Op-Ed by Rabbi Gershon Avtzon: It's time to talk about (an often unspoken) part of the shidduch process: The reference phone calls. It is an integral part of the process, as many shidduchim are made or dropped based on these phone calls. Full Story
“Is It Good to Have Expectations of Yourself?”
Illustration Photo of Kinus Hashluchim 5751
Response: The Op-Ed’s discussion on Shlichus expectations and essence seems to be dealing with a much more general age-old question: "Is it good to have expectations of yourself?" Full Story
As Someone Who Is Looking for Shlichus…
Op-ed: "I read the opinion pieces by Rabbi Gershon Avtzon and Rabbi Shimon Posner. As a yungerman currently looking for shlichus, I would like to suggest 3 points from a different perspective." Full Story
Was The Money Well Spent?
Op-Ed by Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz: "There was definitely lots of gelt poured into this event...There are many worthy causes and our money should be spent on what matters." Full Story
Chossid’s Simchas Torah Dance Moments Before Death
Article by Rabbi Shimon Posner: “As I’ve heard the story, my great uncle was either in shul or ran to the shul, and the Nazis boarded up the windows and doors and set the building on fire. His son came running to help but they caught him.” Full Story
‘Simchas Torah Shat Nisht’
Op-Ed: “There was some banter, maybe a bit of stumbling, and the next morning there was definitely a headache, but it was all part of the fun. It was good-natured, comical, and special. It was Simchas Torah!” Full Story
Is Your Child Afraid of Rosh Hashanah?
Op-Ed: Is your child afraid of the day of judgment? You may be surprised. Full Story
COLlive.com’s Top Stories of 5782
The 20 most-read articles on COLlive.com of 5782: The imposter chosson, the Maryland wedding, the Abu Dhabi wedding, Netflix co-founder's Bar Mitzvah, a viral Subway video, unity at 770, an anti-vaxx panel, an encounter in Hawaii, and the Manalapan restaurant bust. Full Story
Oh No, I’m Almost Thirteen
Illustration Photo
From the COLlive inbox: “This past summer, I was a staff member in a mainstream Chabad overnight camp and I noticed something about the boys who will soon be turning Bar Mitzvah - and this issue needs to be discussed.” Full Story
An Open Letter From Your Child’s Counselor and Learning Teacher
Response to "2 Emails Alerted Me to a Growing Problem in Our Midst": An open letter written by a counselor and learning teacher currently at a Chabad overnight summer camp. "Did you ever stop to think about what we actually do?" Full Story
What My Son Needed Right Before Camp Last Year
Photo by Tim Photoguy on Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "Last year, as I kissed my son goodbye on the bus to overnight summer camp and bid farewell, he looked at me and asked me for something specific. I hope it can be regulated this year." Full Story
Only 3 Envelopes and 2 WhatsApp Messages
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "This week I concluded my 6th year of teaching and it had been a great year. Both students and the parents were very happy. On the last day of school, I received..." Full Story
Please Welcome Back the Shluchim To…
Illustration Photo by Théo Dorp / Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "It isn't an anomaly anymore to see a family who was on Shlichus join a Lubavitch community as regular members. This drastic change in their lives is painful. Here's how to support them." Full Story
‘I Never Thought I Would Still be Here’
From the COLlive Inbox: "Last week, I received a message from a friend that tore my heart and took my sleep," shares North Carolina Shlucha Yehudis Bluming. Full Story
The Unfortunate Trend to Focus on What’s Wrong
From the COLlive inbox: A response to the recent op-eds focusing on what's wrong with our chinuch system. The stories of past hurts and mistakes are valid, but there are additional stories that aren't told and should be if you want change. Full Story
The Number One Thing a Bochur Needs
From the COLlive inbox: An exchange between my brother-in-law and a Rosh Yeshiva at a Thursday night farbrengen made me realize a recurring theme that has surfaced for me and many fellow bochurim. Full Story
“There’s No Such Thing as a Trusted Adult”?
Illustration Photo. The people or location have no connection to this op-ed
From the COLlive inbox: "Several days ago, I received a phone call from a close nephew of mine who is a good Yeshiva bochur. I was surprised that he was calling. But when I heard the panicked fear in his voice, my social worker's antennas went up." Full Story
Excuse Me, I Have Actual Anxiety
From the COLlive Inbox: "A term I never heard when I was growing up has become normal. I hear the question over and over, what’s wrong with today's kids? Why so much anxiety?" Full Story
If They Can Have It, Why Can’t I?
Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "What will convince me and my friends to maintain a standard that the generation above us clearly does not? They told us what to do in school but don't show it in practice." Full Story
Rabbosai, Excuse My French?
Illustration photo by Cameron Yartz / Pexels
From the COLlive inbox: “Too often, I encounter them in casual conversation, or perhaps at the wheel of a car after a shortstop. Clearly, things have changed and not for the better. But we are better than this.” Full Story
No, I Don’t Have an Answer
From the COLlive inbox: We'd rather not have to deal with the problem. We want to forget it and put it as far away as possible. We just don't have strength to 'deal' with it. But, can we really be quiet? Full Story
About That Conversation You ‘Overheard’…
A response to the letter from an "anonymous bochur" about girls saying they don't want their future husbands to spend time at Shabbos farbrengens in shul, instead of being home with the family. Full Story
A Conversation I Overheard on Kingston
From the COLlive inbox: “On a walk down Kingston following an energizing shabbos that brimmed with Chassidishe farbrengen, I got stuck behind two girls and was privy to their conversation.” Full Story
Learning Practically Ended at Yeshivos Last Week
From the COLlive inbox: A Yeshiva bochur writes about a reality that parents don't know about, the hanhala doesn't deal with, and the bochurim themselves engage in without a choice. Full Story
If Only We Would Spend Our Money Locally
Op-ed by Rabbi Yehoshua Werde: I was recently speaking with a Crown Heights businessman and he told me how a promising deal with a fellow Jewish person fell through despite his bid being the lowest. Full Story
