Hershel Gottdiener makes sure all his good deeds remain under the radar Photos: Jeff Zorabedian, Personal archives He raises funds for Jews in dire straits anywhere in the world, helps move incarcerated individuals out of backwater third-world prisons, and even does what it takes to get a bochur into yeshivah. But you won’t be reading about Hershel Gottdiener on any blog or frum website — because he makes sure all those good deeds remain under the radar Hershel has plenty of friends, to be sure, although you might not have heard of him unless you happen to be his neighbor in Monsey, or i ..read more

Did October 7 change people’s perception of Judaism? Mishpacha’s team visits Penn Station to find out Photos: Jeff Zorabedian The events of October 7 were a wake-up call for religious Jews everywhere, galvanizing them to action. But what about Jews not particularly identified with Judaism or Eretz Yisrael? Jews who disdain all media aside from the New York Times? Were they also shaken by the attacks, by the frightening surge of anti-Semitism around the world? Have they been harassed by pro-Hamas elements or forced to reconsider where they stand vis-à-vis their Jewish identity? We decided to a ..read more

The memory of that first Pesach reminds us that no matter how hopeless the galus seems, it is inalterably finite G alus is a term that connotes so much suffering — homelessness, disunity, persecution, destruction, and much more. These components of galus cause us pain, but they are not the worst of the experience. There is another factor that causes us the deepest hopelessness and despair, and that is the endlessness of our exile. Seeing a “light at the end of the tunnel” can carry us through even the most grueling situation. A person who knows that getting his life on track will require ..read more

When our values compete, it’s hard to stay upright. Four writers reflect Keep them Safe Dina Cohen I watch as she drums her magenta plastic talons of one hand on the faux-marble countertop. Clippety-clop, clippety-clop. With the other hand, she drags on a cigarette, blowing out puffs of white smoke in between scowling. Multitasking at its finest. I want to scowl, too. I don’t. But it takes the self-control of a saint. Which I’m not. “Mindy, I don’t allow smoking in my house,” I say. She kicks the leg of the barstool she’s perched on. “It’s cold outside, Dina,” she gripes. There are so many th ..read more

“Shabbos is Shabbos,” he said with finality. “Shabbos comes first. Looking for heterim is not the proper approach”   As told to Shoshana Gross T he phone explodes in my ear, jarring me awake in a shrill tidal wave of noise. Almost mechanically I start to reach for it when the realization strikes — “Shabbos!” Why is my phone ringing? Through bleary eyes, the name of the chief, our senior resident at the hospital, flashes on my caller ID. She knows it’s Shabbos, and I’m supposed to be off this weekend… but the jeopardy! Heart sinking, I remember that Estelle, a fellow resident, had as ..read more

Styling and photography by Sara Goldstein In my last article, we explored a new mindset around food. As the most basic and frequent physical pleasure, eating is an opportunity to train ourselves to elevate the mundane into an act of serving Hashem. We do that by first wanting the food and then channeling that want to enjoy it when, where, and how the Torah allows us to. The outcome is a composed and dignified attitude toward eating, where it isn’t willpower that dictates our choices, but an appreciation for our role and responsibility as an ovedes Hashem. Soul Food While even regular eating ca ..read more

     I smile at the irony of our family standing between those running away and those who know where they stand I stuff the last suitcase in the trunk and slam it closed. “All ready.” I get in the car. “We’re going to California!” my younger sister Adina shrieks excitedly. “If you yell, I stop driving,” my brother Avigdor jokes. “Thank you for being so nice and driving us to the airport,” Adina says as he pulls out of the driveway. “How much longer?” “Don’t worry, the airport’s not going anywhere,” Mom says from the front seat. “We left plenty early. We can get lost and still b ..read more

Twenty contributors share their opinions about the most consequential changes, trends, and developments of the last two decades During the past 20 years, we’ve brought our readers a consistent weekly package of information, inspiration, education, and connection. But our readership has changed and evolved with the passage of time. The reader of 2024 is not the reader of 2004, and today’s frum world faces a different constellation of challenges and opportunities. What are the most consequential changes, trends, and developments of the last two decades? We asked a panel of 20 contributors at di ..read more

These bochurim fall into a category colloquially known as “bnei mehagrim” (“children of emigrants”) and the issues are complex The public discourse in Israel is focused on the High Court’s decision to push forward with drafting yeshivah bochurim into the IDF. But while much of the debate centers on how much funding yeshivos will lose and how many bochurim should serve, a little-known provision in Israel’s citizenship laws could affect some yeshivah students who might have assumed the hullaballoo wasn’t relevant to them — certain bochurim coming from chutz l’Aretz. Say a young couple from ..read more

Text and Styling by Esther Ottensoser Photography by Sina Mizrahi Bringing Pesach into our homes makes us feel so joyous and accomplished. Although there isn’t much time for extras, here are a few special touches that will enhance your Yom Tov table. Floral Napkin Rings These napkin rings take minutes to make and will dress up any table setting. You can use real or faux flowers. I love the fact that you can change up the look by switching out the ribbons. For a more rustic occasion, wrap the napkin rings with twine. You will need: glue gun 3x½-inch (7½x1-cm) clear empty plastic tube Lucite n ..read more