Opinion

• Opinion

  The best antidote to polarization is exposure

  This article is part of a new series called “On Persuasion.” We asked thought leaders to consider what persuasion means to them. What works in terms of persuading people? Is it moot in 2020? What is the Jewish value of persuasion? Should we be opening our minds to other points of view, or closing them…

  By Josh Hammer

  4 min read
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  Opinion

  The Arch of Titus must come down

  Almost every day of the last month, statues of slave traders and colonialists, racists and missionaries that are prominently displayed in our parks, city halls and public squares have come crashing down in a collective outpouring of rage and hurt. This summer has been a watershed moment in so many ways, and as activists press…

  By Michael Weiner Jul 8, 2020 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  We need a Jewish American Hamilton

  American Jews are showing signs of strain from our concurrent crises: anti-Semitism, the shut down of communal life, the shuttering of schools and the open antagonism over Israeli annexation. Meanwhile, institutional leadership has been caught in the crossfire of a community torn over its first principles and ultimate commitments on issues like racism and Zionism….

  By Ari Hoffman Jul 7, 2020 | 6 min read

Columnists View All

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

  

• Jay Michaelson Mamdani’s victory is an opportunity for Jews to relearn the art of disagreement

  

• Rob Eshman Want to understand what’s wrong with the ‘pro-Palestine’ movement? This Palestinian can help

  

• Nora Berman Did Netanyahu coerce Trump into attacking Iran? No — but he tried with Obama

  

• Dan Perry Trump wants to control the Israeli judiciary. Uh, good luck

  

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

  

The Latest

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  Opinion

  Since we’re debating labels, stop calling it anti-Semitism. It’s Jew hatred.

  Should we capitalize the “b” in Black? Hundreds of publications across the country, including bellwethers like The New York Times and Associated Press, have adjusted their style guides, arguing that capital-B Black reflects a common identity and heritage. It’s time for a similarly introspective debate about the language we use to describe discrimination against Jews….

  By Stephen D. Smith Jul 7, 2020 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Trump’s attacks on ‘left-wing cultural revolution’ are an anti-Semitic dogwhistle

  On Friday, President Trump rang in Fourth of July weekend with a speech and fireworks display at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, a stark contrast with the large number of fireworks displays that were canceled across the rest of the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though the Rushmore celebration attracted much attention for the…

  By Joel Swanson Jul 6, 2020 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  Trump enabled China’s abuse of Uighurs. This is a ‘Never Again’ election.

  China has come in for a cascade of criticism in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and became a pandemic due to the government’s botched initial response. Lost in the mix, however, has been the other misdeeds of the Chinese authorities, not least atrocities committed against the…

  By Aaron Keyak Jul 6, 2020 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  These are divided times. 4 tips for civil debate on difficult topics.

  This article is part of a new series called “On Persuasion.” We asked thought leaders to consider what persuasion means to them. What works in terms of persuading people? Is it moot in 2020? What is the Jewish value of persuasion? Should we be opening our minds to other points of view, or closing them…

  By Zaid Jilani Jul 6, 2020 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Tim Scott refuses to call out Trump’s racist behavior — again

  Today, the President once again made a racist statement on Twitter. Tweeting about the only black NASCAR driver, who mistakenly thought a noose was intended as a hate crime against him, Trump then tweeted disapprovingly of NASCAR’s recent decision to ban the Confederate flag. “Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!” He wrote. Has @BubbaWallace…

  By Issac J. Bailey Jul 6, 2020 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  The right – and wrong – way to handle anti-Semitism on college campus

  At two universities on opposite ends of the country, student government leaders recently found themselves mired in controversy for promoting anti-Semitism online. In June, the student senate president of Florida State University, Ahmad Daraldik, was revealed to have posted hateful messages to his social media accounts, including “#f—kisrael” and “stupid jew thinks he is cool”…

  By Yael Lerman Jul 6, 2020 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  ‘Only a racist believes in race:’ On Germany’s failed attempt to erase race

  The first time I was asked about my race was when I came to the U.S. as a Ph.D. student in history more than thirty years ago. One of the questions in Columbia University’s application form was about race. I had to think about which box to check. I knew I was neither Black nor…

  By Michael Brenner Jul 5, 2020 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Woodrow Wilson was a hero to Jews. What should we do with his racism?

  The man whom African Americans revile as a villain turns out to have been a hero to the Jewish people

  By Jonathan D. Sarna Jul 2, 2020 | 4 min read