Opinion

• Opinion

  Why Students Are Turning to BDS

  Sheldon Adelson’s recently convened conference to counter the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement is significant not because it defines a new era in the BDS conversation, but because it helps underline the reasons that the establishment Jewish community is losing the BDS debate. I’ve spent the past five years building relationships with students and campus…

  By Ira Stup

  3 min read
• 
  Opinion

  Living a Reform Life, but Coveting Orthodoxy

  When I was 14 I went on a retreat and had my first experience with Orthodox Judaism. I was mesmerized by one of the co-leaders. Ellen spoke softly; she wore corduroy jumpers in the summer, and she looked so dedicated and at peace when she prayed. We all spent four days dancing, telling stories, having…

  By Neilia Sherman Jun 27, 2015 | 4 min read
• 
  Opinion

  The Profoundly Jewish Lesson of the Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Ruling

  One of the key points in today’s Supreme Court decision overturning state bans on same-sex marriage is that religious and civil marriage, like church and state, are separate. And yet, the court’s opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, is itself prophetic in its tone. For the 80% of American Jews who support same-sex marriage, it…

  By Jay Michaelson Jun 26, 2015 | 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 I have the answer to Jon Stewart’s toughest question about Israel

  

• Nora Berman ‘Eddington’ is full of conspiracy theories but it’s not about Jews. Or is it?

  

• Dan Perry Recognizing a Palestinian state is a great way to doom Palestinians

  

• Emily Tamkin Is starvation in Gaza really Israel’s fault? The facts are clear

  

The Latest

• 
  Opinion

  Why Did Canada Nix Jewish Heritage Month?

  It was a slap in the face to Canadian Jews by “anti-Semitic” legislators. Or maybe it was a procedural snafu in a ready-to-bolt-for-vacation Parliament. In any case, the motion to designate November as Jewish Heritage Month in Canada is dead in the water after fellow lawmakers [declined to support Liberal MP Irwin Cotler](http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Irwin-Cotler(1785 “declined to…

  By Michael Kaminer Jun 26, 2015 | 4 min read
• 
  Opinion

  Why Climate Change Is a Jewish Issue — and the Pope Is Right

  It’s been strangely reassuring to watch Republican presidential candidates jump all over Pope Francis for his new encyclical letter on the environment. I’m comforted by the fact that he’s getting hit with pretty much the same criticisms I get when I write about climate in the Forward: What does this have to do with your…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jun 26, 2015 | 5 min read
• 
  Opinion

  What Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ Teaches Me About Charleston

  I finished reading Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler two days ago. As a Jew, I had wanted to understand why someone would want to destroy all that European Jews had worked so hard to build. But as I read, I could not help thinking instead about Dylann Roof, the white 21-year-old who killed nine black…

  By Max Landaw Jun 25, 2015 | 3 min read
• 
  Opinion

  How Michael Oren Got Blasted by Inside-the-Beltway Noise Machine

  More than two years after moving back from Israel, I still feel like a newbie in weird Washington. Feel the air: so hot and humid that when it rains, it feels more like an ancient marsh rising up from the earth. Thirsty? There’s the innovative use of alcohol, at all times of day, as a…

  By David Hazony Jun 25, 2015 | 5 min read
• 
  Opinion

  A Book, a Joke, a Graduation Gift: One Week in Israeli Xenophobia

  We’ve all been talking about Michael Oren’s audacious new book “Ally” and his . But Michael Oren is hardly the only Israeli citizen making enemies out of the President of the United States. Take Judy Nir Moses, the wife of Israeli Minister of Interior Silvan Shalom. She’s a media personality, part of a weekly talk…

  By Lior Zaltzman Jun 24, 2015 | 2 min read
• 
  Opinion

  Michael Oren, You Hardly Know Us at All

  The new memoir by Michael Oren, recounting his four years as the Israeli ambassador to Washington and his “journey across the American-Israeli divide,” ignited debate before the 400-page book was even published yesterday. Much of that was due to Oren himself, who in a few strategically-placed opinion pieces, siphoned off the most provocative parts of…

  By Jane Eisner Jun 24, 2015 | 4 min read
• 
  Opinion

  No, New York Times, Massacres Aren’t Funny

  Wow. That’s pretty much the only word that came to mind upon seeing in their spare time. The shock was quickly replaced with a sudden skin-crawly feeling. The New York Times is famous for its reputation as the paper of record. Its tone is balanced and measured, its headlines filled with appeasing clauses. Nothing sensational…

  By Anne Cohen Jun 23, 2015 | 2 min read
• 
  Opinion

  Think U.N. Gaza ‘War Crimes’ Report Is Biased? Read It First.

  When the shouting dies down and folks take the time to read the actual content of the United Nations report on last summer’s Gaza war — all 183 pages plus side documents — you might see some very red faces in the world of pro-Israel activism. Well, maybe you won’t. The leaders and friends of…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jun 23, 2015 | 5 min read