Dear JITC- Is there a problem with trick-or-treating according to Judaism? If so, why? Thanks, Jamie Dear Jamie- Thanks for your question. There are two types of holidays: religious and secular. Despite the commercialization decried by those who observe it, I think that most people would have no trouble recognizing Christmas as a religious holiday. […]

As more children search out help with their mental health during the pandemic, Orthodox Jewish organizations have stepped up to help. Not only did the Orthodox Jewish kids of New York experience the brutal first wave of the pandemic by watching loved ones die, many had COVID themselves and now live with family members who […]

Dear JITC- I saw in Shtisel the topic of surrogacy came up. It wasn’t very favorable. Is this across Orthodoxy or just in more right-wing circles? Thanks, G.S. Dear G.S.- Thanks for your question. I’ve never seen Shtisel (and I have no intentions to) but I assume you are referring to gestational surrogacy, in which […]

Hi Jew in the City- The kids get so dirty on these hot, long Shabbosim. Is there any permitted way to bathe a child on Shabbos? If so, until what age? Thank you, Serena Dear Serena- I’m writing this on the fast of 17 Tammuz, when it’s 94 degrees in NY, and yesterday – which […]

Unfortunately, for too many kids (and adults), the seder evokes a sluggishly boring experience that lasts forever. Conversely, for many kids (and adults) poring over comic books is an exhilarating, addictive experience that they wish could last forever. But what if you could take the excitement from a comic book and inject it into the […]

Few decisions in life can compare to that of having another child. In this regard, it is no secret that Jewish tradition encourages childbirth and observant Jews seem to follow suit. The fascinating thing is that when examining the bare biblical law, a Jewish couple is able to fulfill the obligation to procreate by having […]