Opinion

• Opinion

  Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Illegal

  The United States Senate passed a moral test of historic magnitude this week when it approved a procedural measure that revives the much debated, much delayed overhaul of America’s immigration laws. The immigration reform bill itself is not something commonly spoken of in high moral terms. The product of months of horse-trading by Democrats and…

  3 min read
• Opinion

  Is an Embryo a Person?

  President Bush, contrary to popular impression, is not opposed to the use of stem cells in the treatment of patients. He is opposed to the use of embryonic stem cells. These are stem cells to be found in an embryo. This is based on a belief that human life begins at conception. The embryo is…

  By Gus Tyler Jun 22, 2007 | < 1 min read
• Letters

  June 22, 2007

  TB Can’t Spread by Hand Tuberculosis is not spread by handshaking, as Jenna Weissman Joselit claims in an otherwise interesting and informative June 8 article (“In the News Again, Tuberculosis Victims Have History of Seeking Cures Far and Wide”). The disease is spread by the airborne route: Germs are contained in the air coughed out…

  Jun 22, 2007 | 4 min read

Columnists View All

• Jodi Rudoren This is my last column as editor of the Forward

  

• Jay Michaelson American Jews were played — now what?

  

• Rob Eshman There’s a shocking new report on civilian deaths in Gaza. If only it were accurate.

  

• Nora Berman Is Netflix’s new show the most Jewish cartoon ever?

  

• Dan Perry Israel’s new gift to the far right could help end the Gaza war

  

• Emily Tamkin Entering motherhood — and an obsession with the works of an Italian Jewish literary hero

  

The Latest

• Opinion

  One Palestine, Kaput

  Gaza’s dramatic, bloody descent into chaos last week pushed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back to the center of the world’s consciousness with a sudden force that was matched only by its profound unfamiliarity. For the first time in recent memory, Palestinians were suffering hellish violence and privation in which Israeli hands had no part. Most of…

  Jun 20, 2007 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  How Jews Became Not Just White Folks

  In the past several months three different organizations have held gatherings highlighting the growing racial-ethnic diversity of the American Jewish population. They have been advocating a “big tent” approach, pushing the organized community to adapt to perceived demographic changes. The statistical portrait of American Jews, however, shows that those who are “Jews by religion” overwhelmingly…

  By Bethamie Horowitz Jun 20, 2007 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Put Hate Crimes on the Human Rights Agenda

  In February 2006, Ilan Halimi was found just outside Paris, half-naked, stabbed, and burned with cigarettes and acid. He died soon after — tortured and murdered for being a Jew. Stories of this nature rightfully horrify people everywhere. The disturbing truth is that we are living in a time of growing European antisemitism. France recorded…

  By Michael Posner Jun 20, 2007 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  A Tasty Piece of History Is Sold

  My childhood bakery, Gertel’s, is closing this Friday. I feel like crying. The blog rumors have been flying for over a year. The building was sold. Walking past it was like visiting a terminally ill patient in a hospice; each week was possibly its last. The Hester Street store, a Lower East Side fixture for…

  By Nancy Brenner Jun 20, 2007 | 2 min read
• Opinion

  Before the West Bank Turns to Hamas

  Within 24 hours of my arrival in Israel, I am treated to virtually every conceivable reaction to the Hamas conquest of Gaza. One friend, who knows well my longstanding belief that only a two-state solution can finally put this conflict to rest, says smugly, “So, who do you want us to negotiate with now?” Another…

  By Leonard Fein Jun 20, 2007 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  Austria’s Past Cannot Be Buried With Kurt Waldheim

  For two decades, Kurt Waldheim was the most ignominious name associated with modern Austria and a permanent black spot on its international reputation. But even though the former Austrian president and U.N. secretary general, who died last week at age 88, never showed true remorse for lying about his past, he inadvertently turned out to…

  By Eric Frey Jun 19, 2007 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  High Hope From High Court

  It isn’t often that the U.S. Supreme Court gets involved deeply in matters dealing with environmental pollution. But several weeks ago, it ruled that the federal government could regulate greenhouse gases. This historic decision prompted California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to proclaim that he will sue the Environmental Protection Agency to give him the power to…

  By Gus Tyler Jun 18, 2007 | < 1 min read
• Opinion

  Dirty Dealing In Detroit

  The Big Three in Detroit — Ford, GM and the Chrysler complex — are demanding major cuts in employee benefits as the industry and union get ready for a new contract. This is a reversal of what has over the years been the customary procedure. Traditionally, the union made demands and in collective bargaining has…

  By Gus Tyler Jun 18, 2007 | < 1 min read