Gross Injustice

Binyamin Rose

For the last five years, Judith Gross has been demanding her husband’s release from prison in one of the world’s last Communist holdouts. Alan Gross was arrested while on a US-sponsored technology assignment in Cuba, but although his health and spirits are failing, Mrs. Gross has had little luck fighting the high-stakes game of political chess that’s keeping him behind bars. In an exclusive interview, she shares how even the White House won’t say why Alan can’t come home.

My Brother's Keeper

Avi Friedman

Around the world, Jewish communities are beginning to feel that the protection they enjoy from local police and civic authorities is no longer sufficient to keep their communities safe, and have taken measures to augment internal security arrangements. With each new round of Arab-Israeli violence in the Middle East, Diaspora Jews — braced for the fallout in their own neighborhoods — are defending themselves.

The triumph of Rav Mottel Katz

Rabbi Yaakov Feitman

While destruction rained down on Europe, Rav Mottel Katz and his brother-in-law Rav Elya Meir Bloch were driven to rebuild the Telshe Yeshivah on American soil — even as their families were decimated in the inferno. Rav Mottel, whose 50th yahrtzeit is this week, didn’t speak a word of English, yet managed to replant black-on-white yeshivah life in a red, white, and blue world.

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