In the Forward’s opinion section, you’ll find analysis and essays from diverse corners of the Jewish world.
To pitch an opinion piece, email our Opinion Editor, Talya Zax.
Opinion
-
Opinion
Looking Beyond Israel’s Withdrawal From Gaza…
The headlines from the Middle East these days are full of optimism. Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have been all smiles since this month’s summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, and Sunday’s Israeli Cabinet approval of the Gaza disengagement plan is being taken as a major step toward finally ending the conflict. The…
-
Opinion …And the Debate It Sparked Among American Jewish Advocates
Last year, Prime Minister Sharon put forward a plan to withdraw Jewish settlements from Gaza and the northern West Bank. His plan was approved by his government and was supported by nearly three-quarters of Israel’s citizens. It subsequently won the endorsement of the Bush administration, and clearly has the support of the great majority of…
-
Opinion …And the Debate It Sparked Among American Jewish Advocates
Among his activities, uninformed criticism of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations appears to be one of Rabbi Eric Yoffie’s most frequent (“Confront the Extremists in Our Midst,” February 11). In his latest missive, his ignorance of the Presidents Conference’s statements of support for Israel’s policies, including for its disengagement plan, has…
Columnists View All
The Latest
-
Opinion What Palestinians Need in Order To Believe in the Peace Process
Since a cease-fire was declared February 8 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Palestinian people have demonstrated their desire to end the bloodshed with Israel. We have acknowledged that the security of Israeli and Palestinian civilians is a legitimate concern. Moreover, the recent elections in Palestine have demonstrated to the world that the Palestinian people are committed…
-
Opinion A Word From Belfast
In Northern Ireland, as in many conflict zones, the outline of a final peace settlement is clear. When we are collectively ready for it, a group of well-meaning old enemies will work it out on the back of a postcard over lunch. A peace process is a corrupting and hypocritical business. It falls between two…
-
Opinion Trembling Before Saying ‘God”
God. There, I’ve said it. And I didn’t flinch. That’s the big divide, according to Frank Luntz, a Republican strategist who first came to prominence when he helped draft Newt Gingrich’s late and unlamented “Contract With America” back in 1994. Now Luntz is freely dispensing advice to Democrats in search of “values.” Or, more properly,…
-
Opinion Why We Must Raise the Alarm
In an opinion article in the February 5 issue of The New York Times, the national editor of the Forward argues that “it is time Jews recognize that the old strategies no longer work…. Jewish organizations and advocates of Israel fail to grasp that they are no longer viewed as the voice of the disenfranchised….
-
Opinion What Dean Said
Howard Dean carries a lot of baggage with him to his new post as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Coming fresh from his failed presidential bid last year, he brings far more visibility and authority to the post than his predecessors did. He will be in a position to offer real leadership to a…
-
Opinion How To Fix a Charity
The world of Jewish charity and community organization has been offered a rare opportunity for growth and adaptation with the publication this month of “From Predictability to Chaos?” the penetrating study of the United Jewish Communities by a pair of communal experts at Hebrew Union College, Gerald Bubis and Steven Windmueller. The study offers important…
-
Letters February 18, 2005
Privatized Religion Thank you for showing us a new side of Gary Bauer: comedy writer (“It’s ‘One Nation Under God,’ or America Goes Under,” February 11). I especially enjoyed the line, “Is it a coincidence that as Europe’s churches empty, its antisemitism and hatred of Israel grow?” Hysterical. Because of course nothing bad ever happened…
-
Letters February 11, 2005
Fiction on the Orthodox Affects Societal Views My January 30 New York Times Book Review essay on fictional representation of Orthodox Judaism seems to have touched a nerve. Arts and culture writer Tova Mirvis, like other letter writers and bloggers, accuses me of trying to impose ideological standards on writers (“Judging a Book by Its…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
News Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s selection as JTS commencement speaker roils graduating class
- 2
Film & TV A new documentary challenges stereotypes about Orthodox Jewish women — and their wigs
- 3
News Analysis: As Democrats unite behind Platner, Schumer’s future as leader faces tests
- 4
Sports NBA coach Steve Kerr: ‘Israel sought revenge for Oct. 7 and now 72,000 Palestinians have been killed’
In Case You Missed It
-
Fast Forward ADL says antisemitic incidents dropped by a third in 2025, but assaults reached record levels
-
News Protesters picket Manhattan synagogue over Israel real estate sale, testing Mamdani and new law
-
Fast Forward A best-selling novelist identified a minor character as Israeli. Some fans are canceling their orders.
-
Fast Forward Boulder hostage-march firebombing suspect to plead guilty to state charges