For all the talk about Israel facing an existential threat, be it from Iran or from Gaza, perhaps the biggest danger to the country is emanating from a place far closer to home. Israelis’ commitment to democratic values is on the decline: They are losing faith in rights, diversity and equality, according to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute.Read More
Juice cleanses fill the need that people have for old-fashioned religious staples like ritual, order, deprivation and ultimately, hopefully, transcendence. http://jd.fo/q1hDQ
Have you tried one?
Thousands of Jews packed into a Johannesburg shul to pay tribute to Mandela, the 'Joseph of South Africa.'
The current NFL season demonstrates the great flaw of pro football: The quarterback has become too important. How did this happen? It all goes back to Sid Luckman.
http://jd.fo/h1eDf
A quiet revolution is taking place among ultra-Orthodox women in Jerusalem. They have discovered the power of mascara.
The Council of Jews in Germany receives a river of hate mail.
Disturbingly, a study shows that 60% of the letters come from well-educated Germans, including some university professors: http://jd.fo/t1for
Does that number surprise you? Share your reactions in the comments.
"Also, one will beautify [Shabbat candle lighting] when the wick is made from cotton, flax or cannabis…”
While researching #Shabbat customs, Yosef Glassman came across this reference. It sent him on a mission to learn about the biblical history of weed: http://jd.fo/j1d05
Could a 1976 movie starring Alain Delon have predicted the tale of Cornelius Gurlitt, found to be holding 1,280 pieces of Nazi-looted art in his Munich apartment?
Find out: http://jd.fo/a1Voc
Greek geometricians like Euclid knew that letters could be used to solve numerical problems.
Philologos explains how rabbis do the same with the Hebrew alphabet: http://jd.fo/i1d9n
What does the Bible say about contraception?
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg explains: http://jd.fo/f1cV9
Can you recognize Mandy Patinkin without his beard?
The beloved facial hair that has become Saul Berenson's trademark look on "Homeland," is no more: http://jd.fo/h1cpf
Once, there was a less-complicated time when Jewish and African freedom struggles went hand in hand.
J.J. Goldberg recalls memories of Mandela from a Zionist childhood: http://jd.fo/e1VRI
"Wall" or "separation barrier"? "Palestine" or "West Bank"?
Why writing about the Holy Land can get pretty tricky: http://jd.fo/j1cGe
What flavors define #Jerusalem?
WATCH Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi describe their top picks:http://jd.fo/e1UgG
Did they miss any? Let us know in the comments.
Nelson Mandela was a global symbol of the fight for human dignity. But there were two sides to any great leader — and Mandela sometimes made Jews very uncomfortable.
http://jd.fo/i1cXF
May his memory be a blessing.
Need a weekend movie suggestion?
Read Ezra Glinter's review of the new Coen Brothers movie, "Inside Llewyn Davis," which opens in theaters tomorrow: http://jd.fo/t1f36
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