News

Touro University’s Summer Trip to Rome Connected Students to Jewish Life Past and Present

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to join a group of 25 students on Touro University’s Summer Session 2025 in Rome, a two-week experience that blended serious Torah learning with unforgettable visits to some of the world’s historic Jewish sites. What started as a chance to travel abroad while earning college credits quickly became a meaningful, guided journey of discovery about Jewish history and faith, juxtaposed against the backdrop of ancient Rome.

Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, rav of Congregation Charm Circle and CEO of Chazaq, greeted everyone on Sunday night, July 13, for the Shiv’ah Asar B’Tamuz shiurim at Havurat Yisrael, sponsored by Chazaq. He explained that Shiv’ah Asar B’Tamuz is a very sad day, marking the beginning of the Three Weeks – the mourning period that leads to Tish’ah B’Av, when both Holy Temples were destroyed.

Parshas VaEschanan begins with Moshe Rabbeinu davening – “Va’eschanan el Hashem” – a t’filah so deep, Chazal tell us it was one of 515 pleas. Even though Moshe’s t’filah wasn’t answered in the way he hoped, we learn a powerful y’sod: no t’filah is ever lost.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has announced that Pavilion seating is now nearly sold out for Ishay Ribo’s upcoming concert — set for Thursday, August 7 (Yud Gimmel Av), just before Shabbos Nachamu. As demand continues to surge for what’s expected to be one of the most significant Jewish music events of the year, a limited number of Pavilion seats remain available. Lawn tickets and Separate Seating sections are also still open, offering a range of options for guests looking to be part of this historic night.

Despite heavy rain, the West Hempstead Jewish community turned out in full force on July 8 for a successful Taste of Israel BBQ event, raising $60,000 for the critical work of One Israel Fund. Over 175 attendees gathered at the home of Alan and Sharon Shulman, who once again generously opened their home for this annual tradition.

This week’s parshah, Parshas Pinchas, shows us how one person’s courage and mesirus nefesh can save an entire nation. Pinchas acted quickly and with pure yir’as Shamayim to stop a terrible sin that was causing a plague in klal Yisrael. Because of his z’chus, Hashem gave him a special promise: a “bris shalom,” a covenant of peace.