The Boiling Point

Which Purim Character are You?

March 10, 2020

It’s that time of the year again, when all Jews finally get to wear the discounted costumes they purchased back in November and reminisce in the fabulous ...

ARRIVAL: Newly planted in last year’s wooden planters by the turf fence, an heirloom cherry tomato plant celebrates the holiday of the trees. “I will be starting up the garden on the third floor this Monday, on Tu B’Shvat,” Jacob posted on Schoology Friday morning.

Tu B’shvat: Who grows the fruit?

February 10, 2020

The “new year” of the trees, also referred to as the birthday of the trees or Tu B’shvat, meaning the 15th of Shvat, is coming up this year on Feb.10. You can celebrate it by...

ENDING: As the menorah readies for eight candles at once, it's a good time to consider to manage assimilation versus authenticity during the rest of the year." />

With last candle, thoughts on taking Hanukkah into the rest of the year

December 29, 2019

As Modern Orthodox Jews, we’re all well versed in the practice of combining our authentic selves with who we feel we are supposed to be. We’re constan...

Sukkot Lessons from Kohelet

October 11, 2019

It is custom among Jews of Ashkenazi descent to read Sefer Kohelet, or Ecclesiastes, from the Ketuvim on the Shabbat of Chol Hamoed or Shemini Atzeret....

CONNECTED: In ancient times, Jews came from all over Israel to pray at the temple in Jerusalem. Today, praying there on any day can bring feelings of unity across time.

Shavuot in Jerusalem: Anticipation rewarded, then and now

June 12, 2019

The morning I flew to Israel, I woke up at 6:20 am even though my alarm was not supposed to go off until 7:15. The anticipation boiled through me as I final...

AMERICAN: Jewish History teacher Mr. Jeremy Shine put on an act in which he took on the characteristics of an American. Through using what he understood of Americans, he was able to impersonate them. " />

Purim talent show brought community together with costumes, nerves and cheers

May 14, 2019

Freshman Victory Fuchs sat anxiously in her seat as she waited to be called up to the stage in front of the whole school last month for the Purim Talent...

VIDEO: Shalhevet’s Yom Kippur repenters

September 18, 2018

BLASTS: Rabbi David Block blew the shofar after Shacharit in the main minyan Aug. 31. Rosh Hashanah starts Sunday evening, Sept. 9. Shana tova! BP Photo by Alyssa Wallack. " />

In varying sounds of the shofar, new opportunities and a fresh start

September 9, 2018

Rosh Hashanah is one of my favorite holidays, as it reminds me that I have a new year ahead of me full of new experiences, challenges and successes. It...

The chametz in your closet: Mitzvot of Pesach in an age of freedom

March 28, 2018

There are many things that make the nights of Passover different from all other nights. The classic examples are: On other nights we don’t dip more...

PURIM: At the crossroads of chance and fate

February 28, 2018

Among the five Megillot and the five books of Moses, the story of Esther transcends in complexity and uniqueness. Most women in Chumash and the Scroll...

CELEBRATE: Students, teachers and parents mingled over sushi and salads on the roof Jan. 30 surrounded by platters of fresh fruit. It was the Green Team club's first event.

Under twinkling lights, Green Team offers learning, food from garden and live performances for Tu B’Shvat

February 3, 2018

“The mishnah of Rosh Hashanah says that Tu B’shevat is really a technical day, the day that marks the new year for trees,” Rabbi David Block told...

Slumbering in the sukkah?

October 11, 2017

The Gemara in Masechet Sukkah (Sukkah 28b) explains that the requirement to dwell in the sukkah during Sukkot is to make it a temporary home, which incl...