The Jewish Week | Features

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Street Torah | Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Jewish Apology to the World

At this time of year, it is common for many of us to pick up our phones and send emails apologizing to others for the ways that we wronged them in the past year. In addition to doing personal repentance (teshuva), Rav Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, explained that we as a people (Knesset Yisrael) must also do teshuva. How do we, as a nation, ask the nations of the world for forgiveness?

A woman, does Tashlich along the Tel Aviv beach.
Lens | Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Casting Of Thousands

Depending how you look at it, the fish off the coast of Israel are the world’s best fed, or the most sin-bearing, this time of year.

On Rosh HaShanah, the start of the Jewish Year, one of the most-observed traditions, next to hearing the shofar and eating a piece of apple dipped in honey, is Tashlich, the symbolic throwing away of one’s sins.

On the afternoon of the first day of Rosh HaShanah — day two if day one is Shabbat — Jews head to the nearest body of water, carrying small pieces of bread that are thrown into the water.

OU’s Michael Rosner: Recent Job Fair was “heartbreaking.”
A New York Minute | Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Recession’s Impact On Orthodox Community

As part of its work with unemployed members of the Jewish community, the Orthodox Union has held several job fairs — some in person, some via webinars — in the last few years. The latest one, held in late August at Brooklyn College Hillel, drew more than 700 men and women, along with representatives of 40 firms.

Through online courses, career counseling, a resumé updating service, and positions posted on an RSS feed on OU.org, the OU’s Job Board says it has placed thousands of candidates in “meaningful jobs” in the United States and Israel.

The author with his granddaughter at ceremony in Frankfurt marking the placement of a memorial to his grandmother.
First Person | Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Seeing Germany Through My Granddaughter’s Eyes

My 24-year-old granddaughter, Nira, born and raised on a moshav in southern Israel, and now studying genetics in Raleigh, N.C., has for some time been asking to accompany me and discover my “roots” in Germany. I know her well enough to appreciate that she didn’t just want a “fun” trip, and so she came with me in June on what has become my annual visit to Reinheim, my hometown in Germany south of Frankfurt, in the state of Hessen, where I am an honorary citizen.

Campus Confidential | Friday, September 3, 2010
Back to School Campus Roundup

Young Jews across the country are leaving the careful watch of their parents this month and returning to their various campuses. For this year’s freshmen, Oreos have always been kosher, McDonald’s has always served bagels, and the Soviet Union is just another chapter in history textbooks.