Tai Chi Improves Balance in Patients with Parkinson’s

By Albert Fuchs, M.D.
Published on February 10, 2012

Biden’s the one

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on August 27, 2008

Biden is just naturally what the Democrats used to be, the party of lunch- pail-carrying working people, not politically correct, prone to saying inappropriate things, but with a great credibility

Tikkun for which olam?

By David Suissa
Published on November 1, 2007

f you want to be popular in the Jewish world today, just say tikkun olam. Everywhere you go it seems that Jews of all stripes are jumping on this universal bandwagon. Recently, in one day, I got to experience three different views of tikkun olam. The last view was so politically incorrect, it was almost embarrassing.

Paris and Rosie

By Rob Eshman
Published on June 14, 2007

Jews bemoan the lack of context, the one-sidedness, the over-simplification and the focus on blood and gore that marks quite a bit of the media coverage of Israel. And the Muslims? To them, the media paints all Muslims as terrorists, offers superficial understanding of Islam and focuses on violence over culture and accomplishment.

Needed: Rational Discussion

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on August 17, 2006

I've spoken to many groups all over Los Angeles during extremely volatile times. I've never seen such rudeness, narrow mindedness and just plain boorishness.

10 Ideas For Creating Meaningful Volunteer Assignments

By Susan J. Ellis
Published on July 27, 2006

Any organization's program and operational decisions should stem from the philosophy, beliefs and vision that are its reasons for being in the first place. These basic values, however, are often assumed, yet rarely articulated.

Seven-Year Switch

By Rabbi Haim Ovadia
Published on May 18, 2006

The benefits of the seven-year cycle are immeasurable. First, the land recovers the trace minerals it needs without using ammonium-nitrate-based fertilizers, which endangers the aquatic ecosystems. Second, the social structure is corrected every seven years; the differences between the classes are eroded and a sense of unity and togetherness takes over. Lastly, the seventh year provides an opportunity to stop the insane race for provisions, power and glory. It allows people to reconnect to the precious gifts of their family and their inner self.

Sonoma Plan Adds   Flavor to Dull Diets

By Soriya Daniels
Published on March 9, 2006

Dr. Connie Guttersen is on a mission to make America smaller. Well, perhaps not geographically, but at least to shrink the size of the average American.
Scientific studies have proven that weight-loss diets that are based on moderate amounts of the healthiest types of fats, such as olive oil, fish and nuts, are more effective long-term than traditional low-fat diets. And since the low-fat diet myth was busted recently with the publication of "The Nurses' Health Study II," the public is struggling to determine what role fat should play in everyday meals.

Remember Sinai?

By Rabbi Haim Ovadia
Published on February 16, 2006

Immediately following the Ten Commandments, we read a series of instructions that seem a little out of place: You shall not make gods of silver alongside me, nor shall you make yourselves gods of gold. You need make for me only an earthen altar and bring your sacrifices there, and I shall come and bless you wherever my name is mentioned.

Proposal Advocates Shoah Forgiveness

By Joseph Hanania
Published on January 26, 2006

Oliner's personal turnabout resulted in studies, which still continue, at his Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute at Humboldt. From there, Oliner and his wife, Pearl, have interviewed more than 500 rescuers who risked everything to save others, while seeking no personal reward.

Inclusive Education

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on October 20, 2005

In the summer of 2002, Liza Wohlberg had no idea that her life was about to irrevocably change. The 7-year-old, who loved to dance and play with her dog, was enjoying the summer vacation between first and second grade. On a family trip to Canada, Liza's mother, Terry, noticed that her daughter couldn't seem to get enough to drink. When the problem persisted, Terry took Liza to the pediatrician. She was immediately diagnosed with juvenile-onset (type 1) diabetes.

Tightrope of Life

By Rabbi Moshe D. Bryski
Published on October 6, 2005

In the days of communism's fierce grip on the Soviet Union, there lived a Chasidic Jew named Reb Mendel Futerfas. Reb Mendel repeatedly put his life at risk with his efforts to promote Jewish education behind the Iron Curtain and for some 14 years was incarcerated in prisons and labor camps for his "crime" of teaching Torah.

Kabbalah and the Modern Shrink

By Gaby Friedman
Published on October 6, 2005

Since the early 1990s, Rabbi Abner Weiss, former rabbi at Beth Jacob Congregation and current rabbi at the Westwood Village Synagogue, has been using kabbalistic tools in his psychology practice. Recently, he published "Connecting to God, Ancient Kabbalah and Modern Psychology," a book that asserts the congruity of the two disciplines.

The Downer in Me

By Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Published on August 25, 2005

People always tell me that I am a downer, constantly talking about the world's problems here, genocide there; conflict here, poverty there. Nobody ever wants to talk to me at a party!

Like a Virgin

By Amy Klein
Published on August 18, 2005

What is up with virginity?

Israelis Still Divided on Lebanon Move

By Leslie Susser
Published on May 26, 2005

Five years after Israel completed its withdrawal from Lebanon, the jury is still out on whether then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak made the right strategic choice in pulling back troops without an agreement with Lebanon and Syria.

Double Celebration

By Jane Ulman
Published on January 20, 2005

Tu b'Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, marks the birthday of the trees.

Your Letters

Published on August 26, 2004

Your Letters

Is Tomato Sauce a Vegetable?

By Jane Ulman
Published on August 5, 2004

"You shall not eat anything abhorrent," the Torah (Deuteronomy 14:3) tells us. And while the Torah is referring to camels, rabbits, badgers and pigs, I would today include foods that that are high in fat and sugar and low in nutritional value. Foods that have been injected with hormones and antibiotics or treated with pesticides. Foods with a shelf life longer than the average life span.

Balance Paramount to UPN Head Ostroff

By Soriya Daniels
Published on June 24, 2004

Dawn Ostroff, who in addition to being a religiously observant wife and mother, has worked her way up to a glamorous, powerful and exciting position: president of entertainment at UPN. Offering insight into the art of balancing home and work life and achieving one's professional dreams, she reminds us that it's never too late.

Lobbying for a Day on State Budget Crisis

By Idan Ivri
Published on May 13, 2004

The air in these days in Sacramento -- while still hovering at a perfectly balmy Californian 79 degrees -- is rather bleak for agencies hoping to get government funding.

Big Brother Lurks in Higher Education Bill

By J. Shawn Landres
Published on March 25, 2004

Leaving aside the question of whether it is the government's role to ensure ideological balance in academic settings, the bill unquestionably is a well-intentioned response to a serious problem.

True Tale Of Homework Hell

By Judy Gruen
Published on February 26, 2004

The overflow of chutzpah (Yiddish for "unmitigated gall") from my kids never ceases to amaze me. On a daily basis, they make the most brazen declarations while still expecting three square meals a day for the next 15 or 20 years, regular birthday presents, new shoes every two months and allowances that include automatic adjustments for inflation.

Raising Concerns About Patriot Act

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on October 2, 2003

Two years after the USA Patriot Act became law, Jewish groups are still searching for the balance between law enforcement and civil liberties.

The passage of the legislation in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks divided Jewish groups who were ambivalent about the legislation from allies in the civil-rights community that immediately sought to have the law revoked.

The central reason for the Jewish groups' hesitancy to defend civil liberties -- one of the causes Jews generally champion -- is that the act's provisions were designed to target groups viewed as hostile to Jews.

Walk Your Dog

By Rob Eshman
Published on September 11, 2003

The question is not if we are we safe, but what can each of us do to be safer? The idea is to find the balance between alert and alarmed, between giving in to our fears (and to fear mongers) and giving up.

Kiss and Sell

By Gaby Wenig
Published on March 27, 2003

ead in by a uniformed maid, Michele Bohbot glides into the marbled entrance hall of her Beverly Hills mansion with her long, dark hair swaying and her tall, well-toned body suggesting a balletic athleticism. She wears elegant casual clothes that she designed herself -- loose green linen pants and a laurel-colored ruffled tank top -- and her French accent completes this portrait of chic.

But Bohbot is far from a European dilettante. The 43-year-old mother of seven (ages 21 to 5) is the president and sole designer of Bisou Bisou, a global fashion line she started herself in 1989 that now takes in more than $80 million in annual sales, a figure expected to increase following an exclusive distribution deal with JCPenney. She also teaches yoga at her home, is writing her autobiography and bakes her own challah for Shabbat.

Material Instincts

By Gaby Wenig
Published on March 27, 2003

Every day before Dina Goldstein (not her real name) leaves the house to take her two young children to day care and herself to work, she grabs two bagels and two boxes of orange juice. After buckling the kids into the car, she gives them the bagels and the juice, and they eat breakfast in the car on the way to school.

"I just don't have time to get them ready, myself ready and feed everyone before I leave the house," said Goldstein, who works as a religious day school teacher.

Like Goldstein, many women find maintaining a family and a job overwhelming.