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May 16, 2025, 5:21 PM

On the puzzle of purgatory

Purgatory. Some religions and belief systems reject it. It's my understanding Judaism varies in its approach as Judaism isn't a monolith. So, if you reject the idea of purgatory, I understand your logic. But let's say purgatory is real....

May 14, 2025, 9:10 PM

The art of bowing out

The art of bowing out. Make no mistake - it is an art. Starting the next chapter of your life is an emotional moment that can resonate with many people around you. The way you decide to bow out...

May 13, 2025, 7:50 AM

Olami Manhattan Took Me To Poland: Day Five (Part One)

Miriam Frankel stands in the barracks of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where countless individuals were forced to endure harsh conditions. Photo by Margaux Betesh.

Upon my return from Europe, I turned to my local library to further investigate the peregrinations and hardships faced by Jews during their internment in the Auschwitz concentration camps. Running my fingers along the bindings of countless volumes, I...

May 8, 2025, 11:58 PM

80 years later and where are we headed?

I met Nadia while volunteering in Poland during Passover 2022, at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nadia-not her real name-is from Ukraine. She is married with two children, a military age son and a daughter married...

Sarah Maria Sander

Apr 28, 2025, 6:02 PM

One Day in Auschwitz

Author Sarah Maria Sander at the March of the Living in the former Auschwitz concentration camp. Credit: Alon David

Leaving the beautiful Polish city of Krakow behind, the taxi takes me on this early Thursday morning toward Auschwitz-Birkenau. A row of tall trees passes by the car window. My head feels empty and heavy at the same time....

Apr 19, 2025, 9:41 PM

Dealing with high-conflict people

A lot has been written and said about dealing with high-conflict people, i.e. the ones who are like energy vampires and love conflict because they are addicted to that adrenaline rush. Yes, there are people like that, even though...

Apr 14, 2025, 3:29 PM

On the power of words

From prayers to slang, from the divine to the mundane, words convey an endless spectrum of thoughts and emotions. Words can turn into reality. When we express our thoughts, we do it by using words and gestures. Does the...

Apr 5, 2025, 3:22 PM

On accepting God’s will

God's will permeates our universe and expresses itself through places, people and even ideas that we come up with. While we seem to have free will, divine providence is like a cosmic force that sees all and knows where...

Apr 4, 2025, 1:48 AM

The folly of childishly challenging God

Many Jewish people revere God and have a meaningful relationship with him. An all-powerful being deserves reverence. Alas, there are people that childishly challenge God by taunting the Creator to show off his power - I'm sure you've crossed paths with...

Apr 3, 2025, 4:24 AM

God might answer our prayers in mysterious ways

There seem to be two schools of thought: one tells us that prayers, chants and songs must be regimented. Each word, pause and tone matters; the other school of thought tells us that God values spontaneous prayers more than...

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