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Yoel's Lemonade Stand: AI and the Death of Creative Excuses
AI is exposing every artist, writer, and marketer who never had anything real to say. But Justin Oberman argues that’s exactly the gift we’ve been waiting for. In this sharp, soulful manifesto, he offers a Chassidic lens on AI, authenticity, and what it means to create something only you can say.

Justin Oberman
Jun 12, 20254 min read


The Maaser Dilemma: When Your Accountant Doesn’t Speak Jewish
What happens when your financial planner sees tzedakah as optional, but you see it as a halachic obligation? In this witty and thought-provoking piece, Lorenzo Nourafchan exposes the deep disconnect between traditional financial advice and Orthodox values—and makes the case for maaser as a core business expense, not an afterthought.

Lorenzo Nourafchan
Jun 12, 20253 min read


Protecting a Nation Without Abandoning Compassion
As federal immigration enforcement escalates in LA, Lou Shapiro calls for a response that balances law with compassion. In his latest column, he challenges both political extremes and lays out a path for immigration reform rooted in humanity, not headlines.

Lou Shapiro
Jun 12, 20254 min read


Let’s Be Honest: Middot
Let’s be honest—once upon a time, when someone bumped into you, you’d get a, “Excuse me.” Now you get a blank stare, or worse, they get...

Elan Javanfard
Jun 12, 20254 min read


The Sacred Art of Cash Flow: Why Your Q1 Should Start In Tishrei. Not January.
In this witty and wise financial manifesto, Lorenzo Nourafchan makes a compelling case for syncing your cash flow with the Jewish calendar—not the Gregorian one. Drawing from years of experience untangling the unique rhythms of Orthodox business life, he lays out why your Q1 should start in Tishrei and how community values should guide your balance sheet.

Lorenzo Nourafchan
May 29, 20252 min read


Adaptability Amidst the Wilderness - Parshat Bamidbar
Why was the Torah given in a barren, ownerless desert? In this insightful piece on Parshat Bamidbar, Elan Javanfard explores how the wilderness was not just a backdrop—but a blueprint for psychological adaptability. Drawing from Torah, Midrash, and modern psychology, he unpacks how embracing humility, flexibility, and resilience prepares us to truly receive divine wisdom—no matter the environment. The desert, it turns out, is not a place of lack, but of transformation.

Elan Javanfard
May 29, 20252 min read


Yoel’s Lemonade Stand: Why Your Brand Shouldn't Make Sense
What do a two-tailed mermaid, a research assistant named Yoel, and your next business idea have in common? In this sharp and hilarious essay, Lorenzo Nourafchan unpacks the myth that a brand name has to "make sense." Drawing inspiration from Starbucks, Torah names, and Orthodox business quirks, he argues that the best brands don’t explain themselves—they define themselves. Forget the focus groups. Just open the stand and make your lemonade mean something.

Justin Oberman
May 29, 20253 min read


Let’s Be Honest: Therapy
In Los Angeles, quality therapy has too often felt like a luxury. But mental health isn't a status symbol—it’s a necessity. This bold new initiative, Nosei LA, is flipping the script by building a culturally attuned mental health system that respects frum values and real-world budgets. With top-tier clinicians, outcome-based care, and a vision rooted in dignity, the article calls on the community to join in building something better. Because therapy isn’t a secret to hide—it’

Elan Javanfard
May 29, 20255 min read


Music and Aveilus - Questionable Days to Perform a Siyum Sefer Torah Celebration
When can we dance with the Torah—and when must we hold back? In this clear and thoughtful halachic guide, Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman explores whether a siyum Sefer Torah may be celebrated with music and dancing during Sefiras HaOmer or the Three Weeks. Drawing on classical sources and modern Poskim, he offers clarity on how to honor the Torah’s completion while respecting the spirit of aveilus. A must-read for shuls, schools, and communities planning Torah dedications with c

Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman
May 29, 20253 min read


Taken Before His Bar Mitzvah, Stolen Tefillin Find Their Way Home 28 Years Later
28 Years Later, Lost Tefillin Miraculously Returned to LA Man
In an incredible story of hashgacha pratis, Shmuel Rogorotsky of Los Angeles was reunited with his tefillin—stolen 28 years ago before his bar mitzvah—after they resurfaced in a Chabad House in Frisco, Texas. Thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Mendy Kestin, Rabbi Mayshe Kesselman, and a perfectly timed connection, the tefillin made their way back home, inspiring Jews across the community.

The LA Jewish Home
May 26, 20252 min read


What are some of the basic applications of Dina D'malchusa Dina (the law of a kingdom is a law)? Are there exceptions when one does not need to follow the law of the land?
What does it mean for Jews to follow the law of the land—and where do we draw the line? In this clear and compelling piece, Dina D’malchusa Dina is unpacked from its Talmudic roots to its modern-day application. From medieval monarchies to American democracy, the article explores when civil law becomes halachic obligation, when it doesn’t, and how generations of poskim have navigated this delicate balance—reminding us that honoring the law can also be a profound Kiddush Hashe

Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman
May 14, 20254 min read


The Relationship Reset: Becoming the Anchor She’s Looking For
When a woman’s world feels heavy, what she needs most isn’t fixing — it’s presence. In this poetic and powerful piece, Yehudah Kamman explores the sacred role of the man as an emotional anchor in a relationship. Drawing from Torah wisdom and timeless truths, The Relationship Reset invites men to cultivate quiet strength, steady energy, and deep-rooted trust — becoming the unwavering light she can rest beside, even when the storms roll in.

Yehudah Kamman
May 14, 20252 min read


Kiddush Hashem & Moral Identity Fusion - Parshat Emor
In this powerful exploration of Parshat Emor, Elan Javanfard bridges timeless Torah principles with modern psychology through the lens of moral identity fusion. Drawing on sources from Chazal, the Gemara, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, he unpacks the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem—not as a lofty abstraction, but as a daily call to integrity, sacrifice, and living with purpose.

Elan Javanfard
May 14, 20252 min read


Orthodox Money Matters: When "Business as Usual" Isn't Your Business
This article explores the unique financial realities faced by Orthodox Jewish business owners—where Shabbos, halachic constraints, and Jewish values aren't obstacles to success, but essential features of a principled business model. It challenges conventional financial advice and makes the case for a values-driven approach where religious observance isn’t a compromise—it’s the competitive edge.

Lorenzo Nourafchan
May 14, 20252 min read


Yoel's Lemonade Stand: The Orthodox Marketer’s Creative Advantage
In a world where marketing often chases trends and noise, this article reveals how Orthodox Jewish business owners can unlock their greatest creative advantage through the very constraints of halacha. With wit and insight, it argues that limitations aren’t obstacles—they’re invitations to think deeper, speak clearer, and market with soul.

Justin Oberman
May 14, 20253 min read


In Hashem We Trust? Do You Have the Faith to Cut the Check?
As tuition bills, tax deadlines, and Pesach receipts collide, thousands of Jewish Angelenos are left asking the same question: Do I have the faith to cut the check?
This week's cover story explores the quiet spiritual struggle behind our community’s financial reality—and what it means to trust Hashem when the numbers just don’t add up.

David Rogatsky
May 14, 20257 min read


The Relationship Reset: Crowning Her Twice
In the chaos of family life, a woman embodies both the nurturing Mother and radiant Queen, roles often overlooked. Men can lead by helping her transition from managing to receiving—making tea, watching kids, or offering admiration—while she learns to let go. Rooted in the Torah’s Shabbos rest, this balance honors her duality, freeing her true self and crowning him as a king.

Yehudah Kamman
Apr 24, 20252 min read


The Relationship Reset: Be Fluent in Love Language
Yehudah Kamman highlights that many couples struggle despite deep love due to speaking different love languages—his rooted in provision and purpose, hers in connection and emotion. Learning each other's language through curiosity and humility, like Hashem teaching the Israelites in the desert, transforms relationships into a sacred, fluent connection, urging intentional acts like a hug over a fixed faucet.

Yehudah Kamman
Apr 4, 20253 min read


The Relationship Reset: Are You Safe or Are You Useful?
In a marriage where a wife feels unsafe and takes control, and a husband withdraws feeling useless, the key to restoration lies in understanding their differing fires, his driven by competence, hers by security. By appreciating his efforts and leading with strength, couples can break this cycle, transforming their relationship into a harmonious dance, much like the Israelites’ journey from slavery to the Promised Land.

Yehudah Kamman
Mar 13, 20254 min read
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