The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: What Everyone Needs to Know
The title of Professor Dov Waxman’s new book, The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: What Everyone Needs to Know, hides an important tension that gets explained in the course of reading this book, which addresses a most complex and confusing topic.
American Rabbis: Facts and Fiction
In Ishmael’s House: A History of Jews in Muslim Lands
How did Jews and Muslims interact in lands under Muslim rule, from Afghanistan to Morocco?
In Israel, Fighting for Equality in Education
Education is the key to success. This axiom seems so intuitive that the idea of a major segment of a country’s population excluding itself from basic education seems ridiculous.
Opening the Door, at Passover and Always
There is a moment during the N'ilah service on Yom Kippur that stays with me, always. I want to say that it haunts me, but that's really not the right image. It's more a flooding, a rushing-out-and-rushing-in-at-the-exact-same-moment kind of thing.
The Torah In Haiku: Ki Tisa
This portion includes G-d's "Middot HaRachamim"* A prayer for Selichot*
Footsteps in History
As I hiked along the trail, I was amazed by the silence. There is something quietly powerful about walking in the steps of others. Who were these people? Where are they now? Are they happy? These people who knew hardships that I will never know.
An Aching Heart
{This piece is based on a sermon that I delivered in 2005. Never did I imagine that my own family would endure such pain. Today, my brother and sister-in-law are preparing to welcome and say goodbye to their own baby, whose life ended before taking a single breath.
Our Jewish Future is in Good Hands
This past Shabbat we read the Torah portion Ki Tisa. The Plaut commentary notes, “This part of Exodus deals with the Tabernacle and the service that will take place within,” including skilled artisans to complete the work.
Galilee Diary: Brand Recognition III
My ideal is Judaism in the fullest historical sense…Will our school provide Judaism or not? The question of the revival of the language is not the main issue, but the question of Judaism.