Watch Out

Shimmy Blum

The cloud of fear that engulfed the US after 9/11 doesn’t have to be America’s long-term reality. But following the Boston Marathon bombing, security officials say citizens should ramp up their vigilance.

Bordering on War

Aharon Granevich-Granot, Panmunjom, North-South Korean border

On this strip of border, the soldiers of South Korean officer Per Byong Chol watch the North Korean military men in their viewfinder, while the bellicose threats of aggression by North Korea and the intelligence reports from the South have tensed up an already-volatile piece of land — officially a demilitarized zone, yet the most heavily armed strip in the world. Chol, who accompanied the Mishpacha team to this crossing, was blunt: “We’re here to prevent them from setting the whole region aflame.”

Pulling the Strings

Eliyahu Ackerman

If your cembalo has begun to squeak, or your sitar no longer sounds like it should, you can bring them to Reb Uri Gvili’s workshop in old Yaffo. As the soundman for many of the country’s most popular religious events and a craftsman with the rare skill of repairing antique instruments, Gvili shares the story of his journey back to the ancient strings — and the ancient melodies of the soul he was separated from for so long.

It’s in the Genes

Aharon Granevich-Granot

Could a breakthrough in RNA research and new discoveries about epigenetics herald a cure for some cancers that until now have defeated the medical establishment? Sixty years after the discover of DNA in April 1953, Professor Gidi Rechavi hopes his newest clinical trial will shed even more light on the mysteries of tumor biology

Conversations

What’s in a Name?
Shoshana Friedman “What does Writer X have to say this week?”

Atonement — Fake and Real
Yonoson Rosenblum White confessionals and faux rituals

Four Walls Coming Full Circle
Eytan Kobre All the while, there’s been a relationship in the offing...

And Yet We Smile
Yisroel Besser We are the nation that toils to be happy at all costs

Out of This World
Rabbi Henoch Plotnick Dirshu Hashem b’himatzo — we are in Hashem’s company now...

Steven and Jonathan Litton
Rachel Bachrach The co-owners of Litton Sukkah, based in Lawrence, NY

Tali Messing
Moe Mernick Tali Messing, engineering manager at Facebook Tel Aviv

Sick Note
Jacob L. Freedman “Of course, Dr. Freedman. Machul, machul, machul”

Avoiding Health Columns Can Be Good for You
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman Only one reliable guide for good health: our Torah

Endnote: Side Notes
Riki Goldstein Most Jewish music industry entertainers have side profes...

Me, Myself, and Why
Faigy Peritzman Where there’s no heart and no love, there’s no point

Can’t Do It Without You
Sarah Chana Radcliffe When you step up to the plate, you build your home team

Eternal Joy
Mrs. Elana Moskowitz The joy of Succos is the fruit of spiritual victory

The Appraiser: Part III
D. Himy, M.S. CCC-SLP and Zivia Reischer Make sure your child knows his strengths

Hidden Special Needs
Rena Shechter You won’t see his special needs, but don’t deny them

Dear Wealthy Friend
Anonymous There’s no need for guilt. I am truly happy for you