In the Forward’s opinion section, you’ll find analysis and essays from diverse corners of the Jewish world.
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Opinion
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Opinion
Why Do So Many Sephardic Jews Have Christian Lastnames?
There’s a curious phenomenon which may be unfamiliar to American Jews: Many Germans who have no Jewish ancestors commonly use surnames like Rosenberg, Rosenthal, Meier, Weill, Schuster and Landau. The same is true of Sephardic Jews: Names like Henriques, Lopez, Mendes, Rodriguez and Pereira are commonly used by both Sephardic Jews and by Iberian Christians…
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Opinion Wake Up, American Jews: Donald Trump Is A Huge Threat
As a French Jew, I am often asked about anti-Semitism in France. Without fail, the last question at any appearance I make is the same: Should French Jews leave and move to Israel or America? I always insist that Jews have played an instrumental role in founding modern-day France, and if anyone is going to…
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Opinion ‘Does Israel Have A Right To Exist’ Is A Trick Question.
There’s a famous scene in the 1992 movie “My Cousin Vinny” where the out of work hairdresser Mona Lisa Vito, played by Marisa Tomei, takes the witness stand to provide expert testimony. The prosecutor, aiming to discredit and belittle Vito, asks her a convoluted question about the precise engine timing of a specific car. “That’s…
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Opinion It’s Not Farewell, It’s L’hitraot
I start with the difficult news: This will be my last Jane Looking Forward newsletter, at least in its current form. I’ve been asked to step down as editor-in-chief, effective at the end of this month, and am evaluating what role I would like to have in the future with Forward management. But that’s not…
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Opinion Fighting Anti-Semitism Has Become A Partisan Game
Last week, both Republican and Democratic representatives in Congress were revealed to have met with anti-Semites. But only one side was reported in the mainstream media: GOP Congressmen’s association with Holocaust denier Chuck Johnson. Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that Chuck C. Johnson walking with Reps. Phil Roe and Andy Harris? Both waited…
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Opinion Can We Stop Calling People ‘Self-Hating Jews?’
In her new book, “Antisemitism: Here and Now,” Deborah Lipstadt presents what she calls a taxonomy of Jewish hatred. There is the unambiguous extremist, the sort who marches with torches in Charlottesville, and who believes, with some justification, that there is a sympathizer in the White House. There is the utilitarian anti-Semite, “the pot-stirrer who…
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Opinion The Women’s March Failed By Sowing Discord Instead Of Unity
I believe in the power of people to make change – especially women. I have seen women of different religions, ethnicities, backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, belief systems, and lifestyles, come together toward a common goal and make it happen. That’s why watching the deterioration of the Women’s March has been so painful, both as a woman…
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Opinion Stop Invoking Heschel To Silence Black Jews
When it comes to issues of race and racism, we live in tumultuous, conflict-ridden times. Often in the media and sometimes in our daily lives, we don’t see positive examples of cross-racial or cross-cultural solidarity. So it’s understandable that we would highlight the positive examples of this solidarity when we’re given the opportunity to do…
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Opinion Take Note, Women’s March: Jewish Existence Is Resistance
I agonized over what to write on my poster for the Women’s March this Saturday. The past year has been a see-saw of Women’s March leaders claiming to stand against anti-Semitism and homophobia, then regularly promoting it. They say they disagree with anti-Semitic and homophobic statements, but will not condemn them specifically. When asked about…
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Opinion Your Anti-BDS Crusade Hurts Jews
“Congress Trying to Use Spending Bill to Criminalize Boycotts of Israel.” “Texas Speech Pathologist Fired for Refusing to Pledge Not to Boycott Israel.” “Prominent Black Activist Denied Civil Rights Award Because She Supports BDS.” Headlines like these reveal the disturbing consequences of the American Jewish communal establishment’s unhealthy obsession with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions…
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Opinion Bernie Sanders Has To Run – To Make Democrats More Critical Of Israel
There are plenty of reasons for Bernie Sanders not to run for president. He’s an old white guy who may have trouble generating enthusiasm from people of color and women, especially after the recent revelations of sexism in his 2016 campaign. Of all the potential Democratic nominees, he’s the one most likely to prompt a…
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