Opinion

• Opinion

  The Case For Bernie Sanders, The Only Real Progressive In The Race (Sorry, Warren Fans)

  On Wednesday morning, news broke that Vermont Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was taking time off from the campaign trail after he had received two stents to the heart. He had felt some chest pain at a rally, which turned out to be a blocked artery. The Senator is currently recovering, and “in good…

  By Jaya Sundaresh

  5 min read
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  Opinion

  It’s Time For The Jewish Community To Do Teshuva For Its Treatment of Jews Of Color

  The high holidays are a great time for reflection, community, spirituality, and celebration. But for many Jews of color, parents and partners from other faith traditions and those experiencing Judaism for the first time, it is also a time to stay on high alert. Many will have had their Rosh Hashanahs marred by shattering experiences…

  By Jared Jackson Oct 2, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  As We Leave This Horrifying Year Behind, Let’s Recommit to The Jewish Value Of Civil Discourse

  The most important Jewish thing I did in 5779 did not take place in a synagogue, in Israel, or at summer camp. It did not involve prayer, a specific one of the 613 commandments, or even food (though I’m pretty sure I had some unkosher chicken sausage for breakfast just before). The most important Jewish…

  By Jodi Rudoren Sep 29, 2019 | 5 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 billionaire Gen Z influencer is reinventing philanthropy — with this South African rabbi’s help

  

• Nora Berman Is Netflix’s new show the most Jewish cartoon ever?

  

• Dan Perry Israel’s strike in Qatar: An audacious bid for victory, or just another foolhardy provocation?

  

• Emily Tamkin Trump’s attack on George Soros is ludicrous. It also endangers Jews (and everyone else)

  

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  Opinion

  How Palestinian Israelis Humiliated The BDS Movement

  It’s been several days since Israeli politician Ayman Odeh made the historic announcement that he, as the leader of the Arab bloc in the Knesset, would recommend Benny Gantz as Prime Minister. It was a stunning development, after decades of Arab parties boycotting the recommendation process. And many American Jews were quick to notice the…

  By Mark Horowitz Sep 26, 2019 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Israel Is Deporting Critics Like Omar Shakir. But It Can’t Hide The Occupation Forever.

  In the next few days, Israeli courts will decide the fate of Human Rights Watch’s Israel-Palestine Director Omar Shakir. They will decide whether to allow him to stay and continue his work reporting human rights abuses or to adhere to an anti-democratic law and deport him. Whatever the court decides, one thing is clear: Omar…

  By Libby Lenkinski Sep 26, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  The Socialist History That Explains Bernie Sanders’ Jewishness

  Since launching his first campaign for the candidacy for the Democratic nomination, there’s been no shortage of ink spilled debating Bernie Sanders’s Jewishness. Scrutiny — often unfair — hinging on Sanders’s criticism of Israel, disinterest in synagogue, and non-Jewish spouse — has turned into an exercise in exclusion. Yet elsewhere, the senator has been seized…

  By Joshua Meyers Sep 26, 2019 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  No, Israeli Democracy Is Not ‘Fine’

  Last week, Bret Stephens penned a New York Times column entitled, “Israel’s democracy is doing just fine.” With their “rebuke” of Benjamin Netanyahu at the polls, Stephens declared, “Israelis showed that demagogy doesn’t work.” This week, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin gave Netanyahu the opportunity to form Israel’s next government. Netanyahu could fail to do so,…

  By Peter Beinart Sep 26, 2019 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  As Anti-Semitism Rises, Can We Still Criticize Our Own?

  As anti-Semitism continues to rise in our streets and Jewish identities are being stolen by white supremacists intent on stoking division, many in the Jewish community are calling for unity. But an insidious infighting of a new sort has begun to take shape over whether we are allowed to criticize Jewish groups at a time…

  By Frimet Goldberger Sep 25, 2019 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  The Summary Of Trump’s Ukraine Call Proves Pelosi Was Right To Wait For Impeachment

  Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the right choice at the right time. In announcing the intention of the House of Representatives to pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, Speaker Pelosi made an important statement on protecting constitutional norms and the nation’s institutions. By striking at the right time, rather than rushing into an impeachment…

  By Abe Silberstein Sep 25, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Can I Forgive The Man Who Beat Me And Terrorized My Kids If He Won’t Say Sorry?

  Here’s what I’ve learned this year. Apologizing is easy. Forgiveness is harder. Nearly a year ago, our family home was broken into by a man with a knife. We’ve spent many months grappling with how, and if, our lives should change as a result. With the days of repentance approaching, my thoughts turn towards forgiveness….

  By Leah Bieler Sep 25, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  This High Holiday Season, Commit To Joining The Fight Against Climate Change

  The high holidays are a time of personal and communal reckoning. These are the sins we have committed, we recite. Before the beginning of Yom Kippur, even before Kol Nidrei, the prayer leader or shaliach tzibbur recites “with the consent of God … we allow ourselves to pray with transgressors.” We are in this together….

  By Yonatan Malin Sep 25, 2019 | 3 min read