NEW HAVEN — What do Duke University, the State of Israel and the Knights of Columbus Museum have in common? They have all been fortunate enough to host an extraordinary exhibit of lithographs by Scottish architectural and landscape painter, David Roberts. Roberts spent 11 months traveling… Read more...
In my Baltimore grade school, we learned the mnemonic “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” In Hebrew school, we learned that was the year the Jews were expelled from Spain. Nobody then, however, told us about an ongoing discussion over the years on the connection… Read more...
Hamden native writes humorous book for new dads It is hard to keep a straight face when talking to comedian and author Gary Greenberg - even at 1am (Connecticut time) on a phone interview on the set of “The Jimmy Kimmel Live” Show, where Greenberg is a writer. Greenberg, who grew up in Hamden… Read more...
New Haven actor appeared in “The Sopranos” Actor Bruce Altman has been living in New Haven since 1987, the year he started studying at the Yale School of Drama. He graduated from Yale in 1990. Altman, who also studied in New York City with William Hickey and at the William Esper Studio, has… Read more...
NEW HAVEN - For 50 years, Rabbi Albert Feldman led the Westville Synagogue. So when he decided to retire this year, there were some pretty big shoes to fill. “Last October at our Town Meeting, we identified several traits we would look for in a new rabbi: he must be a halachic authority, able to… Read more...
NEW HAVEN - When Congregation Beth
WOODBRIDGE — When JCC and community members approach the Center Café; for a
Connecticut native writes book about black and Jewish tennis stars Connecticut native Bruce Schoenfeld lived in Stamford from the age of three until he went to college. But even while attending Harvard University and through his years in Memphis, where he worked as a reporter covering baseball, he… Read more...
Members of the Israeli Olympic team and their fans who make the trip to Athens can use the Internet to find a synagogue if they deem it necessary to pray before events and give thanks for the outcome, or to locate some traditional Greek kosher cuisine in Athens. Probably the best place to start is… Read more...
NEW HAVEN — While most members of the Israeli Olympic delegation will return home to Israel once their events are complete, one athlete will go straight to Connecticut. Even if tennis player Anna Pistolesi, currently ranked 18th in the world, makes it to the Olympic finals on Aug. 20, she can… Read more...
New UNH president has big plans for the college Last month, Dr. Steven Kaplan assumed the presidency at the University of New Haven. He was most recently chancellor and professor of English at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Kaplan received his BA in history from the University of… Read more...
NEW BRITAIN — What is the world’s record for the most Jews taking part in a siyyum in the parking lot of a baseball stadium? No one knows for sure. Perhaps the record goes to the 400 campers and counselors from Camp Ramah in New England who listened as business manager Joel Stavsky completed his… Read more...
NEW HAVEN — When Jeremy Jacobson packs for college, he will be taking more than just clothes, bedding, books and photographs of family and friends. The 21-year-old Chevy Chase, Maryland resident will be bringing along two sets of dishes, pots and pans and an illustrated guide to keeping kosher…. Read more...
Outside of Israel, it is nearly impossible to be 100 percent
Asking most Jews about fast days will produce mentions of Yom Kippur, and perhaps Tisha Be’av as well. Not so many know about 17 Tammuz (July 6 this year), which traditionally marks the anniversary of many Jewish calamities. An easy-to-find register of those historical horrors, at… Read more...
WOODBRIDGE — Rabbi Amanda Brodie called Ezra Academy head of school, Shelley Kreiger the minute the group cleared U.S. Customs. That left just enough time for the entire Ezra community to mobilize. Parents cried with joy and excitement as the yellow school bus turned into the Ezra parking lot, now… Read more...
NEW HAVEN — Ruth Juras was one of the lucky ones. A native Berliner, she began to see the writing on the wall. First came a series of
Once upon a time, “You’ve got mail” meant that the postman actually delivered a letter to your home mailbox. I remember the excitement when someone actually sent a letter from a foreign country! Once, my bubbeh gave me an envelope from a distant cousin in Argentina, and a postcard from an aunt from… Read more...
HAMDEN — Norma Grinfeld and Michele Abrams may be the closest things Jewish education in the area has to Ms. Frizzle of “Magic School Bus” fame. Grinfeld, principal of the Mishkan Israel religious school, Abrams, a fifth grade teacher, Rabbi Herbert Brockman and many dedicated parents and temple… Read more...
WOODBRIDGE, CT — Jewish cellist Inbal Megiddo and Syrian pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar will perform in concert as part of the upcoming Yom Haatzmaut celebration at the JCC of Greater New Haven in a program entitled, “Harmony Amidst Discord.” Megiddo and Abboud Ashkar met as participants in the… Read more...