Algebra, like other branches of mathematics, was not something our ancient rabbis took an interest in. It was the Greeks and Arabs who developed it and the Arabs who gave us our name for it, which derives from the Arabic noun jabr. The root meaning of jabr is, curiously, the repair of a broken bone,…
Even as the White House races to discredit former U.S. anti-terrorism chief Richard Clarke, Bush administration officials and their allies appear to be steering clear of one politically loaded piece of evidence. A 1992 report by Sherman Funk, then inspector general of the State Department, alleged that Clarke overlooked Israel’s illegal sale of American weapons…
The following is in excerpt from “The Argument,” a short story by Rachel Kadish, winner of the 2004 Koret Young Writer on Jewish Themes Award. Kadish’s first novel, “From a Sealed Room,” was published in 1998. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Story, Zoetrope, Tin House and Bomb, and have been anthologized in…
WASHINGTON — Despite his mounting legal and political problems at home, Prime Minister Sharon is making headway in securing U.S. support for his unilateral withdrawal plan and aggressive efforts to crush Hamas, according to American and Israeli sources. Encouraged by the relatively mild response of Arab leaders to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed…
Foiglman By Aharon Megged, translated by Marganit Weinberger-Rotman Toby Press, 277 pages, $19.95. * * *| For those readers acquainted with the torrent of novels, story collections, reportage and histories pouring out of Israel, it is hard not to be struck by the wrenching re-examination of the past that characterizes much of it. It is…
It’s hard to believe “Sesame Street” is turning 35. It still looks so dewy and youthful. Big Bird still peers out at the world with his big innocent unwrinkled birdie eyes; nerdy Bert still does his patented slow burn at Ernie’s goofball antics; Oscar still snarls when excessive sappiness and sentiment get too near his…
There are many reasons to celebrate The Turner Classic Movies restoration of Edward F. Cline’s charming 1925 ethnic comedy “The Rag Man.” Not least, it offers a chance for audiences to finally watch a full-scale, feature-length performance by the famed but mostly forgotten Jewish performer Max Davidson. He was exceedingly popular early in the 20th…
Just when you thought the issue had faded from view, Mel Gibson’s controversial film about the torture and death of Jesus again is causing conflict, this time in Arab Muslim countries. Again, the dispute revolves around the film’s depiction of Jews. As it did in the United States, Gibson’s bloody hit “The Passion of the…
Braving an unseasonable blizzard, 400 boosters of ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel headed to Sotheby’s for the March 16 benefit, where they helped raise $500,000. Greetings by ELEM/America president Ann Bialkin were followed by an invocation by Rabbi Arthur Schneier of Park East Synagogue, anecdotes by emcee Jason Flom, president of Lava Records, and comments…
In a major victory for their advocates, twin congressional resolutions were introduced this week urging the president to raise the issue of the plight of some 900,000 Jews who left Arab countries 50 years ago in future Middle East peace talks. The parallel measures were introduced in the Senate by Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania Republican,…
The weekly Torah portion of last week, Vayikra, and of this week, Tsav — the first eight chapters of Leviticus — present in great detail the various rituals and sacrifices performed by the priests in ancient Israel. Instead of concentrating on a particular aspect of the portion, this week’s column is devoted to a lesson…
