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
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Opinion
Hanukkah’s Lesson? The Israel-Diaspora Divide Is Central To Our Tradition
Hannukah may be ranked as a minor holiday by rabbinic tradition, but it’s anything but minor to American and Israeli Jews. A survey from 2018 found that two-thirds of American Jews view Hanukkah as “one of the three most important holidays.” 60% of American Jews light candles each night, as do 73% of Israeli Jews….
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Opinion Meet The Forward’s New Columnists
As we come to the end of an intense news year in the Jewish world and the dawn of a whole new decade, we are rededicating ourselves to one of the Forward’s core missions: being a platform for civil discourse on the issues that divide our communities. In service of that mission, we are adding…
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Opinion Forward 50: Meet The Machers And Shakers Who Influenced, Intrigued And Inspired Us This Year
There is something both satisfying and terrifying about making a list. The very act of compiling — a to-do list, a bucket list, a gratitude list — can clarify priorities even to yourself. To accomplish or buy or even just remember these things becomes more important because they’re written down. What is left off may…
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The Latest
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Opinion Yasher Coach, Elissa Slotkin. Your Honorable Service Made Me Proud To Be Your Constituent.
On September 23, a week before the High Holidays, my congresswoman, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, joined seven other national security Democrats in declaring their support of an impeachment inquiry in President Donald Trump. A week later, when she arrived for Erev Rosh Hashanah services at one of our Metro Detroit synagogues, she was met with…
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Opinion Black Jews Are Being Forced To Answer For Jersey City. It’s Disgraceful.
Being black and Jewish, I’ve heard it all. “What’s your story? How did you become Jewish? Did you convert? Are one of your parents white?” My whole life, the self-appointed gatekeepers of American Jewry, almost always white people, have found my Judaism incomprehensible. Now, after the killing last week in Jersey City of four people…
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Opinion What Israel Can Learn From The Hasmoneans
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Israel is locked in conflict over how to treat non-Jewish people living in the land. Stark divisions are growing between radically different visions of what being Jewish means. Tensions are rising as lines blur between religious and civil authority. And the nation’s relationship with the world’s dominant superpower…
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Opinion Letter | Sorry: Bernie Sanders’ Campaign Has An Anti-Semitism Problem
Dear Editor: On Tuesday, the Forward published a piece by Peter Beinart titled, “Of Course They’re Accusing Bernie Sanders Of Anti-Semitism — Because He Supports Palestinians.” In the piece, Mr. Beinart blasts what he sees as phony allegations of anti-Semitism against Sanders. It is Sanders’ support of the Palestinians, Beinart argues, that is the reason…
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Opinion It’s Time To Stop Lecturing And Start Listening To Young Jews
When I travel, I hear many people my age ask, “Why don’t our young people join synagogues? Or give to their federations? Why don’t they stand up for Israel? Why don’t they go to Hillel?” In short, they’re asking, why can’t they be more like us? Indeed, the war between the boomers and the millennials…
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Opinion Have Your Say | Can A Latke Be A Latke Without Potatoes?
Have Your Say is your chance to tell us what you think. Comment below or on Facebook and let us know what you think about the question posed in the headline. We’ll incorporate your answers in a story later in the week! Have your say: Can A Latke Be A Latke Without Potatoes? — The…
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Opinion Letter | Jews Who Support Trump Are A Shanda
Dear Editor: I am writing in response to Rabbi Eliezer Brand’s recent article), “The Real Reason Orthodox Jews Love Trump (Hint: It’s Not Israel).” I am a humanistic, secular Jew, a refugee from Nazi Germany, a Holocaust survivor, an attorney, and a lifelong fighter for the rights of women. My complaint is not with regard…
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Opinion Of Course They’re Accusing Bernie Sanders Of Anti-Semitism – Because He Supports Palestinians
Given Bernie Sanders’ endurance as a top-tier presidential contender, and his support for Palestinian rights, it was almost inevitable that conservatives would start labelling his campaign anti-Semitic. Last week’s election in Britain—and the alleged similarities between Sanders and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn—provided the pretext. “Linda Sarsour Is Too Antisemitic For The Women’s March, But…
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Fast Forward Unarmed man who tackled Bondi Beach Hanukkah attacker identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed
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Fast Forward First Puka Nacua, now Mookie Betts: Why do sports stars keep getting antisemitic around a Jewish streamer?
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Fast Forward After MIT professor’s killing, Jewish influencers spread unverified antisemitism claim
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Opinion I grew up believing Australia was the best place to be Jewish. This Hanukkah shooting forces a reckoning I do not want.
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Fast Forward In Reykjavik, Hanukkah offers a chance for Iceland’s tiny, isolated Jewish community to come together
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Opinion When my children decorate for Hanukkah, I don’t just see pride. I see pluralism in action.
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Fast Forward ‘The most Australian name’: Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach attack, embodies a nation’s grief
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