Opinion

• Letters

  December 17, 2004

  Rabbi Backs Iowa Plant A December 10 letter to the editor mentions my name in declaring the slaughtering of animals at the AgriProcessors plant in Iowa as non-kosher (“Iowa Slaughterhouse Violates Rabbinic Law”). As I already have written to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I forbid further use of my name as questioning…

  2 min read
• Opinion

  A Lesson in American Civics

  If Bill O’Reilly doesn’t like America’s tradition separating church and state, he should move to Ireland. Rutting for ratings, the host of Fox News’s “O’Reilly Factor” and talk radio’s “Radio Factor” has been “defending” Christmas against threats, real and imagined. Arguing over the claims of religion in the public domain represents a decent American tradition….

  By David Twersky Dec 17, 2004 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  Peace, Sharon and, Yes, Shas

  Ariel Sharon’s self-imposed coalition crisis has already forced Middle East-watchers around the world, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to re-evaluate their long-held views of Israel’s aging enfant terrible. After a 55-year career of brutal military adventurism and relentless territorial expansionism, Sharon appears to have transformed himself magically in the space of 12 months into the world’s…

  Dec 17, 2004 | 4 min read

Columnists View All

• Jay Michaelson What can really be done to prevent antisemitic attacks like Bondi Beach?

  

• Rob Eshman American Jews can’t agree about anything — except Iran

  

• Nora Berman Did crypto-Jews invent the modern tarot deck?

  

• Dan Perry Trump’s new Gaza plan marks a radical break from Israeli policy — can it succeed?

  

• Emily Tamkin Is Mamdani bad or good for Jews? Here’s how to tell

  

The Latest

• Opinion

  When Legislation Matches Our Best Impulses

  This Monday marks the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. This landmark legislation, which remains a stirring case study in the importance of human rights and moral idealism as an instrument of foreign policy, provided the impetus for the mass emigration of Jews from the former Soviet Union and helped propel the…

  By Simeon Kolko Dec 17, 2004 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Less Than Reassuring Words at Columbia University

  The question of whether an anti-Israel atmosphere exists at Columbia University, as alleged in recent news reports, will presumably be answered in an internal investigation. But it’s apparent from a recent event hosted at that Ivy League campus that pro-Israel views, regardless of ideological shading, are under seige. Columbia hosted a November 20 forum titled…

  By Ralph Seliger Dec 10, 2004 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Spooked Agencies

  The nature of a country’s intelligence gathering and military or paramilitary operations has to change in accordance with changing threats to its security. This seems to be a fairly sound national security principle. But as we have seen in recent months and years in both Israel and the United States, the conceptualization and actual implementation…

  By Yossi Alpher Dec 10, 2004 | 4 min read
• Letters

  December 10, 2004

  ‘Chrismukkah’ Holiday Shamefully Plagiarizes We are deeply concerned about the spiritual misrepresentation of a newly created “holiday” called Chrismukkah (“Meppy Chrismukkah!” December 3). While we as Jews and Christians practice our particular traditions, we also want to see the spiritual integrity of both faiths fully protected. Hanukkah and Christmas celebrated during the same period should…

  Dec 10, 2004 | 5 min read
• Opinion

  Let the Voice Of Peace Be Heard

  Immediately after Yasser Arafat’s death, Prime Minister Sharon announced that his test for “exposing the true face” of the new Palestinian leaders would be an end to incitement against Israel in the Palestinian media and education system. The prime minister was correct to insist on an end to inflammatory messages emanating from Palestinian sources. But…

  By Luis Lainer Dec 10, 2004 | 3 min read
• Letters

  December 10, 2004

  Notice of Appl. for Auth. of 823 PARK AVENUE MEZZ, LLC, a foreign limited liability company (LLC). Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/13/04. LLC organized in DE on 7/7/04. NY office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may…

  Dec 10, 2004 | 19 min read
• Opinion

  The Way We War

  Soon after World War II, when I was in my teens, I saw the film version of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, “All Quiet on the Western Front.” The film, produced in 1930, is set during World War I. It was the first “anti-war” film of the sound era, and much as the war it depicted…

  By Leonard Fein Dec 10, 2004 | 4 min read
• 
  Opinion

  Hanukkah, Forever New

  In trying, as we do every year on this page, to understand Hanukkah’s magical hold on the American Jewish imagination, it’s worth examining the holiday’s marvelous malleability, its Zelig-like capacity for embodying the very values that each generation needs it to uphold. Yes, drowning out Bing Crosby is part of the holiday’s appeal, but only…

  Dec 10, 2004 | 4 min read