The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Nearly 2,200 years ago, Antiochus IV seized the throne in the Seleucid Empire, an enormous Greek state that included Judea. To unify his kingdom, he embarked on an aggressive Hellenizing mission specifically targeted toward

The Power of Stories Series, Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Rabbi Joseph Potasnik tells the extraordinary story of days-old twins, one born with a serious heart condition and not expected to live. As the tiny infant’s health began to fail, a nurse petitioned for

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Pharaoh instructed the Hebrew midwives, “When you assist the Hebrew women during childbirth, if it is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” Fearing God above all, the midwives

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer After Velvel didn’t return home from school, his parents discovered that he had been forcibly conscripted into the czar’s army where, for 25 years, he would also be pressured to accept baptism. Even if

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Just weeks ago in upstate New York a deadly blizzard trapped many, among them Jay Withey. Venturing out in his truck to rescue a friend, Jay picked up two stranded pedestrians. Eventually, cemented in

The Power of Stories series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Yakov joined a local Minchah (afternoon) service and sat a few rows behind a father and his four kids. The man in front of them drummed his fingers on the bench. The kids fidgeted.

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer At the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebration of Queen Elizabeth II, one ceremonial address was given by a representative of the Jewish community, Vivian Wineman. He included the traditional Jewish blessing, wishing her majesty well

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer At this year’s Rosh Hashanah party, soldiers at one Israeli army base were excited to learn there would be a raffle. As hundreds of soldiers each contributed 50 shekels and put their names into

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer A boy asked his mother for a third slice of cake. “No,” she answered. “Please, Mom, just one more piece.” Again, his mother said no. The boy didn’t give up: “Please? Just one, I

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education With Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer A devoted husband and father of seven, Rabbi Isaac Hurwitz writes a weekly Torah commentary and runs a marriage advice blog. Every day, he welcomes friends and strangers into his home for study, prayer,