Watch how a corrupt but charismatic leader who has overstayed his welcome becomes a moral plague, weakening his country’s moral fiber, tarring everyone around him. Instead of doing what great democratic leaders do – bring out the best in everyone – he’s bringing out the …
LOVE OF ISRAEL, AMERICA, CAN TAKE ON MANY FORMS
nother year, another AIPAC Policy Conference – and, alas another round of protests. Once again, small, shrill groups of Jewish demonstrators commanded far more attention than 18,000 pro-Israel attendees. Even within the conference, people spend more time criticizing dozens of angry “IfNotNow” students rather than …
The Black Director Who Should Have Won an Oscar
The Black Director Who Should Have Won an Oscar This Oscar who deserved an Oscar but never got one, turned watching Birth of a Nation into the birth of his movie career. The Daily Beast March 3, 2018 The Black Director Who Should Have Won …
Even the Wild West Embraced Gun Control
Even the Wild West Embraced Gun Control The Wild West wasn’t so wild that it—and the Stormy South—couldn’t include gun control. The Daily Beast February 25, 2018 Even the Wild West Embraced Gun Control The Wild West wasn’t so wild that it—and the Stormy South—couldn’t …
TRUMP’S TOXIC EMBRACE OF ISRAEL MUST NOT TURN OFF DEMOCRATS
On March 4, thousands of Israel lovers will fill another AIPAC Policy Conference. America’s biggest pro-Israel hootenanny will feature the usual mix of learning, lobbying, networking and merry- making, particularly energized by celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary. But – and I write as a friend and …
Why Jews Love Presidents (Most of the Time)
Most American Jews today love hating President Donald Trump. The hostility is so pure, so intense, so obsessive, it brooks no opposition, correction or nuance. The hatred is so great, even rabbis resist the ego-stroke of joining the ritualistic High Holy Days phone call with …
WORK WITH OUR POLISH FRIENDS – WHILE CONFRONTING OUR POLISH ENEMIES
Last week, I ridiculed the Polish Parliament’s totalitarian law outlawing the phrase “Polish death camps.” It’s as absurd as banning phrases like “Jewish killing field” or “Hiroshima nuclear bomb” – and as unconvincing as those German neighbors who lived near death camps, smelled Jews’ burning …
AMERICA’S YEAR OF LIVING TRUMPISHLY
iving Trumpishly means having a vulgar, vicious president who unleashes inner demons, not better angels. Living Trumpishly means Left and Right both listening censoriously, acting self-righteously, and detesting those who dare disagree with “us,” the enlightened. Nevertheless, America is resilient. Despite the pain and chaos …
No, The Orthodox Aren’t Stealing Birthright. They’re Attracting Young People
Last week, Haaretz ran an explosive story. “Orthodox trip operators are taking over Birthright Israel Programs” proclaimed the headline. The article examined Birthright’s recent decision to drop the Reform Movement “as a certified trip provider,” attributing this “split” between Birthright and the Reform movement to the “aggressive” …
The U.N. Didn’t Create Israel. We Did.
Please rise and open your Zionist hymnals. Let us sing praises to three of the most miraculous minutes in Jewish history. That’s how long it took on Nov. 29, 1947, for delegates of the 2-year-old United Nations to vote — 33-13 with 10 abstaining — …