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The Microwave Fireplace

Have you heard of “The Microwave Fireplace”? Spend a relaxing evening in just 8 minutes!

It’s an old joke I read many years ago in “The Reader’s Digest” (is that still being published?) but also illustrative of an insight I … Read the rest

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The Kol Yisrael Mishna for Oct 7th Shloshim Memorial

As it dawned on us that a month was coming to pass since the horrific and brutal Hamas terror attacks that killed 1400 Israelis of all ages, we worked with UAlbany Hillel and the Judaic Studies Department at University at … Read the rest

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Rebbe Rashab and… Harry Potter!?

As 20th of Cheshvan is Rebbe Rashab’s birthday wanted to share this Harry Potter analogy and illustration that I shared with my middle school students earlier today.

Some may say it is sacrilegious to use fictional fanciful Harry Potter books … Read the rest

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TGI-Shabbat, Not Take For Granted!

 The flyer for Shabbat utilized the TGIF-theme, and we shared how grateful we are for Shabbat, not only as an observance but also as a tremendous opportunity for communal support and connection especially in times like these. This is … Read the rest

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The Shelter Dilemma – Know Your Ark and the way there!

Our daughter is studying in Israel this year. What a year! She had a dilemma this week.

She’s up in Israel’s north. Her seminary’s housing arrangement is apartments in a large housing project complex. So they live alongside regular families. … Read the rest

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A few days after Simchat Torah, October 2023

It’s a few days in now. It feels like weeks since we got word on the Simchas Torah holiday of the devastating Hamas attacks in Israel and learned more of its barbaric gruesomeness each day. In an earlier initial post Read the rest

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Simchat Torah 2023 News from Israel

Each year we always share the message that we in the diaspora have custom to dance Hakafot on Shemini-Atzeret night in solidarity with Israel, and they dance (Sheniyot) with us on our Simchas Torah (when their one-day holiday ends) – … Read the rest

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Esther Miriam’s “Bucket List” Project

by Esther Miriam (speech said at her Bas-Mitzvah celebration, Sukkot 5784/2023 explaining her Bas-Mitzvah “Bucket-List” project): 

Since I was young I had all these ideas of things I wanted to do. I like fun and adventure and trying new things. … Read the rest

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Keli Atah – and Esty (Rubin) Cohen

About the Alter Rebbe’s song “Keli Atah” & my sister Esty (Rubin) Cohen obm.

Tonight, after first two days of the Sukkot holiday, we hosted the annual communal Musical Night in the Sukkah in memory of my sister Esty (Rubin) … Read the rest

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