We’re All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "We're All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers."

A synagogue set aside a special kiddush table for teens, clearly announced and even humorously “guarded” to keep it reserved for them. Despite this, one adult ignored the boundary and took food from the teen table, highlighting a gap between stated standards and personal behavior. Although the individual was known for criticizing others, no one confronted him, reflecting a conscious choice to avoid embarrassment or retaliation. The episode ultimately became a lesson in restraint, humility, and the Jewish values of not taking revenge or bearing a grudge.

(AI generated photo via ChatGPT)

We’re All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers

Know Before Who You Stand

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Know Before Who You Stand

Nickle A Shtickel

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Nickle A Shtickel

Two Passover Experiences: Precision vs. Passion

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Two Passover Experiences: Precision vs. Passion."

This Passover, I experienced two contrasting experiences: a strictly Orthodox seder marked by meticulous ritual precision—down to timed matzah portions and hand signals for completion—but lacking communal joy, and a vibrant Conservative synagogue service filled with song, welcoming families, and a delightful matzah pizza kiddush despite halachic deviations. The Orthodox seder honored every mitzvah with sincerity, yet felt at times burdensome and subdued, exemplified by silent, clock-watched eating. In contrast, the synagogue emphasized community warmth, inspiring sermons with handouts, and active participation from children and adults alike. Both approaches hold value—perfect halacha and b’simcha must coexist—but ritual should never overshadow the heart’s delight in serving Hashem.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Two Passover Experiences: Precision vs. Passion

Torah, Prayer, and Good Deeds

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Torah, Prayer, and Good Deeds

Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!"

At a lively Sephardic kiddush, I grabbed what I thought were delicious meatballs, only to be told by a spirited older lady that they were actually fish balls. Our debate got unexpectedly heated, with her insisting she knew best—after all, she’d been to every synagogue dinner. Lesson learned: never argue with a seasoned congregant about kiddush food, and maybe steer clear of the fish balls!

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!

Creation Day 6

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Creation Day 6

Shul BBQ

 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shul BBQ

Sukkot, I Will Miss You

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sukkot, I Will Miss You."

A few things happened so far this Sukkot that brought to my mind and heart the human element of the holiday period. The focus is often on the sukkah, but we also need to remember the community and connection of the people who are in the sukkah together.

(AI generated image via Designer)

Sukkot, I Will Miss You

The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d."

Thankfully, nothing terrible happened, but it's these everyday slights and provocations that can really hurt our feelings and end up pushing us away from G-d and Judaism.

However, I realized that G-d sends me certain encounters so that I can reflect, write about them, and share with you some things that really aren't the Torah way. We all have to deal with difficult people and challenging situations, but fundamentally and always, G-d is all good and wants us to turn to Him despite and even because of these happenstances.

While there is no such thing as hurt, insult, embarrassment, or suffering that is trivial, I hope that G-d will bless us to see past the pain of life and continue to find our way to embrace Him with all our heart, as well as to forgive our neighbors.

(AI Generated Image by Andy Blumenthal)

The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d

Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom."

Jews are well known for their sharp wit, humor, and wisdom, which, of course, is thanks to the blessings bestowed on His people by Hashem. In the article I share some recent Jewish tidbits.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom

Synagogue Politics

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Synagogue Politics."

Clearly, the mobile sanctuary and later the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and now our synagogues are “Houses of G-d,” where we go to pray, learn Torah, and worship Him, and where He resides among us.  Sure, G-d is everywhere, but the synagogue/Temple is a unique, special, and spiritual place where we as community dedicate ourselves to G-d and worship Him. It should go without saying that the synagogue is not a place for petty politics, protests, or other antics.

As Jews, we are supposed to make a “Kiddush Hashem” (sanctification of G-d’s name) and not Chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d), and so my hope and prayer is that people in this synagogue and in every synagogue, can “let go” and instead “let G-d.”

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Image for Illustration Only)

Synagogue Politics

Not Terror But Hugs

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Not Terror But Hugs."

While standing up for the Torah to be brought back to the ark, a little boy comes up to me and just gives me a big hug. I learned afterwards that the boy “makes the rounds” in shul giving everyone a beautiful Shabbat embrace. This simple symbolic act of caring and loving others, mainly many older people in synagogue, by this innocent child gave people an uncommon sense of happiness and even hope in our future despite the anti-Semitism and hate of too many others outside.

The love of G-d is our secret for life and for our perseverance throughout history. G-d loves us as His children, but also punishes us as His children. As children, we are always learning and growing, but as adults we have to act in a way of righteousness and holiness, so that we will merit the former, and not the latter. With G-d's mercy and blessings, hopefully, we will have peace in our synagogues and our lives, wherever we reside in the world, to worship and live as Jewish people free of bigotry, hate, and terror, once and for all.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Adapted from L. Krestin)

Not Terror But Hugs

Happy Shabbat!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy Shabbat!

“Rock and Roll” With Chabad

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Rock and Roll With Chabad."

People are often blocked from moving forward by uncertainty, indecision, insecurity, self-doubt, hesitancy, worry, and fear, yet one man, such as Jacob, can stand up and move that big rock off the well if he just sets his mind to it and tries!

The bottom line is that when people say it can’t be done or to wait because it will take an entire village of shepherds to simply move the rock from the well, instead we can see that even one determined person can “rock and roll,” make a difference, and start to make something special and meaningful happen.

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

“Rock and Roll” With Chabad

Jewish Unity Is Strength

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Jewish Unity Is Strength."

It didn’t matter what race or nationality the person who had been hit by the car was, she was a human being in pain and who needed the help of others. We Jews need to remember that this is life in a nutshell. Life can change in split instance for better or G-d forbid, for worse. We need one another. No man is an island. We can’t afford to play holier than thou with anyone else. Only G-d can judge who is really “religious” and who is wanting.

It brought to my mind the irony that with the Jewish people, we are a small minority in the world, and yet we often disagree, fight, and can be intolerant and neglectful of one another despite facing anti-Semitism and other crises. This is far from the ideal of demonstrating love and acceptance, unifying ourselves together, and becoming as strong and effective as a “light unto nations” that we could and should be.

We can have our personal and communal ideals and standards, but at the same time have empathy for the journey that people are on. Therefore, we should strive to treat each other with kindness and tolerance and put aside the lofty and phony airs of personal judgement and exclusivity. Because in the end, no one knows who is laying next on the street waiting for that ambulance to come.

(Credit Painting: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Jewish Unity Is Strength

Tefillin and Talit Bag

This is my new Tefillin and Talit bag for daily morning prayers. 

It even has a beautiful siddur (prayer book) inside and my Hebrew name on the outside. 

I just wanted to thank my wonderful family for this and especially, my son-in-law, Itzchak for ordering this for me from Israel. 

I love it, and thank you guys so much! 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tefillin and Talit Bag

How Hashem Was Found

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "How Hashem Was Found."

This disabled man was then charged with DUI and spent the next 8 1/2 years in prison. But the Rabbi of the prison helped him to find G-d in all this suffering and slowly he returned to his Jewish roots. Now, for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah to all the Jewish people, he was in synagogue, holding his prayer book and receiving the Ten Commandments with the rest of the congregants.

If this man who's body was crushed, leg lost, and who spent so many years in prison could find the good and his way back to Hashem, then there is hope for all of us who can learn, grow, and turn our lives around as well. G-d is there in the darkness and in the light, and we have to find Him and believe.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

How Hashem Was Found

My Wonderful Opa

Remembering my wonderful Opa (grandfather) at Chanukah time. 

He was the President of Congregation Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NYC. 

I used to be so proud of him standing up at the bimah (podium) and giving the Shabbat announcements every week and everything he did to care for the synagogue and community.

Also, I loved to go up and sit next to him by Ark where the holy Torahs are kept. 

He was an exceptional human being, as was his son, my father (and my father's siblings, my Uncle Sid and Aunt Ruth). 

Good to the core people!  People of faith and family!

I miss my Opa and Oma (grandmother) as well as my dear parents very much. 

Like the Chanukah Menorah, they were the light of my upbringing and set me on a path to go forward with my own family. 

Chanukah is a time of miracles and I feel that I have seen them not only in our history, but in our lives today!  ;-) 

My Wonderful Opa

Synagogue or Sickness?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Synagogue or Sickness?"

When I was a kid and my father would {strongly} encourage me to go to synagogue. My father was a man of deep faith and he used to say warningly to me: "It's better to go to synagogue than to the hospital." Obviously, he was implying that if I didn't follow G-d's word, then G-d forbid, he would punish me and instead of going to Shul, I would go to the hospital. Maybe not the best way to teach someone to want to go to prayer services, but I know he meant it out of complete love for me and ultimately for my best.

Yet ironically, now with coronavirus preventing us from practicing the many communal aspects of our faith, so many of us can only but wish that we could just go to synagogue to celebrate the holidays and Shabbat together once again. Unfortunately, for now at least, we don't even have the option to go to synagogue⁠—the choice has been taken from us. G-d willing, hopefully soon, we can once again go⁠—with willingness and love⁠—not only to pray at synagogue, but also to the holy Third Temple in Jerusalem itself.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Synagogue or Sickness?