Sarah Dukes is sure that her comatose husband hears the music she plays for him. The accomplished composer sits at her piano every night, her fingers dancing on the keys as she tries to nudge Rabbi Yehuda (Yudi) Dukes, 38, in the fight of his life, back to health. Her musical compositions reverberate through an […]

Wife and mother of OK Kosher leaders worked with Soviet underground Mrs. Thelma Levy, a feisty and spirited woman known for her wit and her steadfast commitment to her religion and connection with the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—as well as the stalwart force behind her husband, Rabbi Berel Levy, who grew OK […]

A doula and teacher who valiantly fought an auto-immune disease In the book of Exodus, we are first introduced to the prophetess Miriam, sister of Moses. There, the Torah—referring to her and her mother as Shifrah and Puah—tells us of their self-sacrifice to defy Pharaoh’s decree to murder all Jewish newborn boys. Instead, they assisted […]

With classes and jobs on hold, Kaila Zimmerman-Moscovitch of Chicago still keeps busy from morning till night Most weeks, Kaila Zimmerman-Moscovitch is busy juggling a full load of college classes and two part-time jobs. It’s a schedule that doesn’t allow for much free time. With the coronavirus upending her normal routine and her part-time jobs […]

Emphasizing Jewish unity while maintaining social distancing Defying all odds, Lag BaOmer in the era of the coronavirus was celebrated in grand style, checking off another year celebrating that magical day when the light of Kabbalah shone strong with the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Social-distancing practices posed some significant challenges, but all that […]

With a little creativity, communities find ways to celebrate Jewnity and Pride on Lag B’Omer On Monday evening at 18:00 sharp, 45,000 individuals tuned into the livestream at 18for18.com.au. Narrated and presented by children and individuals from Jewish communities across Australia and New Zealand, the event sought to bring together 18,000 Jewish Australians for 18 […]

Bringing inspiration and Jewish pride to some 40 percent of Aussie and Kiwi Jews MELBOURNE, Australia—From Dunedin on the southern tip of New Zealand to Townsville in Australia’s tropical north, they came together on Lag BaOmer as “one people with one heart.” The tough coronavirus lockdowns since mid-March down under haven’t dampened the spirits of […]