Rochel Sylvetsky

Rochel Sylvetsky

Senior Consultant, Op-ed & Judaism Editor

News by Rochel Sylvetsky

The Heroes of October 7th - a different narrative for all of us

While Hamas barbarians initiated the October 7th massacre and the price we paid is incalculable, still, Israeli courage, initiative and selfless ingenuity prevailed, so why should Hamas dominate the narrative our children hear? Review.

The Heroes of October 7th - a different narrative for all of us

Historic Thanksgiving Proclamations:

A message for Thanksgiving 2024 from two great American Presidents

George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 and Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863, send powerful and timely messages to the people of the USA and Israel today.

A message for Thanksgiving 2024 from two great American Presidents

Ascending the ladder in your career- with Biblical help

The former chief psychologist of Israel's Employment Service read the Bible closely to glean sage advice and tips for a successful career, and has presented it all in an interesting, practical and informative book. Review.

Ascending the ladder in your career- with Biblical help

Yedidya Hy"d's father, Rav Yoram Eliyahu: 'Tell your children how much you love them'

Yedidya Hy"d fell in Gaza on the 19th of Cheshvan, exactly one year ago. On his 1st yahrzeit, the fact that he told friends that he feels his parents' love is a source of consolation for them. Read and watch the story of a hero of Israel.

Yedidya Hy"d's father, Rav Yoram Eliyahu: 'Tell your children how much you love them'

The Fast of Gedaliah 2024

The Fast of Gedaliah, held to mark the trragic assassination of the governor of Judea after the destruction of the First Holy Temple, is today. Our Sages said: "To teach you that the death of a tzaddik, a rightous man, is equivalent to the burning of the House of our G-d."

The Fast of Gedaliah 2024

Land of milk & honey, flowing springs-and a once pristine desert

A tour of the Judea Desert Nature Reserve, untouched when handed over to the PA in the Wye Agreement, shows an infuriating site of purposeful ecological destruction - and is a wake-up call to halt insidious plans aimed at Israel's destruction. Look.

Land of milk & honey, flowing springs-and a once pristine desert

David Chaim Meir, Hy”d, tough commando officer, loved to sing lullabies to his infant son

Sayeret Matkal's David Meir, idealistc, tough commando officer and gentle, loving husband and father, rushed down to Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, where he engaged terrorists in a fierce battle that allowed residents to escape until he was mortally wounded.

David Chaim Meir, Hy”d, tough commando officer, loved to sing lullabies to his infant son

Israel and the foreign media - an unfolding psyop drama

A new, readable book on Psyop by Dr. Ron Schleifer and former GPO head Daniel Seaman tells the untold story of how journalists and editors abuse their professional standards to promote an anti-Israel narrative. Review.

Israel and the foreign media - an unfolding  psyop drama

Amitai Granot Hy"d, the tank commander who loved to play the piano

The story of a gentle yeshiva scholar who decided to take a tank commander's course to help defend his country. The IDF told the family that in the days prior to his death, his tank killed 15 terrorists, took part in several battles and eliminated two jeeps filled with terrorists.

Amitai Granot Hy"d, the tank commander who loved to play the piano

Watch:

Salt of the Earth: Captain Eitan Fish Hy"d, one IDF soldier- an entire world

Watch the story of one IDF soldier out of the many fallen, each an entire world all by himself. One family out of the many, left with a gaping hole in its heart. For Yom Hazikaron.

Salt of the Earth: Captain Eitan Fish Hy"d, one IDF soldier- an entire world

Yom Hashoah 2024:

"My friend, Anne Frank"- a powerful and unforgettable book

A story of love, hope, strength and the power of friendship and family, values that survive the horrors of World War II in a most readable book that will have you smiling through your tears. Review.

"My friend, Anne Frank"- a powerful and unforgettable book

And once again, it happened at midnight

One of the poems sung at the end of the Haggadah could have been written today. An Israeli poet added stanzas that show how its timeless message lends perspective to last week's drone attack on Israel.

And once again, it happened at midnight

Watch: 'Shilo's Notebooks - Remembering Golani Captain Shilo Rauchberger Hy"d'

Shilo left a legacy of wisdom in his notebooks and in the things he chose to do in his all too short and heroic life.

Watch: 'Shilo's Notebooks - Remembering Golani Captain Shilo Rauchberger Hy"d'

Swords of Iron:

Salt of the Earth: Naftali Gordon Hy”d

Arutz Sheva brings the story of one of our priceless soldiers, a loving husband, father, son and brother, who fell saving the Jewish State and its people during the Swords of Iron war.

Salt of the Earth: Naftali Gordon Hy”d

A pro-Jewish look at the Haredi draft issue: Not black and white

The idea that all Jews are brothers, no matter what, is a basic, shared value in the one and only Jewish State, and everything that happens in it, controversies about haredi draft included, must rest on that truth. Opinion.

A pro-Jewish look at the Haredi draft issue: Not black and white

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 families at Cyprus retreat:

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.."

For The Three Weeks:

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

An enlightening book on Lamentations.

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

Jewish Educators Day at Herzog College

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

Op-ed:

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?

Report:

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