By Devra Ferst
New Israeli food is taking over New York. [
New York Magazine]
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By Devra Ferst
On June 16, three young Orthodox women will receive a title that no woman (or man) before them has ever held: maharat (short for
Manhiga Hilchatit Ruchanit Toranit, which means leader in Jewish law, spirituality and Torah). The graduation of the first class from Riverdale’s
Yeshivat Maharat, which trains Orthodox women to be spiritual leaders, has sparked some controversy in the Orthodox community. But, beneath the debates are three women in their late 20s and early 30s who are dedicated to the study of Jewish text and finding a role for women in traditional Judaism.
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By Devra Ferst
Four years ago, Michael Leventhal, a young publisher of history books living in London won a Jewish newspaper contest. His prize? A one-on-one cooking lesson with a chef. But his Sephardic wife, who is a wiz in the kitchen, feared that the lesson might be wasted on just the two of them. Leventhal decided to trade in his reward for a cooking demo for 10 friends. Pretty soon after, friends and acquaintances started to suggest other Jewish food topics they were interested in and some volunteered up their time to serve as speakers. “In less than 6 weeks had created a one day food festival. Within two weeks we sold 200 tickets and that was the first
Gefiltefest,” Leventhal told me recently.
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By Devra Ferst
Ira Schwartz, who has served as the head of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for the past seven years, is leaving his post effective immediately the
Jewish Exponent reported late on Friday afternoon.
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By Devra Ferst
Meet the world’s most accomplished Israeli sommelier. [
The NY Jewish Week]
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