Pondering the state of American Jewry
President Trump made his daring pronouncement that Israel’s capital is its capital and while many were pleased in the Jewish community, the Reform Movement made a statement against the move. This was a real head scratcher. What? They don’t recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel??? And they’re JEWISH? Confusing. If we don’t have Jerusalem …
If Chanuka was all about remaining true to Torah Judaism and not giving in to secular Greek culture, how is it possible for the holiday to remain relevant to Jews in America, the majority of whom are not orthodox, and are unlikely to marry Jews? Chanuka must be more than the Jewish version of Christmas. …
Everyone is reporting a rumor that Meghan Markel, Prince Harry’s girlfriend, may be Jewish. There is, in fact, no truth to the rumor. Yet the story has been in Vanity Fair, Elle UK, Tablet, and the Daily Express. It is interesting that Jews are always wanting to know if other people are Jews. Why do …
You know how people say Jews control all the money? If you think that’s an antisemitic idea, take heart. There’s a new nominee for chairman of the Federal Reserve, and for the first time in a long time, the office will be held by a non-Jew. Alan Greenspan assumed office in 1987. He was succeeded …
Yet another reason American Jews might want to make Aliyah and move to Israel: they’ll live longer. According to the Jerusalem Post, a more healthy lifestyle, along with better education, better healthcare, and a healthier economy, has help to raise Israeli life expectancy by 10.3 years, from 1970-2015, from 71.8 to 82.1 years. How does …
The Jewish Institute for Strategic Studies has just published a poll which suggests that 72% of Israelis think Israel should retain sovereignty over the Temple Mount no matter what peace agreements it signs, while 68% believe Jews should have the freedom to pray there. This is contrary to the current status quo in which only …
Tal Flicker got a gold medal at a Grand Slam Judo tournament in Abu Dhabi. But because he is a Jewish Israel, the host country of the tournament neither displayed the Israeli flag nor played the Israeli national anthem as the medal was awarded. Instead, the flag of the International Judo Federation was displayed, while …
The Conservative Movement has issued a clarification regarding its stance on intermarriage that has many rabbis up in arms. Pretty much, it’s just a doubling down of a double message: We don’t perform marriage between a Jew and a non-Jew. We welcome interfaith couples. It’s a stance that makes no sense. Because either you welcome …
With all the talk about Harvey Weinstein, all the female celebrities are weighing in. Mayim Bialik talked about how dressing modestly protected her from predators like Weinstein. Alas, her words were taken out of context and she is being criticized for blaming the victim. This article in the Forward by an Orthodox Jewish journalist, still …
The Elder of Ziyon blog took Michael Chabon to task for lecturing Jews on how to behave: Now [Trump’s] coming after you. The question is: what are you going to do about it? If you don’t feel, or can’t show, any concern, pain or understanding for the persecution and demonization of others, at least show …