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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6 Health-Boosting Kosher Herbs To Spice Up Your Cooking
You may already be using fresh organic produce to create healthy meals, but how often do you include herbs in your dishes? If the answer is “not very often,” then you may want to reconsider — and not just because they can add a flavor punch to everything from tacos to lasagna. Herbs are like…
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As An Orthodox Rabbi, The SCOTUS Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision Gives Me Pause
As the rabbi of an Orthodox Union-affiliate, U.S. Orthodox synagogue, I greeted the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case with a deep and painful ambivalence. It is, without a doubt, vital for the religious freedoms of individuals to be firmly protected and articulated. Such protections are the bedrock of religious life in this…
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Israel’s Looming Ultra-Orthodox Housing Crisis
Over the past three years, Israel’s minister of finance has invested tremendous resources in meeting the needs of the Israeli middle class. However, even with these efforts, the minister has failed to address the ultra-Orthodox’s needs — a mistake that has contributed to an acute housing crisis for this sector of Israeli society. The ultra-Orthodox…
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As An Argentinian-Israeli, I’m Ashamed My Country Dropped The Ball
Some have credited the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement with the Argentina’s Football Association’s recent decision to cancel the last friendly match with Israel before the start of the 2018 Russia World Cup. This decision, however, was taken after the head of Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, made several threats against a star player of…
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“13 Reasons Why” Has Gone From Worthwhile To Dangerous
For several months in 2017, our teenage students spoke of nothing but Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why.” In early April, we had a handful of teens who watched this sleeper show. But in what seemed like mere days, all of our teenagers were binging this series — sometimes staying up all night to watch the entire…
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Women Of The Wall Is Fighting For Ultra-Orthodox Women, Too
It is Rosh Chodesh Iyar, and over one hundred women have come prepared with Israeli flags and strong singing voices. After a last-minute deliberation, we made the decision to enter the dreaded metal “cage” (the barriers set up for Women of the Wall for the Western Wall Heritage Foundation and police, “quarantining” us on the…
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How I Learned To Overcome My Political Blindspots
I stepped into my multicultural counseling class at Cal State Northridge this year feeling hopeful. To prepare us for our future profession as school psychologists, we were going to get briefed on diversity and get glimpses into each other’s cultural worldviews. Both things which are totally my jam, and reasons why I went back to…
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I Survived The Holocaust As A ‘Hidden Child’—Thanks to the Mercy Of Strangers
My Kir Royale is fabulous, and so is my company: Evelyne and Jean Pierre Grosfils, and my granddaughter Naomi. We are dining at Yume — a word which means “dream” in Japanese, but in this case refers to the name of an elegant Asian fusion restaurant in Brussels. This is no ordinary dinner, or even…
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We Live Near The Border With Gaza, And We Want The Violence To End
An Open Letter to Israeli Leadership Dear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, We, members of Other Voice — residents of the Western Negev who live close to the border with the Gaza Strip — are writing to you, yet again, in our call for a long-term political program to end the…
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I Was Barred From Speaking At My Temple Because I Work With Muslims
Dear Rabbi, Please know that I don’t write this in anger, but with deep sadness — sadness at the setback we suffered on Friday. As a Jewish man who fights for the civil rights of Muslim New Yorkers, I know how hard it can be to find space for interfaith engagement. That’s why I was…
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How To Talk To Your Children About Suicide
Upon hearing about the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, many are in a state of shock. How could this happen to people who were so wealthy and seemingly happy? Didn’t anyone realize something was wrong? Why didn’t they seek help? However, as a mental health professional, I was not at all surprised. Depression…
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