Tomatoes

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bicycles

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shalom Yisrael

We Will Dance Again - Thank You Boy George!

Shoes Missing Person

 

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Cube Animals

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

From Freebies to Control: The Mechanics of the Mamdani Agenda

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "From Freebies to Control: The Mechanics of the Mamdani Agenda."

Rooted in the grit of New York immigrant life and the timeless wisdom of Jewish tradition, true compassion is not found in state-mandated dependency, but in the fierce commitment to building human self-sufficiency. While political figures like Zohran Mamdani and the DSA offer the dangerous allure of "free" handouts—converting basic human survival into political leverage and bundling state reliance with a radical anti-Western agenda—this strategy ultimately degrades personal dignity and paralyzes actual progress. The higher path, championed by Maimonides and the hard-won American dream, demands that we empower the individual through work, education, and opportunity rather than comforting them in poverty. We must reject the seductive trap of a political machine that trades freedom for control, choosing instead to give struggling families the dignity of a future over the false promise of a freebie.

(AI generated image)

Teepee

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

She Got Chic

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Candle Lighting

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bird of Paradise Flower

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Old City Jerusalem

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Jews Never Quit

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Jews Never Quit."

Throughout Jewish history, every generation has faced challenges that seemed impossible to overcome, yet the Jewish people have endured by adapting, rebuilding, and remaining faithful to their mission. From Moshe’s lessons in Devarim to Job’s unwavering faith, Judaism teaches that perseverance does not mean avoiding hardship—it means continuing forward despite it. Today, as Israel faces security challenges and Jews worldwide confront rising antisemitism and shifting alliances, the answer remains the same: we adjust, strengthen ourselves, and continue. The Jewish people have survived because we never surrender our hope, our values, or our determination to build the future.

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Legs Crossed

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Umbrella in Bottle

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Belgium Chocolate Cake

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Handbags and Wallets: Blue, Pink, or Black

  

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Goldfish Swim

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

There Is Still Time Today to Make Yesterday Jealous

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "There is Still Time Today to Make Yesterday Jealous."

Inspired by an Uber driver’s profound phrase to "make yesterday jealous," the author reflects on how individuals can overcome the heavy, lingering burdens of past hardships. This mindset aligns closely with the Jewish tradition of teshuvah, which emphasizes that people are defined by their present choices and can actively repurpose past mistakes into fuel for renewal. Modern neuroscience reinforces this spiritual concept through neuroplasticity, demonstrating that the adult brain physically rewires its circuits every time a person chooses a new, constructive behavior over an old pattern. Ultimately, embracing this perspective acts as a disciplined resilience against despair, proving that we are not prisoners of what has been but are entirely capable of shaping our time and destiny.

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Be Yourself

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Breakdancing One Hand

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Green and Orange Flower

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dragon Art

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Downtime = Clean Up Time

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Abyss Taught Me That Connection Is Everything

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Abyss Taught Me That Connection Is Everything." 

A terrifying dream of being cut off from everyone and everything I love became a powerful meditation on what it means to belong. Through the ideas of karet, exile, and Zion, I came to see that the deepest human fear is not pain but disconnection from G-d, from people, and from purpose. The dream also reminded me that life is meant for relationship: to cleave, to build, to return, and to create continuity rather than isolation. In the end, it left me with a renewed gratitude for belonging and a deeper conviction that connection is what makes life meaningful.

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Happy USA 250

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Doggy Driver

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

"זן נדיר" (We Are a Rare Breed) By Corinne Allal

We fear our own shadow

We cling to the walls of the houses
And most of the time are ashamed of our bodies
Digging bomb shelters

We are fleeing from a crazy party
Pushing our way into rowboats
Every dry land is a sinking ship
When digging bomb shelters

We are a rare breed
A strange bird
Dreams in the air
Head in the ground

We deceive mostly ourselves
Not blind but we do not look
And it’s unclear what we will leave behind
Except for the fears

We are a rare breed
A strange bird
Dreams in the air
Head in the ground

Bull Head

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)