Forward.com

Purim Podcast

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:38:00 EST

The Backward’s Purim Spoof podcast, featuring Backward editors Anthony Weiss and Daniel Friedman in conversation with Gabrielle Birkner, looks at the Anti-Defamation League’s decision to honor Bernard Madoff, the retirement of the Elders of Zion, Adam Sandler’s meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, Jay-Z’s new Jewish dating Web site, and the existence of hot Israeli models.

Elders of Zion to Retire

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST

The Elders of Zion, the venerable and shadowy Jewish organization that controls the international banking industry, news media and Hollywood, has announced that it is disbanding so that members can retire to Florida and live out their golden years on the golf course.

A Heartwarming Drawing

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:33:00 EST

Eli Valley Cartoon

ADL Bestows Honor on Madoff

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:32:00 EST

Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff was re-graced yesterday when the Anti-Defamation League awarded him the Inadvertently Good for the Jews prize for his work in “demolishing a centuries-old stereotype: that Jews are good with money.”

The Middle East: Peace At Last!

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:28:00 EST

After thousands of years of communal strife, a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement has been reached that will make war, bloodshed and religious violence relics of history.

Wonka Factory Receives Hekhsher

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:27:00 EST

Following is the required report filed by the Unorthodox Union inspection team and intercepted by the Backward. It describes the full process they undertook to determine whether a particular sweets-producing entity complies with the highest-level standards for kosher certification.

Philip Roth’s New Novel About Philip Roth

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:25:00 EST

Philip Roth has always been a conflicted warrior, balancing his high regard for his literary and sexual talents against a contempt for his own venality. His newest novel, “The Plagiarist,” is, yet again, a recapitulation of his overarching career, but the master has managed to revisit this well-worn ground in a shockingly new way.

Who Put the Coal in Coalition?

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:23:00 EST

When people ask me, “Who put the fun in fundamentalism?” I always answer that it was a little-known 14th-century Sufi Pir named Sayyid Jalal al-din Husayn Bukhari.

Rahm Emanuel’s Guide to Down-to-Earth Parenting

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:17:00 EST

Rahm Emanuel is the tough-but-fair, no-nonsense chief of staff for President Barack Obama. He is also a former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Although Emanuel may have faced tough questions working at the White House and in Congress, we bet he’s never faced anything tougher than these questions from our readers!

Shake Hizzoner’s Hand!

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:10:00 EST

Have you ever wanted to look and feel important for at least one brief second, no matter how little you deserve it?

Alex Rodriguez Admits to Kabbalah Use

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:06:00 EST

In a tearful televised confession, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez yesterday confirmed long-rumored allegations of performance-enhancing kabbalah use during a live interview with ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons. Citing pressure to stay competitive, Rodriguez acknowledged resorting to the practice of esoteric Jewish mysticism on multiple occasions since being introduced to its mysterious and perplexing power by pop chanteuse and rumored paramour Madonna, a prominent Kabbalangelist.

Extreme Gaza Makeover

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST

Finally, good news for a city torn by war, terrorism, political intimidation and a crippling embargo: The popular ABC show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” is coming to Gaza City.

Where On Earth Is Our Chicken Soup?

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST

We’ve been patient for a long time, but we’re just about at our limit. Enough with the excuses. Would you please tell us why we don’t have our bowls of matza ball soup?

Letters

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:49:00 EST

Dear Backward, Thank you so much for your insightful, independent and comprehensive coverage of all things Jewish. It’s really nice to have a critical look at the community for once. I look forward to my weekends when I can kick back, relax and read my paper just the way my grandfather used to. Now that you print it on Thursday instead of Friday, it always gets delivered in time, too. Keep up the good work!

Dressing Up: A Short Story

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:55:00 EST

Every year the villagers of Chelm held a Purim parade and it caused trouble for months. Many people around the world consider the Chelmener to be fools, but they are not. They are, however, very specific and honest. So, when you dress them up in different costumes, they often become frightened and confused. One year the entire yeshiva class dressed as Mordechai and they very nearly got into a fistfight about which Mordechai should have the honor of riding Haman’s horse.

Vision

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:43:00 EST

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