“I am a Zionist.” That phrase has inspired me my entire life. Yet, on Israel’s Independence Day in 2001, when I published those words in the Montreal Gazette, it changed my life. This was my Theodor Herzl Moment — the turning point when I came out …
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Showing: 1 - 10 of 10 RESULTS Jewish Journal
In the Spirit of Debate: My Response to Pomerantz
Today’s thin-skinned culture demands that I be offended that Sherwin Pomerantz “disagreed” with my recent article, “The Non-Negotiable Judaism My Parents Gave Me.” But his response thrilled me, even if half his argument misfires. I hoped my article would trigger debate — rather than be squashed …
“Fragilience”: When Temples are Desecrated — and Rededicated
Within a week, two temples precious to me — and millions of others — were desecrated. As everyone knows, on Wednesday, January 6, “Fake-triots” (unpatriotic patriots) invaded America’s fabled Capitol building, spewing hatred while taking selfies in front of iconic statues and paintings. Less well …
Isabel Wilkerson’s New Book ‘Caste’ Clings to the Past
In March 2008, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign nearly imploded when reporters revealed that his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., regularly blasted the United States as irredeemably racist. “[The United States] government lied about their belief that all men were created equal,” Wright preached. “The truth …
Taking a Jewish Approach to U.S. History
Taking a Jewish Approach to U.S. History By Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy As the United States endures this historic racial, health and economic mega-crisis, it’s also experiencing a crisis about its history. Americans often have viewed yesteryear far too uncritically; today, many view it far …
The Fight for True Justice Requires Truth and Complexity
We all know that partisans place truisms ahead of the truth – although we only recognize such fanaticism in our rivals. Especially as anger mounts – and the stakes get higher – it becomes ever harder to see the convenient lies and half-truths we sell …
Every Jew, Not Just Israelis, Should Celebrate Jerusalem Day
Recently, while jogging through Jerusalem’s clean, coronavirus-hushed Old City, I started dreading Yom Yerushalayim. Usually, I love Jerusalem Day. It’s as glorious as Yom Ha’Atzmaut and July Fourth; as stirring as Hanukkah and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday; as freedom-affirming as Passover and Presidents Day; …
Spiritual Engagement Dulls The Pain of Social Estrangement
Although I’m a traditional person, I have never been much for praying. I usually attend services armed with a nonfiction book. Books make sense to me: they inform, change, enlighten, surprise and inspire. Prayer books always struck me as the spiritual equivalent of laundry instructions: rinse, …
Counterpoint: What work must be done on our college campuses?
Jay Sanderson, president and chief executive officer of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, fears Israel’s government is “stoking the flames” with heavy-handed counterattacks against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement on campuses. Judy Maltz wrote in Haaretz, as “it is unusual” for …
Anger: As American as apple pie
Responsible leaders from left to right are blasting Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim demagoguery as “un-American.” Even in the midst of this “Happy Holiday” season, Trump’s fury seems to be unfairly capitalizing on a burgeoning Age of Rage. Yet, while the bigotry exhibited by the Republican candidate …