Thinking that the past few years have seen a redefinition of the term “ERA” from a lengthy period of time for large swaths of people, to now be seen as a temporary phase or passing interest or style for an … Read the rest
As we titled our “Shana Tova Fair” on campus this year, a spin on the Goodyear (which is literally what Shana Tova means) Tire – was thinking of the relevance of tires as we approach the Jewish New Year of … Read the rest
Rabbi Eliav came back with another group of students from Emek Jezreel College in Israel’s center-north near Afulah. It was a beautiful Shabbat together, they enhanced our Shabbat and spent quality time formally and informally with our students, and they … Read the rest
I (Mendel) attended a NYSWI (New York State Writers Institute) campus event this Fall 2025 featuring a poet and author who wrote a comedic memoir about growing up in Jewish Skokie (a very Jewish suburb of Chicago). I’ve been to … Read the rest
There’s a Midrash that tells the story of a man who wished to test the legendary wisdom of the children of Jerusalem. One of the tests was to give a Jerusalem child a few small coins and asked him to … Read the rest
The first verse in Shoftim, the Torah portion read at or close to the start of the Fall semester, instructs us to have “Judges and Officers at all your gates.” Gates is an unusual word for cities, and some commentaries … Read the rest
We had an alumnus from the UAlbany Class of 1990 visit for Shabbos with his family. He’s a light humorous guy, does shows as a comedian, but sitting around on Friday Night he actually shared something so serious and meaningful. … Read the rest
This term harks back to my Grand Jury duty days earlier this Summer 2025. Somehow it is one of the terms that stuck with me, I think it often when I read the news headlines or some rhetoric and those … Read the rest
Wanted to give a shout out appreciation to the UAlbany Welcome Staff who made this thoughtfully inclusive sign with the words for Welcome in many languages (& as I am Jewish) including Hebrew.
Back in March 2025 we had an issue with our 2016 gray Honda Odyssey minivan. It wasn’t working right and then it stalled out. The technician said our piston rings were worn out and it was causing a range of … Read the rest
Wanted to give a shout out appreciation to the UAlbany Welcome Staff who made this thoughtfully inclusive sign with the words for Welcome in many languages (& as I am Jewish) including Hebrew.