Buying a new home is an assault on the senses. We see the bay windows, hear the creaky floorboards, touch the new carpeting, smell the flowering garden. And if the seller happens to be a good cook, we might even taste the cake in the oven, particularly if it's a seller's ploy to make us feel more at ease. But take away just o... More..

One of the most fascinating characters in the annals of Jewish-American history is also one of the most unknown. And one of his most ambitious projects-creating a Jewish homeland here in the U.S.-is now all but forgotten. Perhaps it is time to open the book once again on Mordecai Manuel Noah. Noah, who was sheriff of New ... More..

In the 1600s, "The Adulterer's Bible" appeared in England quite by accident. The printer inadvertently left one word out of the Seventh Commandment so that it read, "Thou shalt commit adultery." The printer was fined and the offending volume taken out of circulation. Nevertheless, that seems to be the version used by many... More..

Abraham George Washington, the first American president, had at least five motion pictures and TV films in which he appeared as a major character. Thomas Edison, the first filmmaker and recording artist, had at least four. Abraham, the first Hebrew, the founding patriarch of Jews and Arabs alike, the "father of all nati... More..

In terms of looking forward to see the Broadway musical "Xanadu," there were three things against it, as far as I was concerned. One, I had a crush on Olivia Newton-John when I was a kid, and if the show made fun of her, as advanced word seemed to indicate it would, then I wouldn't be inclined to like it too much. Two... More..

Strange Jersey, Odd Jersey, Nude Jersey Let's put it this way: if you go to a cemetery simply to hang out in hopes of seeing something happen, then you simply deserve to hear eerie laughter, see dancing flames and get the distinct feeling that you are not alone. Then again, even if you don't deserve it, we're talk about... More..

On November 3, 1953, Life Magazine, at the time one of the most popular and admired photojournalistic periodicals in the world, hit the stands with the picture of a bright, eager and innocent 17-year-old singer on its cover. Jill Corey, who vocalized in a pure, sweet contralto, was the talk of the nation. She had a record... More..