The recent slaughter of five members of the Fogel family of Itamar, Israel, has led some people to suggest that it would be better for Jews not to live in "far-flung" areas of the "settlements," where they will be close to our enemies who seek to destroy us. Perhaps we should use whatever influence we have to encourage the "settlers"...
As a congregational rabbi, I have witnessed firsthand the gap in our community when it comes to discussing and advocating for Israel's future. Indeed, there is a sizable portion of our community comprised of American Jews who believe that we need a more constructive dialogue -- one that reflects our aspirations to finally secure the dream of a Jewish, democratic...
March has become a month when Israel's enemies are most visible, especially in academia and in the political arena. It is a period that includes two weeks of lie-filled, anti-Israel events on university campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the world. Named "Israeli Apartheid Week," this offensive against Israel culminates on March 30 with a planned international boycott of...
When was the last time you stood on your head? If you don't practice yoga, and you're not a 2-year-old, it's probably been quite a while. But being upside-down is nothing new for Jews on Purim. It's a holiday known for the expression nahafochu , Hebrew for "to be turned on its head." And when your world is turned upside-down,...
Conservative Judaism is dying, I hear -- or at least according to the media. Not so. Please don't tell me that because North America's United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has had its problems, that means Conservative/ Masorti Judaism is declining around the Jewish world. Yes, the number of USCJ affiliates has diminished from its peak of 800 a half-century ago...
Sivan 9, 5773
