Elizabeth Kratz

Bergenfield

Editor at The Jewish Link of New Jersey

Editor at The Jewish Link

Mom, writer, editor, kosher foodie, oenophile. Editor of The Jewish Link (https://t.co/s21g0hf89Q). @JLinkExpanded

Articles

Zoning Discrimination in Linden: Standing With Our Fellow Jews

2 weeks ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Last week, The Jewish Link published an important story on our cover, entitled “Linden’s Jews Object to Proposed Zoning Ordinance.” It was written by our longtime reporter Debra Rubin; it took several weeks for it to see the light of day because much of the activity happened right before the Pesach holiday began and we generally don’t print the paper during Chol Hamoed.
Bluebird Farm Alpacas for Your Next Simcha

3 weeks ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Imagine the serene beauty and picturesque nature of a farmhouse, surrounded by some of the cutest animals known to man … then add all your friends and family beside you enjoying the outdoors. Could there be a more memorable place to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments?
Spurring an Aggadic Renaissance: Vital Stories of the Gemara Continue to Teach

3 weeks ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Reviewing: “The Aggadic Mindset II: How Talmudic Tales Shape the Jewish Outlook” by Rabbi Chaim and Binyamin Jachter. Cover artwork by Miriam Kaminetzky. Kol Torah Publications, 2025. 268 pages. ISBN: 9798312213317. Up until the 1920s, there were Ein Yaakov Jews rather than Daf Yomi Jews. Ein Yaakov was a compilation of talmudic tales (aggadah) with commentary based on unique stories told by rishonim contained in the Babylonian Talmud.
Marking a Year in Israel Diplomacy: Consul General Ofir Akunis Fights for Us

1 month ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

While of course we would like it to be so, it doesn’t always happen that we at The Jewish Link receive total support for our own work, generous access to both private and public events and invitations into the most secure of locations for the highest-level of meetings. However, former MK Ofir Akunis, who began in his first diplomatic post serving as Israel’s consul general in New York in the spring of 2024, established that relationship with our team right from the start of his posting.
A Collector of Our Mesorah: Alexander Kratz, z”l

2 months ago | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

During the two Shabbatot before my beloved husband, Alexander, passed away, I had the good fortune to receive gifts of delicious sourdough from my friends Rabbi Dr. Ari and Chana Sytner. During those brief visits to deliver the loaves, I expressed to them that I felt overwhelmed in many ways during Alexander’s four-year illness that his collection of seforim (holy books) and Jewish books in English were too large for our home to manage comfortably.
Mazel Tov Mayor Mendy (Mark) Schwartz!

Jan 9, 2025 | jewishlink.news | Moshe Kinderlehrer |Elizabeth Kratz

It was a pleasure for us, as co-publisher and editor, respectively, of The Jewish Link, to be present last Thursday as our colleague, friend and co-publisher, Mayor Mark (Mendy) Schwartz was sworn in to serve as mayor of Teaneck for the 2025-2026 term. We know, as do many others, that Mendy quite literally lives to serve others. His work in Teaneck, to better the lives of every member of our entire and diverse community, has been seen, heard and felt by many of us here in Teaneck and beyond.
RCBC Launches Dispute Resolution Center With Beth Din of America

Jan 8, 2025 | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Last week the Beth Din of America held a continuing legal education (CLE) program at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, which focused on issues in contemporary beth din practices, highlighting both differences and similarities in how secular courts of law differ from those guided by halacha. Presenting, among others at the event, was Rabbi Mordechai Willig, shlita, who is av beth din (chief judge) of the Beth Din of America.
Schwartz Elected Teaneck Mayor; Orgen and Belcher Named Deputy Mayors I and II

Jan 8, 2025 | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

At the Teaneck Town Council reorganization meeting on January 2, 2025, the three councilmembers who won reelection following the November 2024 elections—Karen Orgen, Michael Pagan and Mark (Mendy) Schwartz, who is also The Jewish Link’s co-publisher—were sworn in.
Rabbi Andrew Markowitz Elected President of RCBC

Dec 11, 2024 | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

Congregation Shomrei Torah’s Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, of Fair Lawn, has been elected president of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County (RCBC). Rabbi Markowitz succeeds Rabbi Beni Krohn, of the Young Israel of Teaneck, who completed a two-year term. The RCBC is a vaad, or board of rabbis. Its primary function has historically been to oversee kashrut in Bergen County, but has taken on other communal roles over the last two years.
Give Chanukah Gifts of Wines From Israel’s Most War-Affected Wineries

Dec 5, 2024 | jewishlink.news | Elizabeth Kratz

If you have read any of my past wine columns since October 7, 2023, you know that I am in close touch with many winemakers in Israel and am trying to support them however I can by recommending their wines, which have been made with increasing difficulty over the past year.