Open Search form

Michael Schlank

Apply for a Blog

Jan 7, 2026, 10:22 PM

Courage Over Volume

As we enter a new year, the noise of public life grows louder commentary layered over outrage, opinion edged with mockery, and the easy currency of bombast traded for attention. In moments like these, volume can easily be mistaken...

Nov 26, 2023, 7:25 AM

A Witness For Israel

Kfar Aza

About 3 weeks ago, I was invited to visit Israel as part of what is commonly called a mission trip—supported by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and under the auspices of the JCCA of North America. It was clear...

Oct 26, 2023, 1:44 AM

The events of October 7th were monstrous, barbaric, and also a seismic event for World Jewry. This massacre and mass hostage taking atrocity will undoubtedly have consequences that will reverberate forever. Hamas’ hateful and cruel invasion threatens to upend...

Mar 1, 2023, 7:48 AM

For the Love of Israel

Israel is a complicated and complex society, a country that is still relatively brand new. This year Israel will celebrate its 75th birthday; there are many people alive today who remember a time before the State of modern-day Israel...

Feb 7, 2022, 6:22 AM

Extra Extra – News from Israel

When someone at my shul goes to Israel, besides the traditional blessing, our Rabbi always says, “And you should bring back good news”. As I sit in bustling Ben Gurion Airport waiting to board my flight home, I can...

Apr 19, 2020, 8:03 AM

A three might just be the best we can be

As adapted from a letter to the Midway Jewish Center, Syosset New York. -- Dear Friends, Last week, I was in a “meeting” with some of the leading professionals in the Jewish communal world about the organizational response to the Covid-19 pandemic....

Feb 10, 2020, 4:59 AM

Make For Yourself a Teacher

Events have a way of overtaking us these days. We go from tweet to tweet and post to post. The news cycle is rife with who is up and who is down. Each of us often feels compelled to get...

Jun 4, 2019, 2:05 AM

Everyday Counts

There is a practice in Judaism called Sefirat HaOmer or counting of the Omer. It takes place in the 49 days between the second night of Pesach and the onset of Shavuot. It is simply a count. You mark...

Jan 21, 2019, 8:21 AM

Circles of Life

The circles we draw define the way we live our lives and perceive the world around us. As humans, we often look to link events or non-events that we experience together to make them understandable. We do so in...

Nov 1, 2018, 5:45 AM

One day at a time

Maybe it’s time to think small. A counter intuitive statement in these times of turbulence, strife, and violence. Everywhere we look in the Jewish world, it would seem as if stress and angst dominate our life. At the Gaza...

Load more

About Me

Michael Schlank is the Executive Director of Sid Jacobson JCC in East Hills, NY. He writes about Jewish communal leadership, civic responsibility, and the evolving challenges facing Jewish institutions.