The Hue and Cry at Our House: A Year Remembered
A prism on a kitchen windowsill performs the miracle of fracturing sunlight into the complete spectrum, throwing rainbows on mundane surfaces, elevating them to something celestial and rare. Benjamin Taylor, in his compact and precise memoir, The Hue and Cry at Our House: A Year Remembered (Penguin, 2017), performs the same miracle. His last year of childhood in Forth Worth, TX, explodes into multicolored fragments, illuminating intersecting themes from the Kennedy assassination to Taylor’s homosexuality and eventual diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome.
The Netanyahu Years
On November 21, 2016, Benjamin Netanyahu surpassed David Ben Gurion’s record of longest continuous service as prime minister of Israel. Though Netanyahu’s years in power have been marked by scandal and political intrigue, his popularity with the Israeli electorate over the past seven years has grown, allowing him to do practically anything he wants.
The Shoah Through Muslim Eyes
A Pakistan-born Muslim woman with a Ph.D. from a South African university who directs the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College, a New York City Catholic school, has written a pioneering and courageous book about the Shoah (Holocaust).
Reform Movement Leader on UNESCO's Hebron Resolution
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: It’s hard to fathom how UNESCO can, once again, vote to delegitimize what is demonstrated Jewish history at an ancient holy site. The place where Judaism’s patriarchs and matriarchs rest must not become a political pawn.
Goodwin Liu Withdraws Appeals Court Nomination
Pelavin: "It is a shame that the judicial confirmation process has devolved to the point where a nominee as qualified as Prof. Liu cannot even get a confirmation vote."
Senate Wisely Rejects Ryan Budget
Rabbi Saperstein: "Congress can only safeguard against future threats to the most vulnerable among us by seriously applying itself to the task of justly and morally balancing the budget."
Communities Enhance Black-Jewish Relations Through Quality Programming
Rabbi Saperstein: "We are very grateful for the Kovler family's generosity and support in building bridges between Blacks and Jews - and are immensely pleased to support these programs."
Senate Fails to Advance Goodwin Liu Nomination
Rabbi Saperstein: "Today's vote is a disturbing reminder that obstructionist tactics have become the rule instead of the exception for judicial nominations."
Increased Oil Drilling Not the Solution to High Energy Prices
Rabbi Saperstein: "While we recognize the great difficulties faced by working families struggling with high gas prices, the solution will not solely be found in expanding our domestic offshore oil production."
Letter to Congress Urges Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act
Rabbi Saperstein: "It is unconscionable discrimination for the government to deny the benefits and rights that all loving, committed couples deserve equally under law."