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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Why Did The Holocaust Museum Omit A Key Advocate For Jews?
One of the most important Americans to speak out against the Holocaust has been omitted from the U.S. Holocaust Museum’s new exhibit on “Americans and the Holocaust.” How could this have happened? James G. McDonald (1886-1964) was an unlikely figure to end up playing a prominent role in Jewish affairs. A Catholic from the Midwest…
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I Used To Call For Boycotts Of Israel — Until I Spoke With Holocaust Survivors
I had always associated the words ‘stage fright’ with my sweaty palms and shaking legs before a concert. Will I hit that high note correctly? Will my runs be perfectly legato? Will I remember to breathe before I open my mouth to sing? I never realized that defending my dissertation would be an equally nerve…
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My Disarming Jewish Encounter With The Deep South
Many years ago, I was being seriously recruited by a major public university in the Deep South. My mid-winter visit to the campus had gone swimmingly, and I have to admit that I found myself engaged by the place – the students were deferential and the climate was balmy. The last stop on my itinerary…
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Do We Still Have To Follow The Ten Commandments?
There is a great political cartoon I saw recently entitled “Genesis of the Trial Attorney.” The single-framed cartoon depicts Moses coming down the mountain with the tablets of stone in his hands. The Jewish people stand below, seemingly ready to accept the law in its fullness, when one man comes forward with confidence and opines,…
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7 Tips for Enjoying Shavuot — Without Wrecking Your Health
As Shavuot approaches, you may be planning a celebration that involves a lot of heavy, dairy-rich foods — and you may also be wondering how you can enjoy your favorite treats and still stay on track, health-wise. You’re not alone if you find that the holidays make it difficult make healthy choices. Whether you’re hosting…
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The Misinterpretation Of The Diaries Of Anne Frank And Luis De Carvajal, El Mozo
Myths and martyrs hold significant space in Jewish storytelling and Jewish belief, and there are no two texts that prove this quite like “The Diary of Anne Frank” and the “Memoirs of Luis de Carvajal, El Mozo.” Anne Frank was one of eight people captured by the Nazis in the Secret Annex, and Luis de…
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The Healthiest Cheesecake Ever
With Shavuot quickly approaching, it’s likely that you’ve got rich, dairy-filled treats on the brain. Cheddar kugels and blintzes, goat cheese tarts and baked brie are all festive fare that make for the perfect holiday spread — and, of course, there’s cheesecake. Rich and full of flavor, cheesecake is a Shavuot no-brainer, right? Well, not…
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Why Is Amnesty International Providing Excuses For Hamas?
For many years, Amnesty International has been a leader in the intense political war to demonize Israel using the façade of international law and human rights. Using the organization’s vast resources, officials have issued a torrent of statements, “reports,” and social media posts in this assault, including calls for war crimes investigations by the International…
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Iran’s Regime Violently Expelled Its Jews. Why Are American Jews Giving Them A Pass?
President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran Deal on May 8. The following day marked a very painful anniversary for many Iranian Jews worldwide: 39 years since the unjust execution of our community leader Habib Elghanian at the hands of the current Iranian regime and Ayatollah Khomeini. While many American Jews may not…
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He Went Viral For Mocking A Jewish Child’s Hair — But Will Be Remembered For His Heartfelt Apology
On Friday May 4, Yonkers resident Quai James posted a short video making fun of a Hasidic child’s haircut, filmed in a Hasidic community in Brooklyn. The film quickly went viral, and Jewish community members were outraged. Soon after, James issued a heartfelt video apology — and stopped by the Forward’s offices the next week…
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What The Amish And Orthodox Jews Can Teach Us About Addiction
The popular media loves a good scandal in the Orthodox world — just as it does among the Amish. The secret life of America’s modern Amish captivates readers even in Australia, about as far away from the Amish as you can get. But aside from serving as mass entertainment, these two very different cultures can…
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Culture Hitler is trending on TikTok again — and they’re trying to make him seem like a nice guy
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Culture You can buy Sukkot gift boxes that say ‘tuchus’ on Amazon
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Fast Forward Sitcom star encourages non-Jews like her to hang mezuzahs on their homes
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Opinion A maelstrom around Rashida Tlaib shows how broken discourse about the war has become
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