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The Chesed Fund is pleased to announce a new campaign verification service, independently run and managed by Agudath Israel, under the supervision of Rabbi Berel Simpser of the Florida Aguda. The purpose of this initiative is to identify worthy causes and ensure that all funds raised are going to their intended purpose, for our donor’s peace of mind. “It is our hope that this partnership and initiative will continue to serve klal Yisroel by engendering donor confidence, empowering fundraisers, and fulfil The Chesed Fund’s mission to do more good,” says Chesed Fund CEO Yoshi Falber. “We’re excited for what lies ahead.” Rabbi Simpser is connected to an existing network of Rabbonim from the Agudath Israel of America in 22 cities across the country who currently provide letters of approbation for tzedaka causes and chesed cases. “Many have commented that they are happy to see such a system in place because they are inundated with multiple requests for help via social media and until now they had no way to sift through the requests and confidently give more than a token donation” says Rabbi Simpser. “We’re happy that we’re continuing to help klal yisrael day by day,” says Chesed Fund founder Avi Kehat. “This exciting partnership is yet another innovation in kindness and charity.” This feature comes as a direct request from many of The Chesed Fund’s users, who wanted to ensure their funds were going to a worthy cause. This service will provide any fundraiser, organization, or individual the opportunity to have their cause vetted and receive a haskama in a timely manner with professionalism, sensitivity, and privacy. As always, The Chesed Fund will continue to drive forward in its efforts to make powerful crowdfunding tools available to all.

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Medicaid for Seniors: What to know

With age, one of the most pressing concerns is one's health and insurance coverage. People, particularly the retired and semi-retired, may experience financial difficulties as a result of their frequent visits to clinics. However, in such situations, Medicaid for retirees has come as a blessing to all those who need proper medical coverage. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a government-run insurance program in the United States that helps low-income Americans, especially many baby boomers, afford healthcare expenditures. A distinctive feature of Medicaid is that it provides insurance coverage for the long term. They do so for anyone who belongs to the low-income groups and also for those who cannot afford expensive treatments. Facts You Need to Know Medicaid is a remarkable plan that provides

Medicaid for Seniors: What to know

With age, one of the most pressing concerns is one's health and insurance coverage. People, particularly the retired and semi-retired, may experience financial difficulties as a result of their frequent visits to clinics. However, in such situations, Medicaid for retirees has come as a blessing to all those who need proper medical coverage. What Is Medicaid? Medicaid is a government-run insurance program in the United States that helps low-income Americans, especially many baby boomers, afford healthcare expenditures. A distinctive feature of Medicaid is that it provides insurance coverage for the long term. They do so for anyone who belongs to the low-income groups and also for those who cannot afford expensive treatments. Facts You Need to Know Medicaid is a remarkable plan that provides

10 Great Gifts for Date Night

There are so many reasons to give great gifs. Date night gifts, shiva gifts , and housewarming gifts are only a few of the many reasons you would give someone you love a gift. When it comes to date night gifts, there are so many different options. You may want to choose something small and thoughtful over a grand romantic gesture, depending on the date. No matter what you give them, it’s the thought that counts. Keep their loves, hobbies, and passions in mind when searching for a gift that will make them smile. 1. Around the World Coffee Sampler Are they a coffee lover? One great option is an around the world coffee sampler pack that comes with different coffees from different regions in the world. You can get Latin American coffees, Kenyan Coffees, Indonesian Coffees, and more. It&r

The Secret of Marriage is Focusing on Your Relationship, By Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT

Are you looking for ensure you have a great marriage? If you are, you’re not alone. Today, engaged couples, newlyweds and couples who have been married for years, are feeling insecure about their relationships and looking for advice on how to make their marriages work for the long run. Despite the fact that relationships are experiencing more stress than ever before, there is a pathway towards success and happiness. It’s no surprise that people are feeling unsure about the state of marriage in America. Take the latest studies on divorce which have remained stagnant for almost 20 years. A 1999 study called “The Effects of Divorce on America” showed a significant increase in divorce over the last seven decades. The report found that: “In 1935, there were 16 divorces for each 100 marriages. B

Video: The Rebbe Glimpsed Har HaBait and Burst Out in ‘Bnei Beischa.’

On Wednesday, a meeting took place between the Vizhnitzer Rebbe Hagaon Harav Israel Hager, shlit”a, and Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Mr. David Hager, one of the chief patrons of Nahal Haredi Organization. Mr. Hager is a close relative of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe and a strong proponent of drafting Haredi young men into the army. Attending the meeting were also Chairman of United Torah Jewry (UTJ) MK Menachem Eliezer Moses; Rabbi Dovid Fuchs, one of the founders of Nahal Haredi (Netzach Yehuda); and Director of the Pre-Military Preparatory Academy Bitir Colonel (Res.) Rabbi Moshe Hager. In the course of the meeting, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe distributed shirayim to the guests and then exited onto a small porch that overlooks the Temple Mount. Gazing at the vista, he spontaneously be

HILARIOUS! An Italian comedian attends a Pesach seder...

Sebastian Maniscalco is an American-Italian stand-up comedian. He attended his first Passover seder one year and was quite surprised when they started handing out "reading material" instead of starting the meal. And when they did finally start the meal, they gave out little pieces of celery and crackers! Where's the bread and the sauce to dip it in, he wanted to know?? If he paid attention at all, he would know that on Pesach night we dip twice, but we definitely don't dip any bread. His conclusion is a fair one - maybe the Italians should cater the Pesach seder. :'D

This chef has the secret to perfect Pesach baking

( The Nosher ) Master pastry chef Alex Levin has an impressive background. He received his undergraduate degree in applied mathematics from Yale, was the top student in the class of 2012 at the Culinary Institute of America, and trained under some of the industry’s leading pastry chefs at restaurants Jean-Georges and Café Boulud. But his talent with desserts pre-dates all of those degrees and formal training. He started baking as a child in the kitchen of his grandmother, Martha Hadassah Nadich, Rebbetzin of the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. Mrs. Nadich was esteemed for her intelligence, love of family and for her prowess in the kitchen. She was a sophisticated baker, cook and a hostess par excellence. The renowned New York Times food writer Craig Claiborne was her friend, and he inc

These North American baby boomers are teaching Israeli kids English

( JTA ) — There’s no reason Hodaya Koskas and Barrett Brickell would know each other. Koskas, 14, is a high school student from a small city in central Israel who takes ballet classes and hopes to be a dancer. Brickell, 71, is a retired schoolteacher from Ottawa, Canada. But they’ve been video chatting every week since September. The unlikely pairing begins by having Koskas read a one-page English description of a place in Israel — perhaps the Western Wall or a mall. Then they shift into talking about their lives. Koskas talks about an upcoming ballet competition that, if she wins, could lead to a trip to New York City. Barrett talks about life in Canada — the snow outside his window, the particulars of the local malls. Koskas says she now understands that in Canada, people hit the malls w

Mayim Bialik meets Israeli president Rivlin

JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — Israel’s president welcomed American actress Mayim Bialik to his residence in Jerusalem. On Sunday, Reuven Rivlin told Bialik that he had heard so much from his grandchildren about her, her work as an actress and her strong support for Israel. The star of the hit television series “The Big Bang Theory” is in Israel to participate in the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, which starts Monday in Jerusalem. “My family came to live in Israel when I was born, and they lived in a few places around the country, so I grew up with a strong Zionist identity,” she told Rivlin. Bialik, 41, has a doctorate in neuroscience and plays neuroscientist Amy Fowler-Farrah on her show. A divorced mother of two sons, she was raised Reform and now practices Modern Orthodoxy. In many int

Here's why an American Bar Mitzvah boy chose to have his party on an IDF army base

An American family celebrated the recent Bar Mitzvah of their son with a trip to Israel. They decided to share their joy with the soldiers of Nachal Chareidi Netzach Yehuda, bringing music, meat and other food items to the base, for a party that was enjoyed by the family and soldiers alike. These IDF Soldiers are part of the Chareidi Unit 941, stationed in the Northern Shomron. They are on currently on “מילואים”. Just about all of the soldiers are married and have at least 4 children at home. They have been there since two weeks before Purim. ( Nat Golden – YWN )

Florida congressman’s kids are using hamantaschen to help end gun violence

( JTA ) — The college-aged kids of a Jewish congressman from Florida are raising money to end gun violence by selling hamantaschen. Gabby, Serena and Cole Deutch launched the Bake Action Against Gun Violence initiative on Sunday. Their father is Rep. Ted Deutch, a Florida Democrat who represents the district where 17 people were killed last week in Parkland in a shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a former student there. The project encourages Americans from across the country to bake hamantaschen, a pastry traditionally eaten during the upcoming holiday of Purim, and sell them to raise money. After learning about the shooting, Gabby Deutch, 22, wanted to find a way to help. As a senior at Yale University, she felt far removed from her hometown of Boca Raton, which

IDF helped prevent a terrorist attack on Australian flight

( From Dan's Deals ) News reports came out of Israel yesterday that the IDF helped thwart an attack on an Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi last July. Sydney to Abu Dhabi is one of Etihad’s flagship routes, featuring their A380 service with business class studios, first class apartments with showers, and The Residence, which is the most luxurious class found on a commercial airliner. I used American miles to fly in an Etihad first class apartment from Abu Dhabi to JFK last March. A military grade explosive was sent by ISIS operatives from Turkey to Australia. IDF’s Unit 8200 tipped off Australia about the impending attack, which was to be carried out by an attacker having his unsuspecting brother check a meat mincer onto a flight that would have blown a hole on the Etihad flight. The

Why the box office hit 'Black Panther' might also be a milestone in black-Jewish relations

( JTA ) — If you have checked in on the pop culture zeitgeist at all in the past week, you know that the film “Black Panther” is breaking box office records and Hollywood assumptions about race . The well-received Marvel flick was written and directed by African-Americans (co-written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, and directed by Coogler) and it features a mostly African-American cast, anchored by Chadwick Boseman in the title role as a black superhero. But some fans might not realize that the original Black Panther character was actually created by two white Jews. The superhero was the brainchild of writer Stan Lee (born Stanley Lieber) and artist Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg), who were already veterans of the comic book industry when they started working together at Marvel at t

WATCH: Trump honors law enforcement officers and firefighters

( Jewish Breaking News ) President Trump awards the Medal of Valor to 12 Americans, which is the highest possible decoration for bravery by public safety officers. T he recipients include: Deputy Shaun Wallen, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (California) — 11 years of service Corporal Rafael Ixco, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (California) — 20 years of service Detective Bruce Southworth, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (California) — seven years of service District Attorney Investigator Chad Johnson, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office (California) — 17 years of service Officer Nicholas Koahou, Redlands Police Department (California) — 10 years of service Detective Brian Olvera, San Bernardino Police Department (California) — 13 years of ser

Wedding of Rivky Luftig (Manchester, England) & Chosson Royde (America)!!

The Backstreet Boys are returning to Israel

JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — The American pop band Backstreet Boys will perform in Israel. The band, whose popularity was at its peak in the 1990s, will play one concert in April in the central city of Rishon Lezion. The concert was announced on Monday afternoon and is based on the band’s Las Vegas show in residence at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. “Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life,” as the show is called, includes all of the band’s greatest hits. In May 2015, the band played three shows in Israel and toured the country. Three sold-out performances in July 2014 were canceled due to the Gaza war.

Is Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin Jewish?

( JTA ) — All eyes are on skiing wunderkind Mikaela Shiffrin this week at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The 22-year-old American is favored to win gold medals in slalom and giant slalom — those technique-heavy events in which skiers glide and weave between poles or gates (as opposed to the downhill and super-G categories, which are considered more straightforward “speed” events). She is also a contender in the combined event, which involves both slalom and downhill runs. All of this comes after her appearance in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, where she won gold in the slalom event at age 18. Oh, and she has also already won the skiing World Championships three times dating back to 2013. In addition to her seemingly limitless talent, the bubbly speedster has a surname n

Jewish snowboarder earns Olympic bronze for US

( JTA ) — American snowboarder Arielle Gold earned a bronze medal in the women’s halfpipe contest at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Gold, who is Jewish, finished third on Tuesday behind U.S. teammate Chloe Kim, 17, who took the gold, and silver medalist Jiayu Liu of China. Gold , 21, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, reportedly had considered retiring after dislocating her right shoulder while training for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. She ultimately was not able to compete four years ago, though her older brother, Taylor, did. On Tuesday in South Korea, Gold performed the demanding 1080 trick involving three rotations. Half the competitors attempted the move. “I think that Steamboat is proud to have so many Olympians here, but to be able to bring home a medal to the town that has

US ambassador to Israel sends condolence letter to family of slain West Bank rabbi

JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman in a condolence letter to the family of a West Bank rabbi killed in a Palestinian stabbing attack said that “the government and the people of the United States of America are standing with you.” In the letter, released on Sunday to media outlets, Friedman told the wife and children of Itamar Ben Gal that: “Once again, my heart breaks as I reach out to a beautiful family that has lost a husband and a father.” Rabbi Itamar Ben Gal, a 29-year-old father of four children, was fatally stabbed at a bus stop at the entrance to the northern West Bank settlement of Ariel on February 5. The rabbi was from the settlement of Har Bracha, and had been on the way to the brit of his newborn nephew. The attack came less than a month after Rabbi R

Gal Gadot will star on 'The Simpsons'

( JTA ) — Israeli actress Gal Gadot will voice herself on an episode of “The Simpsons.” Gadot will appear in an episode of the animated sitcom titled “Bart’s Not Dead” airing in season 30 this fall, The Wrap reported Monday. On Tuesday, the “Wonder Woman” star announced her news on Twitter accompanied by a video of her autographing the blue hair of Simpson’s character Marge on a poster also autographed by other screen stars. “I grew up watching @The Simpsons and now I get to voice myself in an episode! Stay tuned…” she tweeted . “The Simpsons,” created by Matt Groening, debuted in 1989 and is the longest-running American sitcom, as well as the longest-running American animated program, with 629 episodes. I grew up watching @TheSimpsons and now I get to voice myself in an episode! ?? Stay t

"KOSHER HALFTIME SHOW" TO KICKOFF ON NACHUM SEGAL NETWORK DURING THE BIG GAME ON FEBRUARY 4

2018 SHOW TO FEATURE JEWISH MUSIC SUPERSTAR OHAD AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER MEIR KAY Top Jewish radio personality Nachum Segal and NSN (The Nachum Segal Network) will present its fifth annual "Kosher Halftime Show" on Sunday, February 4 to coincide with America's big game. The show will include the ever-popular singer Ohad and social media influencer Meir Kay. It will be recorded at the Wilf Children’s Hospital at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. NSN's "Kosher Halftime Show״ will again include unique commercials. This year's spots are from Yeshiva University, One Israel Fund and Carmel Wineries. "The Halftime Show is an iconic American event featuring the key players in the music industry," said Nachum Segal, president and host of NSN. "The Kosher Halftime Show gives Jewish music

5 Jewish Storylines To Look Out For in The Upcoming Winter Olympics

( JTA ) — The world is about to revolve around Pyeongchang, a mountainous county in the northern half of South Korea, for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Jewish fans won’t have quite as many standout athletes to cheer for this year as they did in 2016, when multiple American members of the tribe won medals at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. But there are several compelling Jewish stories to catch up on before the action starts. Israel is sending its largest team ever. Short track speed skater Vladislav Bykanov, lower left, leading the Israeli Olympic team at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Before this year, the largest Israeli delegation at a Winter Olympics was five. That shouldn’t sound too surprising, given that

This Year's Yarchei Kallah Was a Huge Success

By all accounts, this year’s Agudath Israel of American’s Torah Projects Commission’s annual Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah was one for the history books, with more than 500 participants spanning five continents, 30 cities and several groups that spanned two and even three generations. Now in its 18th year, the Yarchei Kallah delved into Sugyos throughout Shas that deal with refuah and pikuach nefesh, a topic that had attendees alternately transfixed and engaged in animated debate. This was indicative of an extremely high level of intensity on display throughout the week-long event which also attracted many additional participants who flocked to the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel to take part in the program. Known for attracting top magidei shiur and rabbonim, the Yarchei Kallah participants themselv

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld Visits Israeli Counter-Terror Training Camp

Famed Jewish-American comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld came under fire this week for a recent visit to a counter-terrorism and security training academy in the Judea and Samaria community of Efrat. Jerry Seinfeld (right) with instructor Etan Cohen, visits the Israeli counter-terror training academy Caliber 3. Credit: Twitter.. Seinfeld spent 10 days in Israel with his family upon visiting to deliver two stand-up comedy performances in Tel Aviv on Dec. 30. On Tuesday, the counter-terror training academy Caliber 3 removed photos of Seinfeld at its facilities after posting the images online a few days earlier. Jerry Seinfeld (right) visits the Israeli counter-terror training academy Caliber 3. Seinfeld’s is flanked by his wife Jessica to his right and his children. “Finally we are allowed to

This Hilarious Exchange Between A Jewish Grandmother and a Self-Driving Car Could Become a Reality

( JTA ) — “One of America’s largest retirement villages will have a fleet of self-driving taxis introduced next year. US firm Voyage said it will start rolling out the service at The Villages, Florida which is home to 125,000 senior residents. It said the scheme, spanning 750 miles of road, would be the “largest by area size” in the world.” — BBC “Good morning, Passenger Nussbaum.” “Who? What? Who’s talking?” “Don’t be alarmed. My name is Burgundy Altima, license number AZX-11B, and I am here to take you to the pharmacist.” “You must be short — I can’t see you over the headrest. Of course, I couldn’t see my husband either, he should rest in peace, unless he sat on a cushion. Come to think of it, you never see a driver down here — just a hat and two hands on the top of a steering wheel.” “I

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld Visits Israeli Counter-Terror Training Camp

Famed Jewish-American comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld came under fire this week for a recent visit to a counter-terrorism and security training academy in the Judea and Samaria community of Efrat. Jerry Seinfeld (right) with instructor Etan Cohen, visits the Israeli counter-terror training academy Caliber 3. Credit: Twitter.. Seinfeld spent 10 days in Israel with his family upon visiting to deliver two stand-up comedy performances in Tel Aviv on Dec. 30. On Tuesday, the counter-terror training academy Caliber 3 removed photos of Seinfeld at its facilities after posting the images online a few days earlier. Jerry Seinfeld (right) visits the Israeli counter-terror training academy Caliber 3. Seinfeld’s is flanked by his wife Jessica to his right and his children. “Finally we are allowed to

This Hilarious Exchange Between A Jewish Grandmother and a Self-Driving Car Could Become a Reality

( JTA ) — “One of America’s largest retirement villages will have a fleet of self-driving taxis introduced next year. US firm Voyage said it will start rolling out the service at The Villages, Florida which is home to 125,000 senior residents. It said the scheme, spanning 750 miles of road, would be the “largest by area size” in the world.” — BBC “Good morning, Passenger Nussbaum.” “Who? What? Who’s talking?” “Don’t be alarmed. My name is Burgundy Altima, license number AZX-11B, and I am here to take you to the pharmacist.” “You must be short — I can’t see you over the headrest. Of course, I couldn’t see my husband either, he should rest in peace, unless he sat on a cushion. Come to think of it, you never see a driver down here — just a hat and two hands on the top of a steering wheel.” “I

This Brazilian Jew is Helping Keep Inflation Down

RIO DE JANEIRO ( JTA ) — Brazil’s Central Bank president, an Israeli native, was named central banker of the year by a British magazine. Ilan Goldfajn, who was born in Haifa and raised in Rio de Janeiro, was selected by The Banker magazine due to his successful performance taming Latin America’s largest nation’s annual inflation. Since Goldfaj was named Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil last may, inflation dipped to 2.95 percent in 2017, the lowest in nearly 20 years, reported O Globo newspaper. “This is far from an easy accomplishment in a country that has struggled with inflation rising at double digits in the recent past,” wrote the magazine, which is part of the Financial Times group. Goldfajn, 51, an economist, has a career in both the public and private sectors. He served as chi

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Respond to the Jewish Women Who Wished Them "Mazal Tov"

When Edna Levi looked through her mail on Sunday, she was shocked to find an envelope delivered from Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the soon-to-be-married British royal couple, had answered her letter. Levi, who lives outside Leeds and is in her 80s, had sent the couple a note of congratulations after their recent engagement, The Yorkshire Evening Post reported. “Dear Prince,” Levi, a member of the Leeds Jewish community, had written in her note. “I’m British-born but a member of the Jewish faith and we say Mazel Tov on a happy occasion. This is why I am saying it to you and wishing you well and good health.” Levi’s sentiments left the British royal and his American actress fiancee “incredibly touched.” “It really was most thoughtful of you and greatly appreciated,” the

This Brazilian Jew is Helping Keep Inflation Down

RIO DE JANEIRO ( JTA ) — Brazil’s Central Bank president, an Israeli native, was named central banker of the year by a British magazine. Ilan Goldfajn, who was born in Haifa and raised in Rio de Janeiro, was selected by The Banker magazine due to his successful performance taming Latin America’s largest nation’s annual inflation. Since Goldfaj was named Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil last may, inflation dipped to 2.95 percent in 2017, the lowest in nearly 20 years, reported O Globo newspaper. “This is far from an easy accomplishment in a country that has struggled with inflation rising at double digits in the recent past,” wrote the magazine, which is part of the Financial Times group. Goldfajn, 51, an economist, has a career in both the public and private sectors. He served as chi

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Respond to the Jewish Women Who Wished Them "Mazal Tov"

When Edna Levi looked through her mail on Sunday, she was shocked to find an envelope delivered from Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the soon-to-be-married British royal couple, had answered her letter. Levi, who lives outside Leeds and is in her 80s, had sent the couple a note of congratulations after their recent engagement, The Yorkshire Evening Post reported. “Dear Prince,” Levi, a member of the Leeds Jewish community, had written in her note. “I’m British-born but a member of the Jewish faith and we say Mazel Tov on a happy occasion. This is why I am saying it to you and wishing you well and good health.” Levi’s sentiments left the British royal and his American actress fiancee “incredibly touched.” “It really was most thoughtful of you and greatly appreciated,” the

Happy 37th Birthday Jared Kushner!

Source: Wikipedia Jared Corey Kushner (born January 10, 1981) is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States. Kushner is the elder son of real-estate developer Charles Kushner, and is married to Ivanka Trump, President Trump's daughter and advisor. He was chief executive officer of the real-estate holding and development company Kushner Companies, and of Observer Media, publisher of the New York Observer. He is the co-founder and part owner of Cadre, an online real-estate investment platform. During the 2016 Trump presidential campaign, Kushner helped develop and run Trump's digital media strategy. On January 9, 2017, Kushner was named as a senior White House advi

Happy 37th Birthday Jared Kushner!

Source: Wikipedia Jared Corey Kushner (born January 10, 1981) is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States. Kushner is the elder son of real-estate developer Charles Kushner, and is married to Ivanka Trump, President Trump's daughter and advisor. He was chief executive officer of the real-estate holding and development company Kushner Companies, and of Observer Media, publisher of the New York Observer. He is the co-founder and part owner of Cadre, an online real-estate investment platform. During the 2016 Trump presidential campaign, Kushner helped develop and run Trump's digital media strategy. On January 9, 2017, Kushner was named as a senior White House advi

Mazal tov to Gwyneth Paltrow on Her Engagement!

( JTA ) — Gwyneth Paltrow and television executive Brad Falchuk are officially engaged. The couple, who dated for more than three years, reportedly were engaged in November, but did not go public with the news until Monday. “We feel incredibly lucky to have come together at this juncture in our lives when our collective successes and failures can serve as building blocks for a healthy and happy relationship,” the couple said in a joint statement first given to “Good Morning America.” A black-and-white photo of the couple appeared Tuesday on the cover of Paltrow’s Goop magazine. The couple met in 2014 on the set of the since-ended drama “Glee,” where Falchuk served as executive producer, when Paltrow guest starred as a singing substitute teacher. Falchuk, 46, who also was a co-creator, writ

Mazal tov to Gwyneth Paltrow on Her Engagement!

( JTA ) — Gwyneth Paltrow and television executive Brad Falchuk are officially engaged. The couple, who dated for more than three years, reportedly were engaged in November, but did not go public with the news until Monday. “We feel incredibly lucky to have come together at this juncture in our lives when our collective successes and failures can serve as building blocks for a healthy and happy relationship,” the couple said in a joint statement first given to “Good Morning America.” A black-and-white photo of the couple appeared Tuesday on the cover of Paltrow’s Goop magazine. The couple met in 2014 on the set of the since-ended drama “Glee,” where Falchuk served as executive producer, when Paltrow guest starred as a singing substitute teacher. Falchuk, 46, who also was a co-creator, writ

A Muslim Comic Book Writer Just Introduced A Yeshiva Student and Kosher Food Into the Marvel Universe

On December 20, the last day of Hanukkah, Jewish readers of the popular comic book superhero series Ms. Marvel got an unexpected present in its newest issue. Since 2015, the series has chronicled the escapades of teenager Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teen who serves as a shape-shifting crimefighter by night. Notably, Khan is a Muslim—the first to headline a superhero franchise in the Marvel Universe—as is the writer behind her adventures, G. Willow Wilson. But the latest installment of Khan’s story turned the spotlight to a different religious tradition: How did this kippah-clad yeshiva student and his Orthodox Union (OU) certified sandwich end up in the Marvel Universe? And why did a Muslim author choose to introduce Jewish religion and practice into her comic book world? I asked Wil

A Muslim Comic Book Writer Just Introduced A Yeshiva Student and Kosher Food Into the Marvel Universe

On December 20, the last day of Hanukkah, Jewish readers of the popular comic book superhero series Ms. Marvel got an unexpected present in its newest issue. Since 2015, the series has chronicled the escapades of teenager Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teen who serves as a shape-shifting crimefighter by night. Notably, Khan is a Muslim—the first to headline a superhero franchise in the Marvel Universe—as is the writer behind her adventures, G. Willow Wilson. But the latest installment of Khan’s story turned the spotlight to a different religious tradition: How did this kippah-clad yeshiva student and his Orthodox Union (OU) certified sandwich end up in the Marvel Universe? And why did a Muslim author choose to introduce Jewish religion and practice into her comic book world? I asked Wil

This Jewish Camp Established a Scholarship in Memory of Family Killed in Costa Rica Plane Crash

NEW YORK ( JTA ) — A Jewish camp has created a scholarship fund in memory of a family who died in a plane crash in Costa Rica. Camp Ramah Darom, a Conservative summer camp in Clayton, Georgia, established a fund in memory of the Weiss family on Tuesday. The Weisses, of Belleair, Florida — Mitchell and Leslie, both physicians; their daughter, Hannah, 19, and son, Ari, 16 — were killed Sunday when the small plane in which they were passengers went down in the Central American nation’s northwest shortly after takeoff. Another eight people died in the crash, including a Jewish family of five from Scarsdale, New York. Hannah and Ari Weiss attended Camp Ramah Darom for 10 years. Leslie Weiss and her sisters also attended Ramah camps as children. The Weiss Family Scholarship Fund was created at t

This Jewish Camp Established a Scholarship in Memory of Family Killed in Costa Rica Plane Crash

NEW YORK ( JTA ) — A Jewish camp has created a scholarship fund in memory of a family who died in a plane crash in Costa Rica. Camp Ramah Darom, a Conservative summer camp in Clayton, Georgia, established a fund in memory of the Weiss family on Tuesday. The Weisses, of Belleair, Florida — Mitchell and Leslie, both physicians; their daughter, Hannah, 19, and son, Ari, 16 — were killed Sunday when the small plane in which they were passengers went down in the Central American nation’s northwest shortly after takeoff. Another eight people died in the crash, including a Jewish family of five from Scarsdale, New York. Hannah and Ari Weiss attended Camp Ramah Darom for 10 years. Leslie Weiss and her sisters also attended Ramah camps as children. The Weiss Family Scholarship Fund was created at t

There Was A Second Jewish Family in the Costa Rica Plane Crash

Costa Rican investigators are looking into what caused a charter aircraft to crash in woods in the country’s northwest soon after takeoff, killing two crewmembers and 10 U.S. citizens, including Jewish families from New York and Florida. The families from Scarsdale, N.Y., and Belleair, Florida, accounted for nine of the dead, and were part of a tour organized by Berkeley, California-based Backroads. Their American guide was the 10th U.S. victim. Costa Rican officials had said they were still seeking to establish the names of the Americans who died when the Nature Air plane went down at midday Sunday in Guanacaste. But back at home, stunned family and friends began to confirm the victims’ identities. In St. Petersburg, Florida, Rabbi Jacob Luski of Congregation B’nai Israel said Monday that

Volunteers Fly 5-Year-Old Girl With Cancer To Her Cousin's Wedding in Israel

Tears were flowing in Israel when a young girl R”L diagnosed with cancer at the age of three, surprised everyone and walked down the aisle as a flower girl at a cousin’s wedding. Five-year-old Libby Nagel, from Sydney, Australia, has been in America for two years receiving treatment. Doctors thought Libby had beat the disease, until they recently discovered a brain tumor in the front part of her brain. “Three weeks ago her family called and said that doctors said it was difficult and dangerous for Libby to fly, but she really wanted to be a flower girl at the wedding,” former Sydney-sider Dovi Meyer, told YWN. He called Eli Rowe, CEO of Jet 911, a multi-national volunteer-based organization of doctors and physicians that support medical transfers. Working with hospitals in Israel, Rowe was

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Reflects on the Miracle that is the Iron Dome

This morning, on our current AIPAC trip to Israel with Rabbinical students, we met at the northern border with one of the chief engineers behind Iron Dome. America had tried to invent a missile intercept system with no success and didn’t fund Israel’s research and development effort because they thought it couldn’t be done. The Israeli team that ultimately created this extraordinary system never imagined it would have the success rate that it does. In over 1,700 events, Iron Dome has had an over 92% success rate shooting rockets down and protecting the people of Israel. When I asked how he explains it, the engineer answered, “If Iron Dome had a 40% success rate, we would be tremendously proud and impressed. The only way to explain an over 90% success rate is the hand of God. People constan

There Was A Second Jewish Family in the Costa Rica Plane Crash

Costa Rican investigators are looking into what caused a charter aircraft to crash in woods in the country’s northwest soon after takeoff, killing two crewmembers and 10 U.S. citizens, including Jewish families from New York and Florida. The families from Scarsdale, N.Y., and Belleair, Florida, accounted for nine of the dead, and were part of a tour organized by Berkeley, California-based Backroads. Their American guide was the 10th U.S. victim. Costa Rican officials had said they were still seeking to establish the names of the Americans who died when the Nature Air plane went down at midday Sunday in Guanacaste. But back at home, stunned family and friends began to confirm the victims’ identities. In St. Petersburg, Florida, Rabbi Jacob Luski of Congregation B’nai Israel said Monday that

Volunteers Fly 5-Year-Old Girl With Cancer To Her Cousin's Wedding in Israel

Tears were flowing in Israel when a young girl R”L diagnosed with cancer at the age of three, surprised everyone and walked down the aisle as a flower girl at a cousin’s wedding. Five-year-old Libby Nagel, from Sydney, Australia, has been in America for two years receiving treatment. Doctors thought Libby had beat the disease, until they recently discovered a brain tumor in the front part of her brain. “Three weeks ago her family called and said that doctors said it was difficult and dangerous for Libby to fly, but she really wanted to be a flower girl at the wedding,” former Sydney-sider Dovi Meyer, told YWN. He called Eli Rowe, CEO of Jet 911, a multi-national volunteer-based organization of doctors and physicians that support medical transfers. Working with hospitals in Israel, Rowe was

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Reflects on the Miracle that is the Iron Dome

This morning, on our current AIPAC trip to Israel with Rabbinical students, we met at the northern border with one of the chief engineers behind Iron Dome. America had tried to invent a missile intercept system with no success and didn’t fund Israel’s research and development effort because they thought it couldn’t be done. The Israeli team that ultimately created this extraordinary system never imagined it would have the success rate that it does. In over 1,700 events, Iron Dome has had an over 92% success rate shooting rockets down and protecting the people of Israel. When I asked how he explains it, the engineer answered, “If Iron Dome had a 40% success rate, we would be tremendously proud and impressed. The only way to explain an over 90% success rate is the hand of God. People constan

Family & Friends Mourn the Jewish Family of 5 Who Died in Costa Rica Plane Crash

A Jewish family of 5 from New York are among 10 American tourists who were killed in a fiery plane crash in the mountains of Costa Rica on Sunday. The Costa Rican government said that the plane had 12 people on board before it crashed in a wooded area. The 10 passengers and 2 Costa Rican pilots all died. “There are no people alive,” Security Minister Gustavo Mata said. Autopsies are pending to confirm the badly burned victims’ identities. The Diario Las Americos reported that the American family of five on board the aircraft has been identified as Bruce Steinberg, 50, his wife Irene, 51, and their 3 sons Matthew, William and Zachary Steinberg. The family is from Scarsdale, and are affiliated with the Westchester Reform Temple. Another Jewish women, Leslie Levin Weiss from Belaire, Florida,

Family & Friends Mourn the Jewish Family of 5 Who Died in Costa Rica Plane Crash

A Jewish family of 5 from New York are among 10 American tourists who were killed in a fiery plane crash in the mountains of Costa Rica on Sunday. The Costa Rican government said that the plane had 12 people on board before it crashed in a wooded area. The 10 passengers and 2 Costa Rican pilots all died. “There are no people alive,” Security Minister Gustavo Mata said. Autopsies are pending to confirm the badly burned victims’ identities. The Diario Las Americos reported that the American family of five on board the aircraft has been identified as Bruce Steinberg, 50, his wife Irene, 51, and their 3 sons Matthew, William and Zachary Steinberg. The family is from Scarsdale, and are affiliated with the Westchester Reform Temple. Another Jewish women, Leslie Levin Weiss from Belaire, Florida,

PM Netanyahu Ranked #9 Most Respected Man in the World

( The Yeshiva World ) In a recent Gallup Poll that was published on Thursday, U.S. voters ranked Israeli Prime Minister as the 9th most respected man in the world. Coming in first place was former U.S. President Barack Obama, with the current U.S. President Donald Trump coming in second ahead of Pope Francis. Netanyahu beat out entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, The Dalia Lama and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. who rounded out the top twelve. Above Netanyahu in the list was Rev. Billy Graham, John McCain, Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders and Bill Gates. Following the publication of the poll Netanyahu quickly filmed a video that was posted on social media in which he thanked the U.S. public for ranking him in the top ten. Thank you, America! ???? תודה לציבור האמריקני על בחירתו בי לאחד מעשרת האנשים הנערצים

PM Netanyahu Ranked #9 Most Respected Man in the World

( The Yeshiva World ) In a recent Gallup Poll that was published on Thursday, U.S. voters ranked Israeli Prime Minister as the 9th most respected man in the world. Coming in first place was former U.S. President Barack Obama, with the current U.S. President Donald Trump coming in second ahead of Pope Francis. Netanyahu beat out entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, The Dalia Lama and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. who rounded out the top twelve. Above Netanyahu in the list was Rev. Billy Graham, John McCain, Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders and Bill Gates. Following the publication of the poll Netanyahu quickly filmed a video that was posted on social media in which he thanked the U.S. public for ranking him in the top ten. Thank you, America! ???? תודה לציבור האמריקני על בחירתו בי לאחד מעשרת האנשים הנערצים

Rubashkin 'Thank You' Tour Continues!

( The Yeshiva World) Sholom Rubashkin is continuing on his thank you tour, and has had an action-packed 48 hours. Rubashkin visited the Novaminsker Rebbe and members of Agudath israel of America, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, the Munkatcher Rebbe, the Skverer Cheder in Monsey, the Slonimer Rebbe, the Kever of the Satmar Rov Z”L, and other locations. He also Davened Shacharis in Boro Park at the Satmar Bais Medrash on 53 Street – where he had Lechayim with hundreds of people. YWN has published dozens of photo albums courtesy of the team at JDN. The following are links to the various YWN Photo Albums from each event. Photo Essay: Sholom Rubashkin Celebrating His Release In Kiryas Yoel (Photos by JDN) Photo Essay: Sholom Rubashkin Meeting With The Satmar R

You'll Never Guess How Many North Americans Made Aliyah This Year

JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — With the arrival of a flight carrying 93 new immigrants, a total of 3,633 people from North America made aliyah in 2017, Nefesh B’Nefesh reported. The group flight that landed at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday included 15 future lone soldiers and a soon-to-be bride, according to the organization. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, helps facilitate aliyah — the Hebrew term for Jewish immigration to Israel — from North America and the United Kingdom. Another 103 Americans and Canadians already living or studying in Israel made aliyah on Wednesday at the Nefesh B’Nefesh offices in Jerusalem. Many of the 3,633 new immigrants arrived on 19 special

Rubashkin 'Thank You' Tour Continues!

( The Yeshiva World) Sholom Rubashkin is continuing on his thank you tour, and has had an action-packed 48 hours. Rubashkin visited the Novaminsker Rebbe and members of Agudath israel of America, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, the Munkatcher Rebbe, the Skverer Cheder in Monsey, the Slonimer Rebbe, the Kever of the Satmar Rov Z”L, and other locations. He also Davened Shacharis in Boro Park at the Satmar Bais Medrash on 53 Street – where he had Lechayim with hundreds of people. YWN has published dozens of photo albums courtesy of the team at JDN. The following are links to the various YWN Photo Albums from each event. Photo Essay: Sholom Rubashkin Celebrating His Release In Kiryas Yoel (Photos by JDN) Photo Essay: Sholom Rubashkin Meeting With The Satmar R

You'll Never Guess How Many North Americans Made Aliyah This Year

JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — With the arrival of a flight carrying 93 new immigrants, a total of 3,633 people from North America made aliyah in 2017, Nefesh B’Nefesh reported. The group flight that landed at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday included 15 future lone soldiers and a soon-to-be bride, according to the organization. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, helps facilitate aliyah — the Hebrew term for Jewish immigration to Israel — from North America and the United Kingdom. Another 103 Americans and Canadians already living or studying in Israel made aliyah on Wednesday at the Nefesh B’Nefesh offices in Jerusalem. Many of the 3,633 new immigrants arrived on 19 special

Why Do Jews Eat Chinese Food on Christmas

( The Nosher ) It’s a bit of cliche with a whole lot of truth behind it: Jews love eating Chinese food on Christmas and Christmas Eve. The story of why Jews in America stereotypically enjoy Chinese food on Christmas began, like so many American Jewish stories, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and Chinese immigrants were two non-Christian immigrant groups living side by side in nearby Manhattan neighborhoods. And while it’s true that Chinese restaurants were likely the only option open for Jews on a holiday like Christmas, Adam Chandler points out in this article from The Altantic that the Jews and Chinese were linked by their otherness on Christmas; neither had yet assimilated into American culture or celebrated the holiday. Food writer Michael Twi

Thank You Guatemala!

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Sunday that he is planning to move the Central American country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. On FaceBook, Morales wrote that he decided to move the embassy from Tel Aviv after talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. This month US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US policy and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies. On Thursday, 128 countries defied Trump by backing a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem.

Trump Delivers Chanukah Wishes to 'Jewish Brothers and Sisters'

President Donald Trump said he was “proud to stand with the Jewish people” on Hanukkah. “Melania and I wish all of our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrating this meaningful holiday a happy and healthy eight nights in the company of those they love,” Trump said in a message Tuesday evening, the first night of the eight-day holiday, and naming the first lady. “On this holiday, we are proud to stand with the Jewish people who shine as a light to all nations. We also stand with the people of Israel, the Jewish State, which has itself a miraculous history of overcoming the tallest of odds,” the statement said. Scroll to 35 minute mark for Gary Cohn Trump’s director of the National Economic Council, Gary Cohn, lit the “national menorah” on the National Mall, an event organized by American Frie

The future of luxury travel in Jerusalem is here! | Come Join VIP Jerusalem!

VIP Jerusalem Vacation Rentals The future of luxury travel in Jerusalem is here! Hotels aren’t in anymore! VIP Jerusalem offers large 3-4 bedroom apartments in some of Jerusalem’s most luxurious locations throughout the city. WIth Prices starting as low as $579-$990 per day with daily cleaning help!, who would go back to a hotel ever again! VIP Jerusalem Hospitality and Jerusalem Vacation Rentals was established with the sole purpose of providing five-star Jerusalem apartment rentals in mamilla and VIP services in Jerusalem . We create American-style service in the heart of Jerusalem. Our travel and Jerusalem vacation rentals services are unparalleled in providing the perfect accommodations as well Luxury apartment rentals in Jerusalem, as per the visitor’s requirements, and we always stri

This Has to Make You Proud to be a Jew in 2017

PM Netanyahu marked the first evening of Hanukkah at Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with Israeli diplomats around the world. PM Netanyahu stated: "There's no substitute for American leadership worldwide and in the Middle East, and there's no substitute for America's leadership in leading the peace process.

This Jewish Actor Just Turned 101!

( Jewish Breaking News ) Legendary Hollywood icon and philanthropist Kirk Douglas turned 101 on Shabbos (December 9). Born Issur Danielovitch, December 9, 1916, Kirk is an American actor, producer, director, and author. He is one of the last living people of the film industry’s Golden Age. Kirk Douglas with his six sisters, Pesha, Kaleh, Tamara, Rachel and twins Hashka and Shifra. Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch, December 9, 1916) is an American actor, producer, director, and author. He is one of the last living people of the film industry’s Golden Age. Douglas came from a Russian Jewish family who immigrated to Amsterdam, New York, where he was born. Young Issur Danielovitch with his beloved mother Bryna. They spoke Yiddish at home. His family was poor, leaving Douglas to support th

LA Synagogue Takes in 23 Sifrei Torah From Shuls in Path of Raging Wildfires

( Forward.com ) A Conservative synagogue in Los Angeles has taken in Torah scrolls from other Jewish institutions that are in the path of a major fire sweeping through the city. Scrolls from Leo Baeck Temple, Stephen Wise Temple, the American Jewish University, the Skirball Cultural Center and the Milken Community Schools were relocated to Valley Beth Shalom for safekeeping. Rabbi Noah Farkas of Valley Beth Shalom said there were 23 Torah scrolls being kept at his synagogue. “It came together more or less in the moment,” Farkas told the Forward. “I woke up at 5:00 AM and the sky was orange and my house smelled like smoke. I started calling my friends to make sure they’re okay.” Rabbis told the Jewish Journal of the treacherous journeys they had to take to save the scrolls. “We went basical

Filming for Good Morning America with Linzie Janis

Tune into Good Morning America, channel 7, this Friday, Dec. 8 at 8:15 am to hear our story and help save Benny and Josh. See the whole story HERE

How to Make Perfect Sufganiyot Every Time

( The Nosher ) You may have grown up with your mom, dad or grandma frying up latkes at the stove. Probably for hours and hours. Frying up donuts may be slightly less common, at least for American Jews where the latke still seems to reign supreme over sufganiyot. But donuts are not super complicated, and so delish when made fresh at home, filled right away with your favorite jam, nutella or even pudding. Our simple how-to video will have you frying and filling in no time. See full instructions and recipe below. And then start getting creative with those perfectly executed sufganiyot. Israeli-Style Sufganiyot Ingredients For the dough: 3.5 cups flour ½ tsp salt ¼ cup sugar 1 Tbsp dry instant yeast 1 egg 3.5 Tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes 1 ¼ cups lukewarm milk For frying: 1 liter

The future of luxury travel in Jerusalem is here!

VIP Jerusalem Vacation Rentals The future of luxury travel in Jerusalem is here! Hotels aren’t in anymore! VIP Jerusalem offers large 3-4 bedroom apartments in some of Jerusalem's most luxurious locations throughout the city. WIth Prices starting as low as $579-$990 per day with daily cleaning help!, who would go back to a hotel ever again! VIP Jerusalem Hospitality ad Jerusalem Vacation Rentals was established with the sole purpose of providing five-star Jerusalem apartment rentals in mamilla and VIP services in Jerusalem . We create American-style service in the heart of Jerusalem. Our travel and Jerusalem vacation rentals services are unparalleled in providing the perfect accommodations as well Luxury apartment rentals in Jerusalem, as per the visitor’s requirements, and we always striv

Jewish History Scholar to Receive Rare Honor From Brandeis

WALTHAM, Mass. ( JTA ) – Brandeis will recognize Jonathan Sarna, an eminent scholar of American Jewish history, as university professor — the highest honor for a faculty member and an award given to only a handful of others. To mark the occasion Sarna, the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun professor of American Jewish history and an award-winning author of more than 30 books, will deliver a lecture on Tuesday titled “Jews and American Politics: Historical Ideals and Contemporary Realities.” Hundreds of faculty, students, alumni, university officials, and family and friends are expected to fill the historic Spingold Theater on the Boston-area campus to hear Sarna, who began teaching at Brandeis in 1990. His talk will reveal a newly discovered 1864 document, according to an announcement by the un

Why So Many African-American Pro Basketball Players Love Israel

NEW YORK ( JTA ) — Chris Watson played four standout years of basketball at Niagara University, where he became one of the upstate New York school’s all-time leading scorers. So when the 6-7 forward-center went undrafted by an NBA team in 1997, he set out to play on a professional level internationally. He played two years in Uruguay, then his agent called and said, “You’re going to Israel.” Watson, an African-American from suburban White Plains — who in his own words did not grow up “watching the news” — said at the time he knew “nothing at all” about the Jewish state. That quickly changed, and Watson stayed in Israel for more than 15 years, playing for several teams. He also married an Israeli woman, became an Israeli citizen and converted to Judaism. As David A. Goldstein details in his

Great Shlock Rock Interview with Lenny Solomon

Shlock Rock has played more than 2,000 concerts worldwide, including in all 50 American states • Will the musical "Daniel in Babylon" be the next "Joseph"? • Host Steve Ganot speaks with musician Lenny Solomon about Shlock Rock and the Four Corners Project. [caption id="attachment_561358" align="alignnone" width="1600"] OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA[/caption] Shlock Rock is a Jewish Rock Band that teaches Jewish ideas through music using song parodies, original music in both English and Hebrew and children’s songs. Lenny Solomon started the ball rolling in 1986 and since then the band has released more than 30 amazing albums! Our mission is to encourage Jewish pride, identity and awareness and help promote Jewish continuity through music. Shlock Rock has performed over 2,000 shows in the United S

$1 Million Donated By Holocaust Survivor to This Worthy Cause

( JTA ) — A French Holocaust survivor has donated $1 million for relief programs for U.S. veterans to thank American troops for saving his life during World War II. Bernard Darty, 83, announced over the weekend that he would donate the money to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Services for Armed Forces program of the American Red Cross to help the vets, especially those affected by the recent devastating hurricanes that hit the United States. Darty’s family moved from Poland to France in 1939 to escape the Nazis. In 1942 his father went into hiding, but his mother was arrested during a roundup of Jews and sent to Auschwitz, where she died. For the next two years he was hidden by families living on the outskirts of Paris, as were his siblings and his future wife, Paulette. “I vividly rem

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VIP Jerusalem Vacation Rentals The future of luxury travel in Jerusalem is here! Hotels aren’t in anymore! VIP Jerusalem offers large 3-4 bedroom apartments in some of Jerusalem's most luxurious locations throughout the city. WIth Prices starting as low as $579-$990 per day with daily cleaning help!, who would go back to a hotel ever again! VIP Jerusalem Hospitality and Jerusalem Vacation Rentals was established with the sole purpose of providing five-star Jerusalem apartment rentals in mamilla and VIP services in Jerusalem . We create American-style service in the heart of Jerusalem. Our travel and Jerusalem vacation rentals services are unparalleled in providing the perfect accommodations as well Luxury apartment rentals in Jerusalem, as per the visitor’s requirements, and we always stri

Hundreds of Venezuelan Jews Gather to Learn About Jewish Culture

( JTA ) — Some 700 Venezuelan Jews participated in the first Limmud Jewish learning and culture event in Caracas, over 10 percent of the country’s Jewish population. The Limmud program on Sunday included tracks for children and teens. “It was thrilling to see grandparents, grandchildren, young adults, students, Sephardim, Ashkenazim, secular, religious, people from every part of the community streaming in,” Anabella de Jaroslavsky, a member of the Limmud Caracas steering group, said in a statement. Some 5,000 to 6,000 Jews live in Venezuela in a total population of 29 million. An estimated 20,000 Jews lived in the Latin American country in 1999, but many have immigrated to Israel, Miami and Spain because of ongoing political, economic and personal security challenges. The daylong Limmud pr

This Jewish Thanksgiving Tradition Dates Back to 1789

When George Washington announced the first national Thanksgiving in 1789, he called for all Americans to gather in their houses of worship, and to thank God for Independence. A group of Jewish New Yorkers heeded that call and gathered at Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue that still stands on Manhattan’s Mill Street, where they held history’s first Jewish Thanksgiving service . Gershom Mendes Seixas , the hazzan and religious leader of the synagogue—and the country’s first native-born Jewish leader, to boot—delivered a “Discourse” on the subject of Thanksgiving. Seixas said that it was “incumbent on Jews…to be more circumspect in our conduct—inasmuch as we are this day, living examples of His Divine Power and Unity.” Given that Jews, forever maligned and iso

7 Jews Who Have Made a Deep Impact on life in America

( JTA ) — When Natalie Portman was named the 2018 winner of the $1 million Genesis Prize, known as the “Jewish Nobel,” it was in part an acknowledgement of her Israeli roots. While the Oscar-winning actress mostly grew up in the United States, Portman — née Herschlag — is also Israeli. Her father, Avner Herschlag, grew up in Israel, and her mother married him there. The family moved to the U.S. when she was 3. Portman’s facility with Hebrew was on display when she directed and starred in the Hebrew-language film “Tale of Love and Darkness,” based on the book by Israeli writer Amos Oz . She earned the Genesis Prize for “her commitment to social causes and her deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli roots,” said Stan Polovets, the Genesis Prize Foundation chairman. Portman is far from the

This Jewish Woman Just Won a 'Jewish Nobel' Prize for Lifetime Achievement

Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaking to the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington, D.C., Nov. 11, 2016. (Bob Jacob/Cleveland Jewish News) JERUSALEM ( JTA ) — The Genesis Prize Foundation awarded U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg its first lifetime achievement award. The foundation, which sponsors the annual $1 million Genesis Prize known as the “Jewish Nobel,” in its announcement Wednesday praised Ginsburg’s “groundbreaking legal work in the field of civil liberties and women’s rights.” The five recipients of the Genesis Prize selected Ginsburg, 83, for the honor. In addition to this year’s winner , actress Natalie Portman, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, violinist Itzhak Perlman and sculptor Anish Kapoor weighed

New Blood Pressure Guidelines Released

Dr. Mehmet Oz reminds each of us to eat well and exercise. On his show yesterday, he reviewed the newest blood pressure recommendations just released this week. See HERE for more info. The guidelines were published in two journals — Hypertension and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Empire recalls 5 tons of contaminated kosher chicken breasts

The assembly line at Empire Kosher Poultry’s plant in central Pennsylvania is the largest kosher one of its kind in America, with 240,000 chickens and 27,000 turkeys passing through every week. (Uriel Heilman) ( JTA ) — Empire Kosher Poultry is recalling approximately five tons of raw poultry products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, including metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced . The department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a statement about the recall Friday, adding that the suspected contamination at the Pennsylvania-based factory — one of the largest producers of kosher poultry in North America — may have introduced metals into the products feared affected. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of t

Two Jewish Women Karate Win Ruling for Missing Tryouts in Observance of High Holidays

Illustrative photo above of Jewish women practicing karate moves Two American women karate champions, both denied places on the United States amateur Karate team for refusing to participate on tryouts scheduled for Rosh Hashanah, have won federal court orders that they be accepted as full team members. Leo Sukenik of New York City and Pam Glaser of Newton, Mass. both had advised the Karate Association that, as observant Jews, they could not join the tryouts. Because both were national title winners, they were told they would be given special consideration for membership. The U.S. team will go to Taiwan for the international championship competition November 27-28. But the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which runs the team, refused to abide by the promise and the two women champions took the

Meet the Famous Israelis Shaking up 'Silicon Valley'

From left to right: Yuval Machlin, Kfir Eyal, Daniel Shaked and Alon Matas in front of Plug n’ Play, a Silicon Valley incubator in SIlicon Valley where they all work. All have been in California for different lengths of time, but all talk about returning to Israel someday. (Ben Sales) SAN FRANCISCO ( JTA ) — When he brings Israeli entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley, Gili Ovadia gives them a list of what not to do. Don’t interrupt. Don’t yell. Don’t condescend to the marketing team. Don’t show up late. Don’t leave typos in your emails. It still takes them a while, said Ovadia, before they understand how Americans work. “Whenever I talk to Israeli companies, I say if you want to succeed [in tech], get your suit and come here,” said Ovadia, who heads the Israeli government’s economic and trade o

WATCH: US Ambassador Nikki Haley Should Become Our Next President!

Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the UN, addressed the Israeli American Council National Conference in Washington, DC and promised that the “cowardly act” of allowing passage of Resolution 2334, which labelled Israel a violator of international law, was “an act of betrayal [that] would never happen again.”

Zubin Mehta’s 5 most memorable moments with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Zubin Mehta conducting the Israel Philharmonic Orchesta at the Moscow Conservatory, Jan. 21, 2002. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images) ( JTA ) — When Zubin Mehta kicks off a tour of North American cities at New York’s Carnegie Hall on Wednesday night, it won’t be his last performances with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra — but it will be close. The legendary conductor announced last December that he will step down from his post as music director in October 2019, exactly 50 years after he first became officially affiliated with the ensemble. This is one of Mehta’s last big tours with the orchestra, and it is likely his last through North America (the IPO will not travel to the U.S. in 2018). As such, the maestro will be feted at gala dinners in several tour stops, including New York, Tor

Even Jimmy Fallon Loves Israeli Chocolate - Gal Gadot Introduces America to the joy of Israeli pop Rocks Chocolate.

Last week Israeli actress and all-around superwoman Gal Gadot went on the The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon while she was in New York appearing on Saturday Night Live . Jimmy Fallon had discovered she had never tasted a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and so challenged her to try one. Gal Gadot’s response? Time for Jimmy Fallon to try out some Israeli pop rocks chocolate — you know, that kind that crackles in your mouth when you eat it. No surprise, he loved it, and they shared with the audience the unique crackling pop sounds the chocolate makes. Watch the full clip below, and if you’re suddenly craving some Mekupelet , Krembos or other treats, here are some of our favorite Israeli gourmet chocolates to enjoy . You can also find Elite chocolate bars in most major grocery stores in the Kosher

Publisher apologizes for nursing textbook that stereotypes Jews and others

( JTA ) — The Pearson education publishing company has apologized for a section of one of its nursing textbooks that claims Jews are often “[v]ocal and demanding of assistance” during medical treatment. The page from “Nursing: A Concept-Based Approach to Learning” drew widespread ire on social media for its descriptions of how Jews, Asians, blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and “Arabs/Muslims” respond to pain. Blacks, for example, “often report higher pain intensity” and believe “suffering and pain are inevitable,” the page reads. Hispanics may “believe that pain is a form of punishment,” it continues. The section also noted that Jews “believe that pain must be shared and validated by others.” Pearson issued an apology to the website Mic on Thursday. “While differences in cultural attitu

One of the strongest Jews in history is selling his Olympic gold medal

( JTA ) — Weightlifter Isaac Berger is considered one of the best featherweights in American history. The New Yorker, whose father was a rabbi in Israel, was a two-time world champion and an eight-time national champion. He broke several world records in his weight class (maximum of about 132 pounds) and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. At the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Burger took home the silver after losing a historic 10-hour battle to Yevgeny Minayev — one that ended at 4 in the morning. Unsurprisingly, he called the 1956 victory his most memorable Olympic experience. Now the 80-year-old champion is auctioning off his gold medal. As of Monday, the current bid in an online auction run by Leland’s was $6,278. Isaac Berger’s gold medal from the 1956 Olympics

Are Leftist Anti Jewish? Rabbi Forced to Apologize for Fiery Sermon

( JTA ) — A rabbi at a suburban Atlanta synagogue apologized for a Rosh Hashanah sermon after congregants complained that he appeared to cast the American left as inimical to the Jews. “The great threat that we face as Americans and as Jews comes not from the ‘alt-right’ but from the alt-left,” Rabbi Shalom Lewis said last month in a High Holidays address to Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta, Georgia. “Some are violent, rampaging criminals, others wear suits and ties, jeans and T-shirts. Some make no pretense of their disdain for America while others appear loyal citizens. Their tactics are different but their goals are the same.” Lewis, who stepped down as senior rabbi this year after serving the Conservative congregation since 1977, named the Women’s March, Black Lives Matter and the LG

Watch Robert Kraft and NFL Hall of Famers visit Israel

Robert Kraft, center, with Marshall Faulk, right, and, in rear, from left, Ron Yary, Roger Staubach and Dave Casper, June 15, 2017. (Hillel Kuttler) ( JTA ) — As they step off the charter bus in Tel Aviv, you might confuse them for just another American tour group — if not for the yellow Hall of Fame jackets and all those Super Bowl rings. In July, Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner and celebrated Jewish philanthropist , led a high-profile pilgrimage: He brought 18 National Football League Hall of Famers (and their spouses!) by private jet to Israel for a weeklong goodwill mission. Like any dedicated tourists, they took plenty of video — which the rest of us can now get to see. At 8 p.m. Friday, the NFL Network will premiere “ Touchdown in Israel, ” a one-hour special as part of

Kudos to YU Students Who Helped Thousands Celebrate Simcha Torah!

This Simchat Torah, more than 160 Yeshiva University students traveled to 39 communities across North America to share their love of Torah and enliven holiday celebrations as part of the Aaron and Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours. As they delivered shiurim [lectures], led engaging programming for children and community members, and brought their passion and enthusiasm to the holiday’s hallmark dancing with sifrei Torah, students gained insight into each community’s unique way of life, opportunities and challenges, making new friends and sharing eye-opening leadership experiences. “Torah Tours is both an opportunity to share the richness of the YU education and spirit with communities as well as a chance for our students’ holiday experiences to be enriched by the breadth and depth of Jewish li

New Series Gives an Intimate Look at Frum Family Moving to Montana in the Name of Kiruv

THE RABBI GOES WEST offers an intimate documentary portrait of Chaim Bruk, a young and charismatic Hasidic rabbi from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who moved to Bozeman, Montana, to bring his Orthodox Judaism to the American West. To celebrate his love for his adopted state, Chaim is on a mission to place a Mezuzah, an encased prayer offering, on the doorpost of every Montana Jew. That’s 1300 Jews in a state 14 times larger than Israel. With his Hasidic family--a wife and four adopted children--Chaim finds himself accepted, a local celebrity, in the cowboy land of “live and let live.” But he meets resistance from other Montana rabbis, Reform and Conservative. They believe that his Mezuzah campaign is a ruse to move their congregants to his Chabad synagogue, and they charge that his type of Hasi

A female Israeli Combat Soldier Proudly Models for Weapons Companies

TEL AVIV ( JTA ) — When it comes to women posing with firearms, the United States is fully loaded. Lithe models can be found showing off weapons at gun shows, in rifle magazines and on dedicated social media pages . Orin Julie may look like just another “ gun bunny ,” as such models are sometimes called, but she is the industry’s secret weapon. She is a former Israeli combat soldier who is trained to discharge the weapons she poses with. “I don’t stand around in swimwear,” she said in an interview at the office of her Tel Aviv modeling agency. “I know how to hold guns, how to shoot, how to do combat stuff — and Americans appreciate that.” Julie’s military background has helped her stand out as a weapons model and win a following of legions of American gun enthusiasts. But the reception to

WATCH: Actor Adam Sandler Making A Blessing On The Lulav & Esrog

The following is VIA JewishBreakingNews.com American actor, comedian, screenwriter, film producer, and musician, Adam Sandler, was seen with his daughter making a blessing on the lulav and esrog at a Chabad stand. Sandler is best known for being a Saturday Night Live cast member where he became a featured actor making a name for himself by performing amusing original songs on the show, including “The Chanukah Song”. Sandler told Conan O’Brien on The Tonight Show that NBC fired him and Chris Farley from the show in 1995. Sandler went on to star in many Hollywood feature films that combined have grossed over $2 billion at the box office. He is best known for his comedic roles, such as in the films Billy Madison. Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer. Sandler was born in Brooklyn

Top-ranked Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela leaves match early for Yom Kippur

( JTA ) — The World Series is weeks away, but an Israeli tennis pro has conjured memories of Sandy Koufax. Dudi Sela, his nation’s top-ranked male player, quit his quarterfinals match Friday in the third set of a Chinese tournament so he could begin observing Yom Kippur by the time the sun set. Sela, ranked 77th in the world, was tied at a set apiece with Alexander Dolgopolov of Ukraine at the Shenzhen Open when he realized the match would likely not finish by the start of the holiday. The sports website Vavel reported that tournament organizers refused Sela’s request to have the match played earlier in the day. The failure to advance cost the 32-year-old veteran a possible $34,000 in prize money. Meanwhile, in American college football, the long snapper for the University of Nebraska will

3 Sweet and Simple Cocktails to Drink in the Sukkah

Festive occasions deserve only the finest mixed drinks, but not everyone likes playing bartender for hungry friends and relatives — especially when the upcoming holiday season stretches over three weeks and multiple meals. Here are a few crowd-pleasing cocktails that are sweet, festive and total crowd pleasers for the New Year. Classic Sangria with Apples and Citrus Sangria is the ideal party drink— inexpensive, festive and serves a lot of people— and also provides an elegant way to utilize wine brought by guests that isn’t quite good enough to take its own place on your table (or that doesn’t suit your palate). How to make this crowd pleaser seasonally relevant? Replace the sugar with honey or pomegranate molasses You can use an Israeli liquor such as the citric Tubi 60 or an American spi

How Jews around the world break the Yom Kippur fast

NEW YORK ( JTA ) — After weary and ravenous American Jews file out of Yom Kippur services, many return home to a similar meal each year to break the fast: typically bagels, lox and assorted accoutrements. For some, it’s an anticipated and tasty tradition. But for others, it can be an anticlimactic end to a day of repentance and hunger. They can look to Jews in many other countries who shun the same old appetizing platter to break their Day of Atonement fasts. Want to switch things up a little this year? Here are some recipes to try. Morocco Harira (Rui Ornelas/Flickr) Harira is a Moroccan soup that usually includes chickpeas, lentils, rice or noodles, egg, tomatoes and a variety of other vegetables — and, sometimes, meat. It is an interfaith recipe: Sephardic Jews make it for Yom Kippur, M

Ohad Drives Us Down Memory Lane - Carpool KaraOYke!

Join Radio host, MC and music maven Yossi Zweig as he drives around with superstar Ohad! Moskowitz discusses his career of over 16 years. Find out how many languages Ohad! Really speaks, what he thinks of Israeli bands vs American bands, some fun stories about singing with Avraham Fried and of course some singing. Sponsored by: Meal Mart - https://www.instagram.com/meal_mart/ Video by: Neuman Media Studios Transportation by: Quality Leasing & Collision

"The Alliance Between America and Israel has Never Been Stronger, Never Been Deeper." - Prime Minister Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks at the start of his meeting today in New York City with US President Donald Trump.. "I want to say that under your leadership, the alliance between America and Israel has never been stronger, never been deeper. I can say this in ways in people see and in ways that they don't see. So I want to thank you for that. Equally, I look forward to discussing with you how we can address together what you rightly called is the terrible nuclear deal with Iran and how to roll back Iran's growing aggression in the region, especially in Syria. As you said, we will discuss the way we can seize the opportunity for peace between Israel and the Palestinians and between Israel and the Arab world, I think these things go together and we look forward

This Orthodox Jewish Man is Trying to Get Amazon to Move to Monsey, NY

Amazon HQ2 will be Amazon’s second headquarters in North America. We expect to invest over $5 billion in construction and grow this second headquarters to include as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs – it will be a full equal to our current campus in Seattle. In addition to Amazon’s direct hiring and investment, construction and ongoing operation of Amazon HQ2 is expected to create tens of thousands of additional jobs and tens of billions of dollars in additional investment in the surrounding community.

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Shmuel and Barbara Goldin on their Aliyah!

Mazal tov to Rabbi Shmuel and Barbara Goldin on their Aliyah today! Rabbi Goldin has been the spiritual leader over the past 33 years of the extremely vibrant Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ and a shining example among Jewish leadership in North America. Rabbi and Mrs. Goldin landed today and will be residing in Jerusalem. Recognizing that Zionism and the passion for it need reinvigoration, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin will be serving as Senior Scholar for Nefesh B’Nefesh working with Rabbis and the Diaspora Jewish communities to help restore some of that passion. The goal is to try to answer the question, What does it mean to be a Zionist and still be in the Diaspora, for now. “It is natural for the passion over generations to have dissipated. We remember the 6-Day War, the birth of th

A Beautiful Lesson on Gratitude from the Parsha - Rabbi Moshe Scheiner, Rabbi of The Palm Beach Synagogue, Florida

Beautiful idea from this week's Parsha, Parshat Ki Tavoh.. Rabbi Moshe E. Scheiner was born and raised in Brooklyn. He holds a Masters degree of Talmudic studies and Jewish philosophy from the Rabbinical College of America. He completed a two year internship at the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand, and returned to New York to receive his rabbinic ordination at the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva. He has lectured to communities in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Colombia and other communities throughout South America and the United States. In 1994 he became the founding Rabbi of the Palm Beach Synagogue. He also founded the Ethel & Eugene Joffe Maimonides Leadership Institute for post Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Rabbi Scheiner resides in Palm Beach with his Rebbetzin,

The BEST Luxury Vacation Rentals in Jerusalem....Period!

THE BEST LUXURY VACATION RENTALS in Jerusalem...Period! VIP Jerusalem Hospitality, The Best Luxury Rentals in Jerusalem brings you the best of both worlds. After researching for the best company for vacation rentals in Jerusalem we found the winner: www.vip-jerusalem.com With amazing apartments in the Holy Land coupled with American service they aim to help you make your next vacation a memorable one! Whether you are looking for an apartment, private home or Villa we can take care of you. VIP-Jerusalem is the premier choice for luxury rentals around the city! Backed by American customer service and staff, they will make sure your next visit is a memorable one. After many years of serving vip's from all over the world, They are looking forward to continuing to serve you and make your next t

Words From the Heart of a Proud Israeli Father..

Words from the heart... Please read.. This time of the year I see many posts from friends moving their children into college or sending them off to a gap year in Israel. It's an exciting time that is pregnant with promise and possibility. Last night I had a similar experience when I moved my oldest daughter out of the house into her new apartment in Yerushalayim. She isn't going to college though. Avigayil is doing a year of Sherut L'uemi, a year of national service. Her entire graduating high school class is either serving in the army or volunteering this year. Giving back to your country is a value ingrained in teenagers in Israel. I always challenge my American Jewish students why it is that because of an accident of birthplace, Israeli teenagers feel a sense of responsibility to servic

Nefesh B’nefesh Considers Name Change Following Shabbos Shul Incident

Warning: The Following is Satire and Written by Esteemed Staff Writer: Zaydee Gaga Nefesh B’Nefesh, a North American organization which, in partnership with the Jewish Agency and other Israeli groups and foundations has helped 50 000 people make aliya in the past 15 years, has scheduled an urgent meeting for later this week following an incident in a Queens shul on Shabbos. One of the organization’s board members was visiting the shul to celebrate the bar mitzva of a relative. After the Torah reading, a shul member recognized the Nefesh B’Nefesh representative and wished him mazal tov. He then added, “May I ask you a Nefesh B’Nefesh related question?” The visitor politely replied, “Of course.” The shul member continued, “The bar mitzva boy read the Torah portion beautifully, including the

Is Jay - Z Anti Semetic? He Claims ‘Context is everything’

( JTA ) — Jay-Z defended his decision to include a lyric in a song on his latest album that has been called anti-Semitic, saying he exaggerated images of black people in the same song. The rapper was discussing his song “The Story of O.J,” which appears on his “4:44” album, during an interview with the Rap Radar podcast last week. The song lyric says: “You wanna know what’s more important than throwin’ away money at a strip club? Credit / You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This is how they did it.” Following the release of the album, the Anti-Defamation League expressed concern about the lyric, but emphasized it did not believe Jay-Z intended to promote anti-Semitism. The ADL said that “we know that Jay-Z is someone who has used his celebrity in the past to