Rochel Sylvetsky

Rochel Sylvetsky

Senior Consultant, Op-ed & Judaism Editor

News by Rochel Sylvetsky

A special Bar Mitzvah for Koren Tasa

He lost his father and older brother on October 7th, they lost fathers and brothers in the war, but Am Yisrael came through for Koren Tasa and 22 twelve-year-old girls.

A special Bar Mitzvah for Koren Tasa

How the UK Times called out antisemitic London protests

A March 8th editorial in the respected UK Times, spoke out against the anti-Israel protests, showing them for what they are and suggesting the way to protect law and order while allowing freedom to assemble. Op-ed.

How the UK Times called out antisemitic London protests

Transforming the World - a book by Rabbi Leo Dee

The Jewish impact on modernity is explained in this clear, readable book in a way that presents the case for Jewish continuity and adds original creative insights to Torah observance. Review.

Transforming the World - a book by Rabbi Leo Dee

Salt of the earth. One story.

Entire worlds lie behind the terse words Israelis pray not to hear when they turn on the news each morning since the start of the Swords of Iron War: “The IDF has cleared for publication …” This time it was at the end of Shabbat.

Salt of the earth. One story.

Songs of war

Israeli poets, cognizant of Tanakh, Midrash, and the new chapter of Jewish history being written today but not so different from the past, connect the Song of the Sea, Egypt and today's war.

Songs of war

Bereaved mother: 'Here, I felt that it was all right to smile'

There are so many newly bereaved families in Israel, so many new widows and orphans. What can give comfort? Help them cope? Make them smile again?

Bereaved mother: 'Here, I felt that it was all right to smile'

Remembering Dr. Jesse Berkowitz z"l: Family, chessed and Eretz Yisrael

Memorializing someone who was never in the public eye, but who symbolizes ethical and idealistic, yet practical, religious Zionism.

Remembering Dr. Jesse Berkowitz z"l: Family, chessed and Eretz Yisrael

Light a candle for Matriarch Rachel's yahrzeit and pray for her sons' safe return

Jeremiah's promise to Rachel Imenu was:'Your sons will return'. On her yahrzeit, Cheshvan 11 (October 26), pray for its fulfillment.

Light a candle for Matriarch Rachel's yahrzeit and pray for her sons' safe return

Today, what would Tel Aviv's founding mayor think of the city he loved?

In 1933 Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv's first mayor, issued a declaration on honoring the Sabbath. Yom Kippur was desecrated there in 2023.Op-ed.

Today, what would Tel Aviv's founding mayor think of the city he loved?

The significance of the Fast of Gedaliah

Today's fast marks assassination of Jewish leader after Temple's destruction, and subsequent end of hopes to restore life in Israel.

The significance of the Fast of Gedaliah

'Because it's just and right'

The compelling story behind US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocating its Embassy in a remarkable book. Review.

'Because it's just and right'

'First the Saturday people, then.."

A thriller by Bruce Portnoy that spans the US and Israel begins with a car crash and is all too real today. Review.

'First the Saturday people, then.."

What was the Prophet Jeremiah telling us in 'Lamentations'?

An enlightening book on Lamentations.

What was the Prophet Jeremiah telling us in 'Lamentations'?

For out of Zion shall Torah Education come forth: Jewish Educators Day at Herzog College

Herzog College, where a Tanach study revolution took place reaches out to Diaspora educators to enrich the Torah classroom experience.

For out of Zion shall Torah Education come forth: Jewish Educators Day at Herzog College

50 Israeli Supreme Court decisions

These decisions, all handed down since Aharon Barak's period, show more than any essay could why Israel needs judicial reform. Op-ed

50 Israeli Supreme Court decisions

This is the Day - Lazman Hazeh!

A newly translated book clarifies the ideas behind Religious Zionism through the Yom HaAtzma'ut talks given by Rabbi Z. Melamed. Review.

This is the Day - Lazman Hazeh!

The unnoticed victims of terror

The mental health of youngsters who witnessed or were caught in terror attacks is as crucial as their physical health. Op-ed

The unnoticed victims of terror

Lessons in humility: Chaimke and Eliezer

Years later, Machon Gold's alumni realized that the motorcyclist Chaimke who picked up their counselor every day was Rabbi Chaim Druckman!

Lessons in humility: Chaimke and Eliezer

Abe Foxman's conditional love for Israel

There are many things in need of improvement in Israel, but the former ADL head is concerned about the wrong ones. Op-ed.

Abe Foxman's conditional love for Israel

The Sigd holiday - brought to Israel by Beta Israel

Fasting, prayer, love of Zion and festivities: how Ethiopia's Beta Israel Jews enriched Israeli Jewish life with a unique, ancient festival.

The Sigd holiday - brought to Israel by Beta Israel

The haredi/hassidic school report in the NYTimes misses the mark - widely

I know the Satmar community well, and the NYT report, another instance of its bias on Jews and Israel, was both infuriating and inane.Op-ed.

The haredi/hassidic school report in the NYTimes misses the mark - widely

How far is it from Hollywood to the Holy Land?

The spiritual distance from Hollywood to the Holy Land is the distance from exile to redemption. Tzvi Fishman walked the walk. Review.

How far is it from Hollywood to the Holy Land?

Is Jerusalem ours? And what does that question mean?

Are we guarding the 'Walls of Jerusalem' from demographic threats, illegal building, land enroachment and subversive politics? Report.

Is Jerusalem ours?  And what does that question mean?

Four sweet-faced IDF soldiers

What happened to the four sweet-faced soldiers who rinsed lettuce for the IDF Seder with me? Op-ed

Four sweet-faced IDF soldiers

Burning but never consumed: The Hebrew Bible in turbulent times

The burning bush is an apt analogy for the disrespect shown the Bible today. A new book clears up common fallacies about its content.Op-ed.

Burning but never consumed: The Hebrew Bible in turbulent times

'WOW!' - A book for grandparents to read to grandchildren

The wonders of G-d's world in a short, beautifully illustrated book that seems like a child's version of King David's praise in Psalm 104.

'WOW!' - A book for grandparents to read to grandchildren

Trekking the Sanhedrin Trail with Rabbi Judah the Prince

A book about a great Jewish leader who changed history comes to life on a Galilee trail that traces his life and that of the Sages. Review.

Trekking the Sanhedrin Trail with Rabbi Judah the Prince

Israel's Shifting Society

'Jews, Israelis and Arabs, an Observer's view of Israel's Shifting Society',' a politically incorrect, refreshing look at Israel. Review.

Israel's Shifting Society

What do lone soldiers thank G-d for on Thanksgiving Day?

Hundreds of lone soldiers gathered in Jerusalem for a turkey dinner, and gave thanks for much more than the food. Am Yisrael Chai. Op-ed.

What do lone soldiers thank G-d for on Thanksgiving Day?

We are all "baderech" - somewhere along the path of a journey in process

Whatever wagon we are on, wherever the path leads, we know we are on a holy journey together. 'Baderech-along the path to Teshuvah'.Review.

We are all "baderech" - somewhere along the path of a journey in process

The true faces of the Babyn Yar Murders revealed

'Some were shooters, others extracted Jews from their homes, others took their belongings, or served sandwiches and tea to shooters.' Report

The true faces of the Babyn Yar Murders revealed

I love Shmitta

Good Shabbos, Eretz Yisrael!

I love Shmitta

'So that it shall be good for you'- treating religious compulsions and fears

A readable, informative book on OCD, also meant to enlighten family and friends, involving them in behavior-modifying treatment. Op-ed.

'So that it shall be good for you'- treating religious compulsions and fears

'The Snake at the Mouth of the Cave'- a new look at the role of Talmudic narrative

Judaism's way of life and study of Torah, surviving years of exile and dispersion, was defined but not spelled out by the Sages. Op-ed.

'The Snake at the Mouth of the Cave'- a new look at the role of Talmudic narrative

Can anyone explain the US State Department "illegality statement?"

A former  Israeli Justice Minister writes that he is “mystified” by a US State Department spokeperson's recent illegality statement. Op-ed.

Can anyone explain the US State Department "illegality statement?"

How often do you ask yourself what it is that you really want?

Shayna Goldberg's "What do you really want? Trust and fear in decision making at life's crossroads and in everyday living." Review.

How often do you ask yourself what it is that you really want?

From the Israeli press: Thanking Netanyahu - sort of

Columnist Ari Shavit wrote an accusatory thank you to Netanyahu, but to do so had to list the outgoing PM's amazing accomplishments.Op-ed

From the Israeli press: Thanking Netanyahu - sort of

Thoughts on "Rebecca! Mother of Two Dynasties." Can Bible-based plays be Torah true?

A new play about the life of Rebecca shows that Torah standards can be upheld without sacrificing superb musical drama.

Thoughts on "Rebecca! Mother of Two Dynasties." Can Bible-based plays be Torah true?

The Book of Hirsh

The Book of Hirsh packs everything about today's Israel into a fast-paced, but thought-provoking, short novel Recommended. Review.

The Book of Hirsh

The layers of women's lives

The challenges, difficulties and triumphs of English-speaking women living in Israel are told in their own words in a new book. Review.

The layers of women's lives