As Jews, our attention is constantly focused on Eretz Yisrael and the perpetual wars in the Middle East. This is quite natural, however we cannot ignore the news coming out of North Korea. This hermit country, ruled by a dynasty still professing extreme repressive Stalinism, is advancing its missile and nuclear weaponry in a declared battle with the U.S. and South Korea. In fact, we may be surprised to find ourselves at war with North Korea once again, in a conflict left over from the Cold War era.

Currently ruled by an unpredictable megalomaniac, Kim Jong-un, North Korea has over the years sparked numerous crises almost leading to war. Often, the crisis dissipates through temporary agreements with the superpowers. This tactic has enabled North Korea to buy time and cheat its way to becoming a war-mongering nuclear power. Given its new nuclear and missile capabilities and its over-a-million soldiers, a war with North Korea, especially if that country is backed by its traditional Chinese and Russian allies, could be very messy and dangerous.

President Trump has made a superb choice in selecting South Caroline Governor Nikki Haley to serve as our ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Haley is a bright, savvy, and right-thinking public servant who will make us proud in her new and difficult role as this is arguably one of the most difficult and impossible jobs anyone could imagine. Soon enough, it is likely that Ambassador Haley will feel like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, when she begins to recognize that “We’re not in South Caroline any more, Toto.”

Ambassador Haley has made it perfectly clear in carrying out her task that “The days of Israel-bashing are over in the United Nations.” Representatives from nations whose agenda seemingly is as a single issue: Hate Israel, blame Israel, destroy Israel.

Do you feel heavy and bloated after the Shabbos challah? Does challah give you stomach cramps? Or, perhaps you sneeze several times after eating it, or start to itch. Any of these symptoms and others – one website on Non-Celiac Glucose Sensitivity (NCGS) listed over 50 common reactions to gluten when I first was diagnosed – may be caused by this component in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt that allows these grains to bind together as a flour. I discovered my intolerance when I developed chronic sinusitis. Determined to banish my ever-present froggy voice, I made an appointment with an allergist. After two hours of testing for airborne and food allergies as a trigger for my congestion, absolutely nothing showed up. “So strange,” I said to the doctor, “because I only use spelt, and even a three-day Yom Tov dose of that gives me stomachaches and increased congestion.”

Starting your own consulting business can be easier than you’d think. Most of it is just making sure that you’re providing your unique skills and knowledge to people who don’t have it. Best of all, most consultants can start part-time, so they don’t have to quit their day job to get their business going.

It’s actually advisable to give it a trial run before making it your full-time occupation. Running your own business takes particular personality traits and endurance; it’s not the right choice for people who crave predictability or have low risk tolerance. Sometimes you won’t know this about yourself until you’re in that situation – and you definitely don’t want to eliminate any options until you’re sure that being independent is truly good for you!

As Jews living in America we cannot turn a blind eye towards the social and political changes happening within our very own communities. Recent polls show that over 60% of Americans favor legalizing marijuana, and 65% see marijuana as the least dangerous drug. Indeed, most Americans feel that it is safer than alcohol. With a medical marijuana dispensary set to open in Pikesville later this month, the question of marijuana – its use and legalization – is on our doorsteps. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to educate our community about marijuana, including its harmful and beneficial effects as well as how parents should approach the subject with their children.

When singles make aliyah, they find themselves in new communities and work environments, and they embark upon the adventure of finding themselves in a foreign culture and language. In this last article of the singles series, we will explore how singles navigate shidduchim in Israel, some beautiful anecdotes as well as challenges they encounter and practical advice for any curious reader who is contemplating aliyah.

People have different attitudes when it comes to dating and the single stage of life. Some see it as a race: who gets to the finish line first. Others see it as a game: learning the rules and trying to enjoy the process as much as possible. And still others see it as a nuisance of a waiting process, inhibiting them from living the life they want to live. When making aliyah, the process continues, albeit on different turf.

Anyone remember Baltimore Hebrew University on Park Heights Avenue and its red brick building with the year-round Chanukah menorah atop its front door? Well, the building was replaced by an extension to the JCC parking lot. But what happened to the 90-year-old Jewish institution itself? A unanimous Maryland Board of Regents vote determined its destiny in June of 2009. Baltimore Hebrew University – with its 55 graduate students, seven instructors, and a library of approximately 70,000 volumes – would be moved eight miles northeast to the campus of Towson University, with its more than 21,000 students.

As a busy mother, I face the common problem of scrambling to set aside time to spend with my kids when I have a million other things to do. For us hard-working parents, time is very limited, and the temptation to use it to do errands, go shopping, clean the house, etc., instead of being fully present with our children is a strong one.

Besides finding the time, another challenge of constant multitasking is being able to slow down, turn off the disciplinarian mode, and just be with our children, enjoying them without demands or expectations. As a home schooling mother, I face the additional challenge of trying not to turn everything into an educational opportunity. I know this sounds ridiculous, but sometimes it is important to just spend time with my kids without making everything into a learning experience.

I seem to forget, from year to year, how cold it can get in Baltimore. Winter winds are no joke and make me think of staying cozy indoors with friends. A great plan is to invite your friends over for a game night. Make a big pitcher of sangria and and set it out with some “tapas” (a fun way to say savory appetizers).

What is sangria? you ask. Sangria is a traditional, wine-based drink that originated in the Iberian peninsula, probably to make the wine more palatable. The Spanish word may be derived from the Latin word “blood.” White grapes did not grow well in the area (back around 200 BCE), so most of the wine was red. Thus, sangria could have referred to the color of all wines in the region. Today, sangria is also made with white wine and even sake!