A year or two ago I attended the funeral of a neighbor's father. One of the eulogies described how the kindness, knowledge and experience of the deceased were a model that is gradually being lost as the generation raised in pre-World War II Europe dies out. At the time I thought of my father, now … [Read more...]
Is There Anti-Haredi Discrimination in Elad?
April 28, 2011 by
I spotted this sign in the lobby of an apartment building in the religious city of Elad, on Highway 444 between Rosh Haayin and Shoham. About 15 years ago, when the town was first founded, the government allocated building projects for two sectors: Haredim and national religious, also known as … [Read more...]
Goy Returns Chametz
April 26, 2011 by
Last week I reported on the hametz that was given to a non-Jew by the rabbi. Today Rafi reports that the non-Jew called and offered to return the hametz, and suggests that the whole thing was a setup: Rafi writes: Upon reflection, the rabbi probably told the non-Jew to do this whole thing, … [Read more...]
Goy in Jerusalem Runs Off with Hametz at Start of Passover
April 21, 2011 by
Update: Goy Returns Hametz This amazing story appeared in the Haredi website, Kikar Hashabbat. There is a long-standing custom to sell hametz, the leavened foods forbidden during the Passover holiday. According to the Torah, one can't own any hametz during the week of the holiday. But because … [Read more...]
State of the House, Passover 2011
April 18, 2011 by
What's Wrong with this Picture? The above picture appeared on the cover of Friday's alon, Matzav Haruach. Anyone notice a slight problem? My husband is convinced Israelis don't realize that the holidays are mentioned in the Torah portion of Re'eh in Devarim (Deuteronomy), as well as in Shemot … [Read more...]
Passover Seder in the Israeli Army
April 16, 2011 by
My son won't be home for the Passover seder this Monday. Instead, he'll be leading the seder for about 30 fellow soldiers on his army base. After my son and another soldier (were) volunteered to run the seder on the two neighboring bases, they got to attend a hishtalmut in a nearby city for … [Read more...]
Video: Kasher the Kitchen for Pesach in Two Hours
April 8, 2011 by
One of the things that I missed during shiva was our annual discussion here about Pesach preparations. At least we covered the Pesach babies, and I hope readers will update as they give birth. I wrote a draft on epidurals, and perhaps I will get it out in time for some of you. Kasher Your Kitchen … [Read more...]
Thoughts from the Shiva
April 7, 2011 by
Update: I added one tip at the end. When someone dies people are often unsure what to do and how to help. I just got up from shiva, the week-long mourning period for my father, and I thought it might be useful to record some of my experiences. I appreciated every call, message, visit and offer … [Read more...]
Notes from a Granddaughter
April 1, 2011 by
My niece, Tzipora Wacholder, gave me permission to post her memories of my father, Ben Zion Wacholder z"l. More memories will be shared on the Ben Zion Wacholder z"l memorial page, to be maintained by my niece Shifra. You can send material or links to bzwacholdermemories@gmail.com. My … [Read more...]
Sad News
March 30, 2011 by
I am sorry to report the death of my father, Dr. Ben Zion Wacholder, today in NY. The funeral will take place in New York tomorrow (Wednesday), followed by burial here in Israel on Thursday. Shiva (mourning at home) will be through Wednesday morning. Baruch Dayan Haemet--Blessed is the true judge. … [Read more...]
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