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 I’m Becoming An Orthodox Jewish Marine
Ever since I was a little boy, I dreamed of joining the American military. As a child, my reasoning was expectedly juvenile. I wanted to have a uniform, I wanted to carry a gun, I wanted to be applauded during the 7th inning stretch. As I grew up, I developed more genuine reasons for wanting…
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Jews Should Have Taught Our Children How To Intermarry
Almost thirty years ago, my father invited me to attend a round table discussion on intermarriage. He was a leader in the local Jewish community, a vice president of an important Jewish organization. I was a rabbinical student, with clear instructions – sit in the corner; shut up. The various machers went around the room…
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The Untold Story Of Racism Against Israel’s African Refugees
A version of this article originally appeared on 972mag.com. As a social worker in south Tel Aviv working with African asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan, I have seen my fair share of racism and opposition from Israeli politicians and residents in these neighborhoods. Let’s be clear on one thing, south Tel Aviv is not…
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Want To See A Real ‘Shithole?’ Read This Week’s Torah Portion.
You want to know what a shithole looks like? If we read this week’s Torah portion, we see that ancient Egypt, where they enslaved the Jews, that place was a shithole! I’m pretty sure that just about everyone would agree — from Biblical scholars to Disney Studios to the Pope — no one would hold…
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I Was Slut-Shamed By My Modern Orthodox High School For Kissing A Boy
To protect the identities of all parties involved, the author of this piece prefers to remain anonymous. To send comments to the author, email us. In ninth grade, I made out with a guy for the first time. We were both freshmen at a large Modern Orthodox Jewish high school and were somewhat friendly beforehand….
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Meet The Nice Yeshiva Boy Behind The Grammy’s Hottest NYC Party
Welcome Back Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards will be returning to New York on January 28, 2018. The show will be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden. You Don’t Have To Be Jewish With Cindy followers will have a unique opportunity to party with attendees, nominees and the movers and shakers involved in the ceremony…
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4 Smart Ways To Talk About Israel — Without Losing Your Temper
Israel today is a nuclear power with a thriving economy, and Diaspora Jews experience unprecedented social acceptance, political power, and wealth. Yet across the political spectrum, Jews are increasingly divided over how to respond to a wide variety of perceived crises. Military threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, combined with the sheer force of demography,…
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When Fighting For The Rights Of Female Clergy, Don’t Forget The Cantors
In the Jewish world, cantors are often regarded as second-class members of the clergy, if they are regarded as clergy at all. For a long time, the role of the cantor was a musician, a service-leader, and nothing more. While this is no longer the case, the stigma still exists, and female cantors tend to…
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MeToo Stories Are As Old As The Bible Itself
Have you heard about the prominent political, religious activist who in a meeting with a foreign dignitary presented his wife as his sister, thereby initiating the hosting diplomat’s sexual predatory advances to his very own spouse? This clip may not have circulated as widely on social media as it wasn’t taken from yesterday’s headlines. This…
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My Fellow Jews: You Don’t Have To Be White To Be White™
“You don’t need to be white to be White™.” So said the comment on a contentious Facebook post in Columbia University’s premier meme sharing platform, columbia buy sell memes. The comment was in reference was to a ‘starter pack’ meme that ridiculed the generic wealthy lifestyle of those at Columbia who support republicans. It depicted…
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Who Is The Real Victim In The Seduction Story Of Joseph And Potiphar’s Wife?
In the book of Genesis, Joseph works for an Egyptian master, Potiphar, and has control over all of his master’s worldly goods. He’s handsome and young — and Potiphar’s wife desire’s him. She asks him to sleep with her but he declines. Day after day she persists, and finally, on a day when no one…
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