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
-
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
-
How To Build A Successful Community Garden — In Ultra-Orthodox Parts Of Israel
The centrality of nature to the Israeli ethos is undeniable. Its citizens are infatuated with the country’s incomparable natural beauty and celebrate it constantly. Boasting some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, diverse eco-systems, and unique wildlife, Israel’s abundant biodiversity serves as a key component of the population’s vibrant culture and history. Still, many Israelis…
-
No, Orthodox Ritual Is Not To Blame For Tragic Fires
Today, The Forward’s esteemed Editor-at-Large, J.J. Goldberg, penned an opinion piece in response to the tragic fire in a Brooklyn home that killed an Orthodox mother and three of her children early Monday morning. The headline took me aback. “Why So Many Brooklyn Orthodox Jews Are Dying In Tragic Fires” seems to blame the victims…
The Latest
-
Has Birthright Been Successful?
Launched in 1999, Birthright Israel was a “disruptive innovation” designed to arrest the assimilation of the next generation of Diaspora Jews by seeking to universalize an Israel educational experience. The program had many skeptics who, though committed to Jewish education focused on children and teenagers, believed that Birthright was too brief, too superficial, and too…
-
I’m An Observant Jew — And I Love Christmas
Every year, from Thanksgiving Eve until New Year’s Day, there is a feeling in the air of Christmas — and Hanukkah, multiple Shabbatot, many simchas and professional parties. Christmas is basically a traditional Jewish way of life. We know Jesus Christ was Jewish, and that for centuries our people have been the targets of anti-Semitism…
-
My Hanukkah Miracle In A Nursing Home
It was the 8th night of Hanukkah, and few of the 80 Jewish residents at the Manhattan nursing home where I worked as a recreation therapist worked really cared. The overwhelmingly non-Jewish residents celebrated with trees, special programs, and greetings relating to their holiday. But nevertheless, I made a Hanukkah party, which was heartening for…
-
Hilchos Marijuanakkah
The holiday of lights is super lit. Get holy and high with these Hilchot Marijuanakkah, the real high holy daze. 1) One must light one joint for the first night, and two joints for the second, etc. One must go up in number, not down. 2) One must share their stuff because of the commandment…
-
What Jews Know About Happiness
Some time ago I learned that Jews are the happiest people in America. Out of hundreds of thousands of interviewees, religious and secular Jews scored the highest overall points on Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index of 2011, which included happiness level. As a Jew myself, I would have never guessed it. I associated this culture with the…
-
What Our Elected Officials Could Learn From The Talmudic Sages
While many Jews have been elected into Congress in our nation’s history, not one rabbi has ever been elected — but given the current political climate, Congress and our elected officials stand much to gain from the wisdom, methodology, and civility of the ancient rabbis of the Talmud. To start, the rabbis self-imposed high standards…
-
I Rescued My Synagogue’s Torah Scrolls From Los Angeles Inferno
Shortly after 5:00 am on Wednesday, December 6th, my ringing phone startled me from my sleep. “Wake up,” a member of my congregation said, “The hills are all on fire.” I quickly turned on my television and saw flames engulfing the massive hillsides framing the Sepulveda Pass, the main thoroughfare through the northwest part of…
-
My Fellow Jews: Just Relax And Enjoy The Christmas Music.
While anticipating the harmonious a cappella of Christmas Carols at my doorstep, I recall the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” The music of Christmas represents peace, joy and hope and it has become a genre of its very own. But contrary to common thought, Christmas in America was…
-
The Post-Soviet Jews Still Need Us.
In my travels, I’ve seen a lot: the last Jewish woman in a tiny Siberian village, fetching firewood by herself on a frigid February morning; fiercely talented Jewish children dancing in traditional Georgian costumes in the village of Gori, where Stalin was born; hundreds of teens from across the former Soviet Union coming together to…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Culture Trump wants to honor Hannah Arendt in a ‘Garden of American Heroes.’ Is this a joke?
- 2
Opinion The dangerous Nazi legend behind Trump’s ruthless grab for power
- 3
Fast Forward The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real.
- 4
Opinion A Holocaust perpetrator was just celebrated on US soil. I think I know why no one objected.
In Case You Missed It
-
Yiddish יצחק באַשעװיסעס מיינונגען וועגן די אַמעריקאַנער ייִדןIsaac Bashevis’ opinion of American Jews
אין זײַנע „פֿאָרווערטס“־אַרטיקלען האָט ער קריטיקירט זייער צוגאַנג צום חורבן און צו ייִדישקײט.
-
Culture In a Haredi Jerusalem neighborhood, doctors’ visits are free, but the wait may cost you
-
Fast Forward Chicago mayor donned keffiyeh for Arab Heritage Month event, sparking outcry from Jewish groups
-
Fast Forward The invitation said, ‘No Jews.’ The response from campus officials, at least, was real.
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
