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Howard Blas

Howard Blas is a social worker and special-education teacher by training. He teaches Jewish studies and bar/bat mitzvah to students with a range of disabilities, leads disability trips to Israel and writes regularly for many Jewish publications, including JNS.org.

Israel Defense Forces soldiers get much-needed items from She’ilat KITBAG. Credit: Courtesy.

‘Gemach’ for IDF soldiers offers necessities and ‘act of kindness’ at same time

“I noticed that non-working parents often did not have the funds to buy personal army gear for their kids,” says Ashkelon resident Beth Newmark.

October 13, 2023

A painting of Esther, Ahasuerus and Haman by Rembrandt. Credit: Google Art Project/Wikipedia.

Hundreds of rabbis, cantors, others to observe public fast on Oct. 12

Throughout Jewish history, public fasts have responded to and beseeched God for mercy at times of great pain and uncertainty.

October 11, 2023

Harriet Schleifer (center) with her son, David, and Pam Murray of the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center on a trip to Israel, May 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Accessibility Accelerator.

‘Jews can’t afford divisiveness,’ says incoming chair of Conference of Presidents

Harriet Schleifer, newly 70, is the rare leader who has distinguished herself in multiple spheres.

May 24, 2023

Harriet Schleifer on a recumbent bike at Agamon Hula-JNF Nature and Ornithology Park in northern Israel. Photo by Howard Blas.

Israel trip aims to forge ‘ambassadors for accessible travel’

“Disabilities should not hinder individuals and their families from … participating in cultural exchanges like any neurotypical individual would,” said Michael Storz of the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center in New Haven, Conn.

May 19, 2023

Jewish children in Ukraine hold up shmurah matzah ahead of the Passover seder. Credit: Jewish Relief Network Ukraine.

‘I felt compelled to help’ Ukrainian Jews at Passover time, says 17-year-old

The day-school-educated son of immigrants from Lviv and Kyiv who now live in the Baltimore area has raised more than $20,000 to bring food to some 1,100 Ukrainian Jews.

March 27, 2023

Michael Wielansky up at bat in the World Baseball Classic in Miami, March 2023. Photo by Howard Blas.

After World Baseball Classic, Michael Wielansky of Team Israel ponders his future

“It is a crazy business,” said the shortstop’s father, Steve. “It is extremely stressful all of the time.”

March 20, 2023

Jared Green and a half-dozen friends have a 30-year tradition of visiting ballparks that dates back to when they were fellow staffers at Camp Ramah in Canada. Photo by Howard Blas.

The Jewish baseball fan diaspora ingathered in Miami to cheer on Team Israel

“We love baseball, and we love Israel. What better way to spend time than cheering on Jewish sports,” Jeff Goldstein of Toronto, who went to see the players with his whole family, told JNS.

March 16, 2023

First baseman Matt Mervis of Team Israel bats against Nicaragua at the World Baseball Classic in Miami, March 12, 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Major League Baseball.

Israel handed second straight mercy-rule loss at World Baseball Classic

The Dominican Republic mashes and bashes its way to a 10-0 victory.

March 15, 2023

At left is Israel Baseball team manager Ian Kinsler; next to him is general manager of the Dominican Republic team Nelson Cruz (with flower); and Jordy Alpert, president of Israel Baseball (with bullhorn) on March 14, 2023. Photo by Howard Blas.

Israeli, Dominican Republic baseball teams sign MoU at World Baseball Classic in Miami

“This is an opportunity to come together to promote friendship between the Latino and the Jewish communities,” says Jesse Rojo, director of the Philos Project.

March 14, 2023