Tell me about your dinner please…<br>Parshas Tazria-Metzora 5785
“Mommy,” calls my eight year old as he heads down the stairs, “What’s for dinner?” Evidently, a few seconds of foreknowledge makes all the difference when it comes to the dinner menu. “Lasagna, salad, and fresh fruit,” calls back my…
Parshas Tazriah – Metzorah 5785
This coming Shabbat, two portions – Tazriah and Metzorah - will be read in Shul. The main topic of these two portions is the מצורע - “metzorah,” one who is stricken with the malady -צרעת “tzaraat” (or tzaraas). The usual…
The Best Real Estate Investment<br>Parshas Shmini 5785
Owning an apartment building has its challenges. Tenants don’t pay their rent and local governments make it almost impossible to evict them. Plumbing starts getting old and leaks break out everywhere. People trash their apartments causing costly repairs, or leave…
A Trip You Can’t Fit in Your Brain<br>Parshas Vayikra 5785
Due to the Pre-Pesach busyness, I’m sending out a repeat email this week. And while it was written long ago (2015 I believe?) and only edited slightly, the message still rings true and clear, so I hope you enjoy! Have…
Max Naumann’s Folly<br>Parshas Pekudei
Hans-Joachim Schoeps, Heinz Georg Salomon Frank, Max Naumann. These are names of people we were told existed, but had a hard time believing. These are a few of the Jewish supporters of the National Socialist German’s Working Party, also known…
Shabbat HaChodesh 5785
On the last day of the month of Adar some 3,500 years ago, as the first sliver of the new moon signaling the beginning of the new month Nissan appeared, Hashem taught Moshe and Aharon the mitzvah of sanctifying the…
Kids as Accessories<br>Parshas Vayakhel
So few days; so many outfits. What will it be today? Should it be the striped dress by Marc Jacobs with the custom Ferragamo heels? Or perhaps the Armani bubble dress with the Jean Paul Gaultier down coat? Then there’s…
Parshas Vayakhel 5785
This week’s portion Vayakhel follows on the heels of Parshat Ki Tisa, the portion that relates the story of the golden calf. A brief overview of the events leading up to where we are now will give us a greater…