Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides, Rambam) was a 12th century Jewish philosopher, codifier, commentator and physician. He is best known for his codification of Jewish law (Mishneh Torah), his philosophical writings (Moreh Nevuchim/Guide for the Perplexed) and his Thirteen Principles of Faith.

To be honest, I’m not sure I would have answered Sean’s initial message on JDate (I thought it was one of those mass message emails), so it really is fate that we happened to be online at the same time that cold January night when he IM’d me. 

Summer has officially arrived and that means longer days, later nights and a lot of icy-cold white wine. Whether you’re out on a first date, planning your future on a fortuitous fifth date, or cozying up with a long-time lover, there is a great big world of white wine out there.

“When Av enters, we must lessen our rejoicing,” declare the Talmudic sages in Ta’anit 26b.

In truth, however, this period of “sadness” begins on the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz (observed yesterday) and lasts exactly three weeks – until Tisha B’Av (the Ninth of Av), the day on which we mourn the destruction of both the First and Second Temples.

Who says you have to go out to have fun? My girls and I had a blast last week when we all got together for a special “Girls’ Night In.” We planned a fun evening filled with wine, facials and JDating®! Yes, you read that correctly, we scheduled a night just for us girls to get together and help each other with our online dating profiles. If you’re ready for some quality time with your favorite girl posse, then read on to discover a fun online twist to the traditional girls’ night out!

Astrology 411: We’ve all got a lot to do before Mercury goes retrograde on July 14^th. Big things are in store for one sign, but that ambitious fire sign needs to do a little ‘emotional’ cleaning before anything good can happen. For another sign, it’s time to part with anything (or anyone) they’ve been holding on to for unhealthy reasons because Venus (the planet of love) is giving them a second chance! Read on to discover how Mercury and its retrograde will affect you this month!

Navigating the many choices that you make on a date can often be like ordering off your favorite menu. From what to wear to what to say, matchmaker Janis Spindel has the recipe for success!

The history of the conversos, those Spanish and Portuguese Jews who hid their identities by publicly behaving as observant Catholics, is tragic not only for the horrible auto-de-fes (mass executions at which those convicted of heresy were burned at the stake), but also for the fear and instability with which these hidden Jews lived. Conversos who managed to leave Spain or Portugal, often had to flee the next country of residence in fear of the Inquisition that often followed recent Spanish conquests. The same story was played out in Europe, India, South America and even in colonial Georgia.

Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney; I’m sure you are all really nice people, and I mean that. However, you are making the online dating lives of men who want to get into serious relationships around the world much more difficult. I know it’s not your fault; you’re just acting the parts that were written for you. Still, the problem is that women see your movies and expect these hopeless romantic stories to become their reality.

Mordecai Sheftall (1737-1797), the son of Benjamin and Perla Sheftall, emigrants from England, was born in Savannah, Georgia. A successful self-made merchant-come-landholder, Mordecai was active in colonial politics. His position on the Parochial Committee (and one-time chairman) made him easily identifiable as an independent minded rebel to any British official. When the hostilities between the British and the colonists eventually turned to war, Sheftall was appointed commissary-general and eventually the “Deputy Commissary of Issues in South Carolina and Georgia.” He was commissioned as a colonel, the highest ranking Jewish officer in America.