Commentary

Years later, as a scholar and author of “Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli,” I came to understand why the Jewish practice of abstaining from food on Yom Kippur is so out of step with the rest of Jewish tradition.

I will share my spiritual journey in parts to the holiest places on earth for the monotheistic religions, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Baha’i.

Advice from a mom who loves her teens.

The destruction of the Second Temple by Roman forces in 70 AD ended the era of animal sacrifices in Judaism.

At the same time as I was researching and writing this article, the state of California was having conversations about and moving toward the passing of a resolution to protect intersex children.

Later in life, when I became a volunteer firefighter, the attacks at the World Trade Center took on more significance to me and I realized a fulfillment of how that day had really changed my future.