Those who live in the Big Apple and other large cities need to grapple with a shortage of parking places.
The problem is compounded several times a week when the City performs the alternate side street sweeping routine.
Years ago, the City alloted 3 hours for this task.
Some years ago, the city council voted to halve this time to 90 minutes.
Yet some sane senators in a recent AP article argue that double parking and idling of cars can be minimized if we allow cars to park immediately after the sanitation sweeper sweeps through.
They have my vote.
One of the things I love about Brooklyn, is the ease of religious life.
Kosher pizza stores, bakeries, mega-supermarkets, Shuls, clothing stores, Seforim stores, Yeshivos abound on just about every block.
Some years ago an enterprising individual began circulating in all shuls the famous "times" set for Krias Shma.
Recently, stores have been sporting signs that announce the candle-lighting times for Shabbos and YomTov.
Years ago, they said it is 'Shver tzu zain a yid'.
Today, it couldn't be easier.
Taking a stroll through my local Seforim store, I noticed that there was not one, but three new biographies of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
This is quite strange, considering that biographies are usually written soon after the passing of the individual.
I imagine that there being 3 biographies issued within a short time span, a score after the demise is unprecendented.
Perhaps this is because the subject lived a larger than life existence. Whether one agrees with his Hashkafa or not, he single-handedly revitalized a large segment of Judaism. He made one proud to be a Jew, encouraged one to practice Mitzvos openly, and encouraged followers to set up shop in the most far-flung places of the globe.
Or perhaps it is because he hasn't reappeared in over 2 decades that makes people realize he is not coming back.
Update 6/19/14:
Jewish Star
Sometimes, in our busy and hectic lives, we forget to appreciate the simple things - the beautiful imagery, scent and symmetry of nature.
This is the time of year when flowers are in full bloom.
Don't forget to stop and smell the roses.
