better...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2023 | Happiness and Joy, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Purity, Vayeira
The Torah portion of Vayeira continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors as he recuperates. They bring him news. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 19, 2023 | Community, Freedom, God, Happiness and Joy, Holiness, Psalms, Responsibility, Tests and Trials
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz A long time ago, I worked as a cook in exclusive restaurants in Manhattan. I once got a special order for a lunch party of ten young businessmen celebrating their success. They were all under thirty years old and they had each achieved a...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2023 | God, Happiness and Joy, Hebrew Language, Psalms, Repentance, Temple
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz I often write about my personal experiences as a father. But I try to learn from everyone and remember the good lessons I learn from others. One such lesson I learned from a friend of mine who lives in Tel Aviv. From a very young age, her...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | Community, Education, Happiness and Joy, Kindness and Compassion, Leadership, Responsibility, Vayeitzei
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz Israel just held its fifth election in three years. For a while now, Israel has been struggling to find a leader who can form and maintain a coalition made up of different parties, each with their own interests and priorities. These parties...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 31, 2022 | God, Happiness and Joy, Israel, Psalms
By Rabbi Avi Baumol Despite all the dangerous threats surrounding the modern Jewish State, Israeli citizens consistently rate extremely high in global surveys measuring quality of life and happiness. This year, Israel ranked ninth in the 10th annual World Happiness...