Nathan Jeffay
By Nathan Jeffay
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Culture Why Non-Orthodox Judaism Is Doomed
Back in 1977, a young writer published a bold book that tried to propel aliyah, or emigration to Israel, to the heart of the American Jewish agenda. Hillel Halkin, who had made the move himself from New York seven years earlier, didn’t mince his words, and declared the Diaspora “doomed.” The future of the Jewish…
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Opinion Why Two Chief Rabbis Is Better Than One
Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Blau speaks at a Jewish school in Berlin. / Getty Images When you package it right, even a plot against pluralism can be made to seem progressive. In Israel, government ministers spanning from left to right have advanced legislation that will end the country’s dual Chief Rabbinate, under which there are two…
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Israel News African Immigrants Rise Up From Shadows To Mount Powerful Revolt in Israel
They are normally behind the scenes, but now they are the ones making a scene. Tel Aviv is in the throes of a pot washers’ rebellion. In this city, you can eat in a fancy restaurant without ever encountering the illegal African immigrants who are most likely cutting your vegetables and cleaning the china. You…
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Opinion Rose Fostanes, Israeli X-Factor’s Unlikely Winner
It was one of the most moving moments I can remember in Israeli television. Last night, Israel’s most popular human export crowned the country’s most adored import. Supermodel Bar Refaeli, whose career took off in foreign fashion centers, delivered the best imaginable news to a woman who unexpectedly found fame far from home, in Israel….
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Opinion What If Ariel Sharon Had Died 8 Years Ago?
If today has proven one thing, it is that time can be a healer here in Israel. Imagine that Ariel Sharon had died the day after his stroke in 2006, instead of clinging on to life, unable to communicate. On the personal level, it would have probably been far easier for his family. But on…
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Opinion Who Will Show Up To Mourn Ariel Sharon?
A life-size art installation of Ariel Sharon is displayed in 2010 in Tel Aviv. / Getty Images Ariel Sharon, the 11th Prime Minister of Israel, has died, and arrangements are being made for his funeral. The question that looms large now is who will watch him reach his final resting place and who won’t. Sharon’s…
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Israel News Israeli Rabbis Seek To Learn From American Model of Jewish Community
A group of rabbis studying public speaking, psychology and counseling in New York or London would hardly raise an eyebrow. But here in Israel, the group of 19 rabbis gathered in a seminar room and doing just this is breaking new ground. The rabbis who have been studying these topics in Modi’in want desperately to…
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Opinion Sarah Silverman Hailed As Prophetess in Israel
Comedian Sarah Silverman has been called many things, but never a prophetess. Until yesterday, when she was given prophetic credentials in the magazine section of the Israeli newspaper Yediot Achronot. The accolade comes from an interview with her sister, Jerusalem-based Reform rabbi (and one of the Forward 50 list of important Jews) Susan Silverman, which…
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