Scribe, the Forward’s curated contributor network, is a place for showcasing personal experiences and perspective from across our Jewish communities. Here you will find a wide array of reflections on Jewish issues, life-cycle events, spirituality, culture and more.
Community
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You say matzah — and matzo and matzuh and matzee and more
Readers respond to our editor-in-chief’s column about a Passover copy-editing conundrum
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‘The moveable God of our ancestors’
In the past few months since the beginning of the pandemic, I have several times snuck into our empty, darkened synagogue where I serve as a rabbi. It isn’t exactly sneaking: staff are permitted to enter the building to retrieve work necessities from our offices, as long as we sign in, tell our executive director…
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I’m Jewish. She’s Muslim. We took down anti-Semitic graffiti in less than a day
Here are two responses to an incident of anti-Semitic vandalism — from a Jewish woman and a Muslim woman — in Birmingham, England. The first is from Karen E.H. Skinazi; the latter is from Salma Hamid. (JTA) — As my husband and I were taking our regular after-dinner walk, I stopped dead in my tracks….
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How Jewish organizations can financially survive the pandemic
This article is based on a presentation produced in partnership by the Union for Reform Judaism, National Association for Temple Administration, Women of Reform Judaism, and Women’s Rabbinical Network on behalf of the Reform Pay Equity Initiative with funding from the SafetyRespectEquity Coalition. Perhaps this is your congregation: It is currently OK financially, but your…
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After reflecting on the Fourth of July, how do we move forward?
In examining history, one of the great challenges is compartmentalizing the ideas and actions of the inspiring, yet decidedly imperfect. We just marked the 244th anniversary of America’s founding, and remembered the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. There is no questioning these founding documents as seminal writings on the virtues of equality….
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A 91 year old Zionist stands against annexation
Recently Prime Minister Netanyahu announced plans to annex parts of the West Bank to Israel—an area in vigorous dispute since the conclusion of the Six Day War in 1967. While the problems between Israelis and Palestinians are deeply entrenched, this unilateral move by Israel’s government is the most egregious in a culmination of Netanyahu-backed steps…
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First COVID, then ICU delirium; Hatzalah founder calls for ICU mental healthcare
In March while I was in Miami, I contracted Covid-19. I was put into an induced coma on a respirator twice, for nearly 30 days total. But by far the worst part of my experience was the dreams I had while under, my emotional and mental reaction to the drugs used to put me into…
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Still seeking ‘a more perfect Union’ this Fourth of July
This week we celebrate the 244th anniversary of our nation’s founding — a founding based upon the revolutionary notions that a colony is entitled to self-determination and that people are entitled to certain inalienable rights. This year also marks the 401st anniversary of the first arrival of slaves — human chattel — on our nation’s…
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‘The 4th of July is one of the holiest days of the year:’ Readers share their Jewish stories of the holiday
It’s time for fireworks, picnics and kosher hot dogs! Jewish Americans have always celebrated the Fourth of July in their own way. This year, The Forward asked its readers and contributors to send us the stories of their most Jewish Indepencence Day. Here, you can read their stories of celebration. And may your Fourth be…
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Being Jewish in New Zealand is lonely, but in quarantine, it’s better
I live in New Zealand, which has many advantages. It’s beautiful – green hills, dramatic mountains and spectacular water — mostly safe, run by a sane government and still has a semblance of egalitarianism. But we are also a small island nation at the southern tip of the Pacific Ocean, removed from the centres of…
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Why American Jews must oppose annexation
Yesterday, July 1, was the day Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to begin annexing parts of the West Bank. While it remains unclear how and when these plans will be implemented, it is critical that American Jews voice our opposition, clearly and directly. Annexation would be catastrophic. It would formalize Israel’s control over millions of…
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I always sang for my father
My father, a fan of life, music and his home state politician Joe Biden, died soon after the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Delaware — although fortunately not of Covid-19. He was felled by “natural causes,”also known as the physical vicissitudes of old age. Dad’s death was not unexpected, but because of the…
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