Rabbi Howard Goldsmith is the spiritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, a Reform synagogue in Harrison.
Howard Goldsmith
By Howard Goldsmith
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Community Understanding Our Reactions To Trump’s Second Refugee Ban
Everyone uses doublespeak to talk about the Executive Order on Immigration. Liberal groups talk about the discrimination inherent in bill. Conservatives speak about the need to protect our nation from the threat of terrorism and the loss of life that could come with it. Both arguments are basically disingenuous and until we start saying what…
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Community What Breaking Bad Can Teach Us About Personal Ethics
During an interminable layover on a recent trip I downloaded the first episode of the hit-show Breaking Bad to pass the time. The premise – and I’m not giving anything away here – is that Mr. White, a chemistry teacher, receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. He then uses his knowledge of chemistry to make methamphetamines…
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Community Through Eggplant And Tahini, A Path To Mideast Peace
Several weeks ago I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Café Zamn with a group from our congregation. A couple of things stood out about the meal. First was the tangy, citrusy green juice. Second was the impossibly creamy eggplant with tahini sauce. Third, was the fact that Café Zamn is in Ramallah. And, finally, the…
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Community What Makes A Jewish Heart?
“Meet our son, Lev!” I proudly declared in the hospital hallway nearly eight years ago. “Zev?” asked one excited relative. “No, Lev. L-E-V. It’s the Hebrew word for heart.” And so began a lifetime of telling-then-spelling Lev’s name. These days, we don’t pause between the two. “This is my son, Lev. L-E-V.” He does it,…
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Community No Child’s Play: The Bear That Helped A Boy Survive The Holocaust
Other dolls surrounded the pitiful excuse for a teddy bear that stared out through the glass case. Its brown covering had worn through in spots. The eyes did not quite line up. Leaning at a slight angle, the bear hid its story in its unassuming appearance. But don’t be fooled. This bear saved the soul…
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