In pictures. The scenery in Costa Rica was absolutely breathtaking; the sunsets magnificent; the wildlife exotic...Benji shares the splash and splendor, spirit and spunk of Costa Rica.

One day many years ago, one of Sheyna's children was being just horrendous. I think that was the word she used. Except for the story's main gist, and the fact that it involved a tantrum that went on for hours, I don't recall details. But judging from my own extensive experience with childhood, it would be safe to surmise that one of the boys was being extremely disobedient, noisy probably, raucous, disruptive.

a photographic tribute

With all your different faces, in all your different ties, we love the fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, uncles, brothers and nephews in our lives. Happy Father's Day!

The man going by the very Ashkenazi-sounding name "Matisyahu" [with the "s" in the middle rather than the more Israeli pronunciation of "Matitayu" with a "t"] was decked out in traditional ultra-orthodox attire: black hat, black coat, bushy beard. A little experience told me that the music on this CD would more likely lean towards old world cantorial-style or the type of bubbly "simcha" music heard at weddings and bar mitzvahs rather than hipper, more modern Israeli world music we generally favor: Idan Raichel and HaDag Nachash, that sort of thing.

On a windswept, darkening afternoon in December 2000, I brushed the snow away from the marker of my mother's grave. With each sweep of my gloved hand, the raised lettering of the simple plaque gradually became visible, showing her name, ELEANOR FREEDMAN, and the inscription our family had chosen: A SPECIAL PERSON.

...in photographs. Bands, schools, veterans and more marched up Fifth Avenue in a show of support for Israel. Where's Waldo, and where are you? If you hang in there long enough, you might just find yourself and your friends in the crowds. Relive the excitement, or enjoy it for the first time, in our slideshow of the 42nd annual Salute to Israel Day Parade.

She made her debut at our home shortly before the commencement of Shabbat. Sweet and youthful-looking, petite, newly engaged and adorned in a white coat, she entered our lives. That Shabbat we were blessed with two Shabbat brides - a double portion like the manna which fell erev Shabbat in the wilderness.

Suri wandered through the narrow aisles of the makolet, peering disconsolately at the unfamiliar items. She picked up a package of crackers and examined it carefully. She replaced it on the shelf with a disappointed sigh. The year was 1965 and Suri Schwartz was a new bride who had only recently moved to Eretz Yisroel from her native New York.