A River Reporter Blog

Wavelengths — by Rabbi Lawrence S. Zierler

Rabbi Lawrence S. Zierler is the president and CEO of Sayva Associates, an elder-care practice based in Sullivan County. He has served as a pulpit rabbi, hospital and hospice chaplain, Jewish …

‘Dayainu’

One of the most popular songs sung at the Passover Seder—the well-observed home-based ritual of the holiday—is “Dayainu,” which literally means “It would have been …

Speaking truth to wisdom

Last year in this column I addressed the meaning and development of the eight-branched candelabra, the Chanukiah, kindled on this festival to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in …

Value added vaccines for all

For so many people, rolling up their sleeves to receive a greatly awaited stab at the COVID-19 was a no-brainer.

Value-added vaccines for all

For so many people, rolling up their sleeves to receive a greatly awaited stab at the Coronavirus was a no-brainer.

Three memorable visitors

The Bible at the beginning of Genesis 18 records a scene of Abraham the Patriarch sitting at the opening of his tent just after having undergone his late-in-life ritual circumcision.

A coping plan for COVID and its aftermath

Much ink has been spilled on efforts to address the emotional and functional challenges of living through COVID and its now perceived aftermath.

'Menschlachkeit' on Main Street

The word "mensch," in the Yiddish language, means a good and giving person. And "menschlachkeit" is the expanded term that denotes this total behavioral approach that is concerned with doing the right thing for humankind and community.

When less is more

I recently saw a New York City Health Department television ad encouraging people to trust and take the COVID vaccine. It presents a series of questions and answers. In a slide …

All in the Family

We have a neighbor who is originally from Pakistan and is a successful entrepreneur with businesses in the area run by him and members of his extended family. Every so often he picks up another house to add to a small personal portfolio to situate relatives who have settled here or might be visiting, to work in his stores.

Who asked for this life anyway?

In Judaism, it is customary among the many acts of social kindness to wish other parents what we call “nachas,” joy or pleasure from their children. A principal goal shared across …

Standing up for controversial monuments

I am at a real loss to understand the current grip of cancel culture that has been no less remarkable and confusing than in the incessant demands by so many to tear down and/or remove numerous monuments that honor controversial personalities.

Will anyone still care?

In these troubled and tragic COVID-19 times, there has been no end to our need to mourn. We have all suffered personal losses of family, friends and professional partners. In the words of the Bible, …

‘It’s not worth a hill of beans’

Passover, or Pesach, carries the distinction of being the most widely observed Jewish holiday, outperforming even Chanukah. While both are home-based, the magic of Passover lies with the Seder …

You’re in my seat

I happen to be in Washington, D.C. this week on personal business not at all related to politics or a desire to witness the anticipated violence and riots. We happen to be staying in Northeast …

All up in lights

According to many historical sources, Chanukah represents the first battle for religious freedom after the Syrian Greeks tried to deny the small second Judean commonwealth its rights to practice and …