JL;DR

Rabbi Herschel Schacter, a prominent rabbi and communal leader, was a shtadlan - an advocate for Jewish interests with those in positions of authority. In 19...

Dr. Jacob Birnbaum was a prominent advocate for Soviet Jewry in the 1960s. He founded the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (SSSJ), which mobilized students ...

Irving Bunim was a highly influential figure in advancing the cause of Orthodox Jewry in America. Born in Volozhin, he immigrated to New York with his family...

Stephen Klein, a Jewish refugee who fled Austria during the Nazi regime, demonstrated that economic success in America does not preclude Torah observance. He...

Rabbi Joseph Karasick was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to strengthening Orthodox Judaism in the United States and globally. As president of the ...

Zev Wolfson was a unique figure who dedicated his life to philanthropy and lobbying on behalf of Klal Yisrael. He gave away millions of dollars annually in I...

Dr. Marvin Schick, a prominent advocate for Jewish causes, passed away in April 2020. Known for his commitment to integrity and Jewish observance, he played ...

Rabbi Herman Naftali Neuberger, a German Jewish refugee who escaped to the US in 1938, played a significant role in saving and supporting the Persian Jewish ...

This text discusses the life and accomplishments of Elimelech Gavriel (Mike) Tress, a key figure in the Agudah movement in America. Despite being a college g...

Rabbi Moshe Sherer was a key figure in the establishment and growth of Agudath Israel of America. He played a crucial role in addressing various crises faced...

Moses Feuerstein was the president of the Orthodox Union from 1954 to 1966, a time when Orthodox Jewry in America faced many challenges. However, Feuerstein'...

Rabbi Dr. Israel Miller was a prominent figure in the Jewish community, known for his advocacy on behalf of various causes. In a 1988 interview with Mike Wal...

Harold M. Jacobs was a pioneer in American Orthodox leadership, demonstrating that one can maintain a traditional religious lifestyle while actively represen...

In an interview with Rabbi Ezra Friedman, he discusses the mitzvah of shemitah and its observance in the modern age. Shemitah is considered a rabbinic mitzva...

This article discusses the joy of frying during the holiday season, particularly the tradition of making latkes. The author shares a recipe for sweet potato ...

The question of whether a minor can be included in a minyan (a prayer quorum of ten adult male Jews) is a long-standing controversy in Jewish law. The basic ...

In "Places in the Parasha: Biblical Geography and Its Meaning" by Professor Yoel Elitzur, the author explores the geography of the Bible and its connection t...

The first letter discusses the impact of an article on a Chesed program, Bobbies Place, which has led to its expansion into new communities. The second lette...

The author reflects on their decision to pursue a career in law rather than in rabbinics due to their perceived limitations in Talmudic study and the need fo...

This article discusses the challenge of attrition within the Orthodox Jewish community in the United States. While the community is often seen as robust due ...

In this article, the author emphasizes the importance of recognizing and admitting what we don't know. They highlight how saying "I don't know" can demonstra...

NCSY's Jewish Student Union (JSU) is a network of culture clubs for Jewish public school teens in the US and Canada, impacting around 12,000 teens annually. ...

The Covid-19 pandemic has unexpectedly sparked a surge in aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) from North America. Despite a decrease in overall aliyah figu...

This article features two families who made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rosenblatt family, originally from Montreal, are ...

A new online resource called the Aliyah Risk Calculator helps families planning to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) assess their chances of success. Develop...

Nelly Grussgott, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Brooklyn, decided to move into an independent living facility in March 2020 but canceled due to t...

At a roundtable discussion, Jewish experts in career and business building, including Chaya Fishman and Rabbi Zisha Novoseller, discussed opportunities for m...

The Meaningful People Podcast hosts, Yaakov and Eli Langer, have launched Kosher Money, a podcast about personal finance in the Jewish community. In partners...

Parnassah Exchange is a new clearinghouse and connecting point for several Orthodox organizations in the Greater New York area that assist unemployed and und...

Rabbi Naftali Horowitz discusses the importance of living within one's means and the different types of spenders. He explains that living at one's means invo...

Rivka Resnik, an educator from Monsey, New York, has been teaching frum (Orthodox Jewish) students about financial responsibility since 1992. She has develop...

Financial literacy and management is being promoted within the Jewish community to help families overcome debt and achieve financial peace. Rabbi Avraham Shm...

Financial consultants Rifka Lebowitz and Baruch Labinsky discuss the financial aspects of living in Israel for olim (immigrants). Lebowitz highlights the imp...

Israeli financial experts, Rifka Lebowitz and Baruch Labinsky, offer tips for individuals considering aliyah (immigration) to Israel. They advise adjusting e...

The tradition of shaping challah into various forms for Rosh Hashanah originated in Ukraine. The round challah symbolizes long life and Hashem's unity, while...

This article offers tips on how to have an elegant holiday meal on a budget without sacrificing taste or quality. It suggests choosing poultry over red meat ...

The misconception that the first son of a levirate marriage (yibbum) must be named after the deceased husband/brother is not correct. While there is no requi...

In the Fall 2021 issue of Letters, Dr. Joshua Katz argues against the notion that science is inherently flawed, emphasizing that while science is not a subst...

In American Orthodox Jewry, there has been a shift in socioeconomic tensions. Previously, there was a small wealthy minority and a larger middle class with m...

In this article, Rabbi Moshe Hauer explores the importance of thinking big in religious life. While consistency and conscientiousness are critical for spirit...

The author reflects on the importance of self-reflection and examination as the Orthodox Union (OU) looks towards the future. They draw upon the idea that in...

Synagogues in North America, particularly in non-Orthodox movements, have been facing challenges in keeping congregants engaged and financially supporting th...

Stacey Goldman, a Jewish educator and philanthropist, has been inspired to bring her teaching online and reach a wider audience after recording her first shi...

This article highlights various philanthropic events and achievements within the Jewish community. These events include the IVDU Dream Triathlon, which raise...

This article discusses how OU Kosher, the largest kosher certification agency in the world, had to adapt its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensur...

During the height of the pandemic, a distillery in Chicago began producing hand sanitizer for first responders who were having trouble accessing it. When the...

When the Covid-19 pandemic began last year, the Orthodox Union (OU) faced a challenge in supervising a cheese plant in the Midwest. They needed kosher superv...

Rabbi Reuven Nathanson, director of OU Kosher's West Coast Kashruth Division, experienced challenges during the Covid pandemic while visiting American Samoa ...

Rabbi Yisroel Hollander, a senior rabbinical representative of Europe for the OU Kosher organization, has a demanding job that requires him to travel extensi...

Faith is a central aspect of Judaism, but it is often taken for granted and not extensively studied or articulated. Tragic events can force us to question ou...