Stephen Odzer's first reaction on an overcast autumn day four years ago, when his pager beeped and a call home informed him that a kidnapped Israeli soldier had been killed by Palestinian captors, was to make a small blessing.
"Baruch Dayan Ha-emes," he recited. Blessed is the True Judge: the words traditional Jews say when told of a death.

When it began eight years ago, UJA-Federation’s Fashion Rescue was a sale of women’s clothing in a ballroom of a New York City hotel. This year’s event, which begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, will include the sale of clothing for women, men and children — and will be held in Madison Square Garden.“The event became so huge that we have outgrown just about all available space in New York,” said Robert Bronstein, a co-chair of the event with Louise Chazen.