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The Etrog Tea Set

by Rabbi Shlomo Galperin

Getting an Etrog was a big deal in the Russian Jewish underground. The search started in the summertime. Often there were “tourists” from the West visiting various cities in the Soviet Union. As part of their … Read the rest

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Spice Night in the Sukkah 2018

The first night in the Sukkah this 2018 (5779) was called “Spice Night” with Challah that have Everything Spice on it, there were spicy roasted chickpeas, Chili-Eggplant, a Garlic-Crouton Caesar Salad, we had hot Curry-Butternut Squash soup, etc etc..

Aside … Read the rest

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Look Up to Look Forward

On the Shabbat before Sukkot we shared some perspective learned from UAlbany Mascot Lil ‘D a few years ago.

Here’s the link to the time when Mendel put on Lil ‘D’s head and learned that you see through it’s mouth Read the rest

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A Yom Kippur Message from a Public Library

The Upper Hudson Library System (comprised of 36 Libraries in Albany & Rensselaer counties) has a new challenge this year, to visit as many (or all!) of the 36 libraries in the system. Some libraries are big city libraries, others … Read the rest

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The Fortnite Pickaxe

We’ve always shared an inspirational message near the close of Neilah, the last Yom Kippur prayer, but in more recent years we’ve turned it into an annual “Yom Kippur Appeal”.

Being a college campus it’s obviously not an appeal for … Read the rest

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4 Tishrei Traditions, 4 Alumni

We’re now in the midst of the High Holiday season and this Shabbat we happen to have four recent alumni (all UAlbany Class of 2018) up in Albany for a visit. I thought of sharing a few lesser-known/observed holiday traditions … Read the rest

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The Mug Shot & the High Holidays

Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this 2018 I happened to hear this heartbreaking yet heartwarming story told by Steve Osborne at TheMoth.org in 2009. It’s 13 minutes long, but well worth a listen, especially if you hang on until … Read the rest

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Remembering 9/11 on Rosh Hashanah

This 2018, it so happens that 9/11 is the second day of Rosh Hashanah. 

While Rosh Hashanah is its best known name, this holiday of the Jewish New Year has 4 names:
(1) Rosh Hashanah – Head of the (new) … Read the rest

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Garbage, Listerine and Rosh Hashanah

Our usual garbage dumpster pickup day has been Thursday but this month has been quite sporadic. Once the driver came on Saturday, another time he missed a week. Today is Rosh Hashanah and we already have an overflowing dumpster because … Read the rest

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More to the Simple New Year Wish

A few years ago we shared “A Simple New Year Wish” that we heard from a developmentally challenged Chassid in a Monsey eatery before Rosh Hashanah that year.

One of the beautiful things about that wish/blessing is how … Read the rest

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