Look closely. Parts of the American Jewish community are silently committing ideological suicide. Most American Jews have long embraced a liberal American dreamism that allowed many to live well while doing good. They celebrated prosperity and liberty while voting liberal and donating generously. It works …
The End of the New Jew
The final line—“Israel can no longer be understood without its Russian component, and Israel’s ‘Russians’ can only be understood as a type of Israeli”—of Matti Friedman’s fascinating essay about Israel’s Russian immigrants and their children captures how much they changed Israel, and how much they …
Can Jews on the Right, Left find common ground? – opinion
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 …
How Rabin’s Assassination Gave New Life to Oslo
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally on Nov. 4, 1995. The day 25 years ago marks one of the lowest moments in Israeli—and even Jewish—history. This is not, as many believe, because Rabin’s assassination killed the Oslo peace process between …
US elections: Ballots are paper bullets to the American people – opinion
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 …
Judge leaders by the enemies they make – and refuse to make
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 …
J’Accuse: The WZC has become the World Zionist Casbah
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 …
Biden should restore America’s soul, not Obama’s Mideast policy – opinion
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 …
Violent conduct by protestors on our streets demands zero tolerance
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 …
This Sukkot, why not welcome some unusual guests into your sukkah?
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” …