American Historian, Zionist Thinker
American Historian, Zionist Thinker
Jonathan Pollard may soon move to Israel. For decades, I endorsed the release of this clearly-guilty yet abusively-punished spy whose sustained imprisonment I called “the worst act of official American anti-Semitism in our lifetimes.” Still, I hope Israelis and the government control themselves. Don’t give …
As Joe Biden launches his transition and the Republicans telling Donald Trump he lost show off their regrown tongues, spines, and souls, the Jewish community remains polarized. As a first step to rebuilding a healthy dialogue, can we agree on certain facts? By identifying enough …
As an historian, I never predict elections – predicting the past is hard enough. Usually, when asked, I “predict one winner…. the American people.” Not this year. Or I say, “I predict that Election Day will be peaceful and orderly.” Not this year. Let’s be …
In these hyper-partisan times, many Israelis and Americans scoff at those of us who demand moral leadership – and consistency – from political leaders. Supporters of Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu justify their respective hero’s divisive demagoguery, “because he gets the job done.” Meanwhile, partisans …
I am resigning as a Blue and White delegate to the World Zionist Congress (WZC), which starts on October 20, 2020. Although personally honest, Blue and White’s leader, Benny Gantz, fell into the trap of treating the Zionist Congress like a juicy carcass for sleazy pols …
Hypocrisy alert: why do the Trumpaphobes who gleefully report that Vladimir Putin and the Russians hope Donald Trump is re-elected, overlook the intelligence analyses claiming that China and Iran are rooting for Joe Biden? I know it’s bad form to make complex arguments shortly before …
Q: What’s worse than a Sukkot-in-Seger, with Sukkah huts lacking guests? A: A Sukkot-in-Chaos-and-Cowardice, with leaders lacking the guts to stop political violence. The bloody clashes during this lovely if too-quiet Sukkot for most demand a bold response from our leaders — especially the man …
Sukkot, the feast of Tabernacles, our temporary hut holiday, is also the Great Jewish Guest-a-Thon. This year, with guests from our world banned, let’s welcome more guests from the mystical world. The Kabbalistic ushpizin custom – guests in Aramaic – welcomes one of Israel’s “seven shepherds” …
The Rosh Hashanah death of the 87-year-old Supreme Court Justice and liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg has sent the already edgy American Jewish community into a tizzy. One synagogue replaced the traditional Rosh Hashanah Haftorah with an earnest but culture-clashing and cringe-worthy singing of Ginsburg’s …
Whenever I jog in the Old City, I stop at this amazing spot overlooking the Western Wall, grasp the top of the railing, and prop myself up about five times. I look like I’m exercising my biceps, but I’m really stretching my soul. Last week, …