In a world where walking, talking, digitally connected bots have become children’s best friends, an 11-year-old finds that his robot buddy doesn’t quite work the same as the others do.

For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title “Santa” to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and…

At first blush, Shmuel is a pious Hasidic man leading a fairly simple life. By day he dutifully prays at the local synagogue and manages a busy dry cleaner. But…