Every morning, I read the news and see articles about an earthquake, a hurricane, or another natural disaster affecting an area that is struggling to get back on its feet. I often feel a strong desire to jump on a plane to go help. This initial feeling is followed by a reminder of how helpless
I think I did it now for two immediate reasons: one is a particular rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Genack (OU Kosher) from New York and New Jersey, whom I study with regularly. I told him once I wanted to do this and he kept nudging me, so ultimately I did it. >>Read More
Josh Pruzansky, Orthodox Union's New Jersey Regional director of Public Policy, earned applause when he said that every child should be entitled to equal funding. "We live in the highest property taxed state in the USA. Sixty percent of your property tax money is earmarked towards education and goes towards public schools, but very little
Jewish charities receive nearly three-quarters of grants handed out by the Department of Homeland Security to help nonprofit organizations defend themselves from terrorist attacks, according to The Forward, a newspaper that covers Jewish issues. A review by the newspaper found that from 2007 to 2010, 73.7 percent of the 995 awards from the Nonprofit Security
Craig F. Lieberman, founder and president of Woodway Beverage Partners LLC, recently took the reins behind the newest OU Kosher certified iced coffee beverage, Wolfgang Puck's Cold Brewed Iced Coffee. >>Read More
Remembering Avremel (Abe) Zelmanowitz When the terror attack occurred, Avremel was fifty-five; his friend Ed, a quadriplegic, was forty-two. Both worked at Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield as program analysts on the 27th floor of One World Trade Center. By Chavie Zelmanowitz (sister-in-law), as told to Bayla Sheva Brenner On the morning of 9/11, Avremel davened
SHABBAT SHALOM, THE OU TELLS AMERICAN TROOPS, AS IT SENDS 300 MORE NCSY BENCHERS TO KUWAIT, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ AND KOREA The Orthodox Union, which fulfilled a request of military chaplains to provide 300 NCSY Benchers to Jewish troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea for the High Holy Days last year, is now sending 300
OU ANNOUNCES CHALLENGE GRANTS TO SPUR “INNOVATIVE” RESPONSES TO DAY SCHOOL AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGE In response to the Jewish educational affordability challenge confronting Orthodox Jewish families, the Orthodox Union today announced Challenge Grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for up to three-years to develop “innovative and replicable solutions to address day school affordability.” Applications are now
By Batya Graber Bringing more than 1,000 teens together from across North America, Yom NCSY is an annual event where all NCSY summer programs traveling throughout Israel have an opportunity to unite and bond in appreciation for their amazing summer experience. NCSY uses this opportunity to create a venue with VIP status and epic entertainment.
By Dr. Jonathan Gray Sitting amongst some 275 people at the fifth anniversary celebration of one of Ottawa’s most successful and fast-growing Jewish institutions, my mind drifts back another decade or so. As a single man in my early twenties, I started to come to synagogue on Saturday mornings after avoiding the place since my