Woolf Abrahams asks the question: Are long synagogue services necessary? And if so, why? He quotes several impeccable sources, including the writings of Professor S.C.Reif, former Director of Genizah Research Unit, Cambridge University.

Jill Sadowsky regales us with her experience when she saw a snake in her kitchen. Petrified, she called her kids who explained that the snake, Ollie, was harmless. Ollie was a hognose snake that liked to “perform” by playing dead. Later, at a job interview, this information helped her impress the head of the Biology department and got her the job as P.R. assistant. Her amusing account won her honorable mention in ESRA’s literary competition.

How did a documentary film called “Israel in color” come to be made? Read Barbara Abraham’s account of a meeting with documentary film maker Avishai Kfir, and his own discovery of film footage of the early days of the State of Israel made by Fred Monosson. Monosson, with one of the first home movie cameras, filmed the Jewish /Israeli story from 1945 – 1969. These highlights have now been incorporated into Kfir’s own documentary.

Born in Israel to parents of Yemenite origin Achinoam Nini grew up in America. From an early age music was a part of her life – first singing and composing in the school choir. Later she studied at the Rimon School of Music and her repertoire covers a great range of songs including blues, ballards ethnic and classical works. She has sung with and for many famous people, including the Pope at the Vatican. Now acclaimed internationally as a singer, composer and lyricist she will be singing for ESRA on October 17 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.

Rinna Samuel, a writer, writes about her memorable meetings with two of the most celebrated women of her time: Golda Meir and Dame Miriam Rothschild. Each of these formidable women made a lasting impression on her as she recounts how and why their names are imprinted in history.

Netta Kaplan’s article was one of the entries in the ESRA Magazine literary competition “My Israel”. She settled in Israel in 1991 and has had many moving and exciting experiences – she decided that connecting to others and being part of a community made her think of Yom Kippur. Netta describes the holy day here and compares it to celebrating in New York.

The award-giving ceremony for the winners participating in ESRA Magazine’s third literary competition, “My Israel”, was celebrated at a festive reception, replete with wine and goodies. Carl Hoffman was there and reports.

Rolly King Kohansky interviews Fradle Pomerantz in the wake of the recent publication of her new book, Passionate Pioneers: The Story of Yiddish Secular Education In North America : 1910-1960.