Opinion

• Opinion

  Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s religious liberty opinions won’t bother most American Jews

  President Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill Justice Breyer’s seat on the Supreme Court. The nomination is no doubt historic: If confirmed, Judge Jackson would be the third Black Supreme Court justice and first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. When it comes to matters of church and state, issues…

  By Michael A. Helfand

  3 min read
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  Opinion

  Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminds us what a Jewish hero looks like

  In November 1987, I visited Soviet refuseniks in Russia as part of a grassroots volunteer organization in Chicago dedicated to helping Soviet Jews. The USSR was in its final days. I recall how few lights were on when my plane landed, a reflection of a nation that struggled to provide basic necessities like electricity. Food…

  By Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz Feb 28, 2022 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  What will you remember from Black History Month?

  On the final day of the shortest month on the nation’s official commemorative calendar, I have a question for everyone: How much will you remember of whatever you learned about Black history this month? Or on our pages, how much of Black Jewish history? I ask that not to point fingers, but to sincerely probe…

  By Robin Washington Feb 27, 2022 | 3 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 A new humanitarian outrage is unfolding in the Middle East. It’s not in Gaza

  

• Nora Berman The left is turning on AOC over Israel — and imperiling its own agenda

  

• Dan Perry Actually, Trump made things between Israel and Iran way worse

  

• Emily Tamkin Zohran Mamdani’s victory proves it: The ‘gotcha’ mode of fighting antisemitism has to go

  

The Latest

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  Opinion

  Ukrainian refugees need our help. Here’s how Jews can act now

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently made an urgent plea to global leaders: “If you don’t help us now, if you fail to offer a powerful assistance to Ukraine, tomorrow the war will knock on your door.” The war is already knocking. Ukrainians — especially women and children — are fleeing their cities, enduring unimaginable risks….

  By Mark Hetfield Feb 27, 2022 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Jewish history is repeating itself in Ukraine. This time, we must fight Putin back

  In 1911, my grandpa Jake was born in the small Hungarian village of Torun in the Carpathian Mountains. While he was still a child, the village became a part of Czechoslovakia, and after World War II, it fell within the borders of Ukraine. My grandpa was just a little boy when World War I broke…

  By Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback Feb 25, 2022 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Ukrainian Jews have thrived under democracy. I pray my ancestral country endures

  In 1929, my great-grandfather was given two weeks to leave Ukraine. Soviet authorities were intent on seizing his business. My great-grandfather Avrum owned a house in Uman and a dacha— a summer home — in Crimea. He was a NEPman— one of the successful traders who sprung up under the New Economic Policy of the…

  By Ed Weinberg Feb 25, 2022 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  I lost my Jewish community after my interfaith marriage, so I built a new one

  “Sure, I do interfaith marriages, but I have conditions,” the portly rabbi said, as he guided us to the two worn leather chairs in front of his desk. Then he sat down and clasped his hands together. A few weeks before, on a warm summer afternoon, my fiance Chris had popped the question at the…

  By Aileen Weintraub Feb 24, 2022 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  Miriam restaurant was sprayed with “f— Jews” graffiti. Here’s why we responded with white roses

  At our table, we savored the plates of hummus, pita and shakshuka. It brought back wonderful memories of Jaffa and Jerusalem, places I haven’t been in a long time. My friends, colleagues and I, 11 of us in total, chose to go to Miriam restaurant as an act of friendship and solidarity with the Jewish…

  By Luke Moon Feb 23, 2022 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  The years I spent in Ukraine taught me a very Jewish concept: hope

  BERLIN (JTA) – I watch what is happening in Ukraine and I feel helpless, scared for the state of the world, terrified for my friends and former students and anxious about the future of the place that I called home for nearly four years of my life. When I first arrived in Ukraine 12 years…

  By Jeremy Borovitz Feb 23, 2022 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Despite childhood bullying, I’m proud of my Indian Jewish identity

  I’ve always viewed myself, growing up with an Indian Jewish mother, as an experimental new dish added to the menu of life. Add one cup of challah, another cup of sari’s and chutney, a dash of Germanic roots and blend vigorously until you get one enthusiastic and occasionally confused me. I have not always appreciated…

  By Sarah Brill Feb 23, 2022 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  That’s Amar’e! Black Orthodox superstars making outreach to the masses

  In a recent HBO special, superstar NBA player and coach Amar’e Stoudemire is seen by millions — not dunking, but davening. He followed that by making headlines in the Jewish world, announcing he’s ready for a shidduch and to remarry. Not to be outdone, another celebrity — top-selling rapper and producer Nissim Black — last…

  By Mordechai Ben Avraham Feb 23, 2022 | 3 min read