The greatest 20th century leader, who looked eye to eye with the greatest evil of the world at that time and did not blink, understood very well the tactical and strategic danger of lies to open democratic societies. In his typical fashion, Winston Churchill said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth…
“Mom, I have my idea for a mitzvah project,” my 12-year-old son, Levi, exclaims. “But you’ve already done a mitzvah project,” I object. “You’ve been voluntarily running the ‘Clean up the Park’ field trip at the temple preschool for the past seven years. You teach the 4-year- olds all about beautifying our community, giving…
McDowell Village in Scottsdale is like a favorite robe or a warm blanket on a cold day – it makes you feel loved and cared for no matter where you are in your golden years. Allen Honig and his wife Virginia have a unique way of describing their choice to move into this 7-year-old senior-living…
The mere mention of Rosh Hashanah generates a torrent of memories. Whether it is the solemnity of the Jewish New Year, the “official” end of summer and beginning of the school year, or perhaps the culinary customs we grew up with, most Jews will wax poetic with childhood recollections. My most poignant memories center around…
As an experienced clinical child psychologist, I believe the ultimate goal of any parent is to rear an independent, responsible child. While at first glance this may appear obvious, if we observe most parents in action on a day-to-day basis, it becomes evident that many parents have no idea how to achieve this. Most parents never…
With arts funding in most school districts continuing to wither, it’s more important than ever for arts organizations to help fill the void. The Arizona Theatre Company provides programs motivated by its vision to inspire creativity. “My belief is that if you can help young people feel included, if you can help them believe they can…
Twelve years ago, 59-year-old Moshe Bukshpan, a noted violinist from Israel, had a dream to bring the finest quality of classical and jazz music, as well as modern dance, to Arizona. Founder and executive director of the Red Rocks Music Festival, Bukshpan thought of where the best place would be to show not only the beauty…
The short answer to “What is Sukkot?” is “It’s the fall harvest holiday.” But it’s much more than that. Sukkot is symbolic of the Jewish journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. A 40-year journey of wandering, but also one of learning, growing, maturing and understanding. If one understands the geography involved, it’s easy to see…
As the High Holidays get closer, I know summer soon will be over and it’s time to reflect and celebrate the Jewish New Year.. The term Rosh Hashanah appears in the Bible in Ezekiel 40:1 where it means generally the time of the “beginning of the year.” Traditional customs include sounding the shofar and eating…
Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Korchah says, “It is a meritorious deed for a judge to arbitrate a compromise. As it is stated: ‘Execute truth and judgment of peace in your gates.’ [Zechariah 8:16] But where there is judgment, there is no peace. And where there is peace there is no judgment. What is the judgment which…
