Opinion

• Opinion

  For a Two-State Solution? Boycott Ariel

  A while back, I wrote a column in which I urged people to boycott Ariel. An explanation is in order here: Ariel is a town of some 18,000 people that juts 16 kilometers (10 miles) beyond the Green Line. It is, in other words, rather deep within the West Bank. It is 25 miles from…

  By Leonard Fein

  3 min read
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  Opinion

  Ani DiFranco’s Slave Plantation Gaffe

  At first glance, it seems that Ani DiFranco has become the latest example of how a mix of star-fueled insulation from the real world and white privilege can lead to bad public relations. After an Internet-inspired backlash, the feminist singer-songwriter has canceled a musical retreat at a former slave plantation in Louisiana, now a resort…

  By Ari Paul Jan 3, 2014 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Real Story of My Spiritual Journey to Reform Judaism

  (JTA) — Over the past two weeks I’ve been both heartened and horrified by the spectrum of response to what, I felt, was a spontaneous and sincere statement of unity and joy — my proclamation of “aliyah” to Reform Judaism, made at the biennial conference of the Union for Reform Judaism. I’m honored that the…

  By Neshama Carlebach Jan 3, 2014 | 3 min read

Columnists View All

• Jay Michaelson What can really be done to prevent antisemitic attacks like Bondi Beach?

  

• Rob Eshman Australia shooting terrifies Jews worldwide — and strengthens the case for Israel

  

• Nora Berman Did crypto-Jews invent the modern tarot deck?

  

• Dan Perry The 3 responses to the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack that could make Jews safer

  

• Emily Tamkin The fundamental miscalculation behind the GOP’s antisemitism crisis

  

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  Opinion

  How ‘Quenelle’ Salute Creator Dieudonne Built Bridge to Anti-Semitic Far Fight

  The comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, according to French authorities, is under investigation for inciting racial hatred. They have also urged city officials to consider barring Dieudonné from public performances during his upcoming tour. Prodding the government to act was the video clip of Dieudonné’s current show in Paris, when he mentions the name of Patrick…

  By Robert Zaretsky Jan 3, 2014 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Israel Is Running Out of Pre-Oslo Prisoners

  A nephew of a murdered Israeli soldier protests a Palestinian prisoner release. / Getty Images For 26 Palestinians, this weekend will be the first one in decades spent at home with their families. They were released on Monday as part of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The discourse over prisoner releases tends to be dominated by…

  By Nathan Jeffay Jan 2, 2014 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Pew Poll Reveals How Americans View Israel

  Pro-Israel marchers walk along Fifth Avenue on May 5, 2002 in New York City. / Getty Images While Americans continue to hold long-time allies like Great Britain and Canada in high esteem, they are pretty divided as to how they feel about some of the government’s other key allies — like Israel. A recently published…

  By Michael Kaplan Jan 2, 2014 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Busting the New Year’s Jewish Myths

  It takes no special insight to predict some of the topics for conversation among Jews in this new year. The Mideast peace process, such as it is. Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The endless need to engage young people in meaningful Jewish life. The prohibitive cost of day school and summer camp. The unlikelihood of any Jew…

  Jan 2, 2014 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Bring on a New Operating System for Judaism

  In 2014, my four-year-old will learn the aleph bet. Teacher Eric’s songs at preschool will help, but most of this will happen through some great Hebrew videos and apps. In 2014, I’ll probably fail in my quest to get my one-year-old daughter to her next birthday without the iPad. But I’ll make myself feel better…

  By Sarah Lefton Jan 1, 2014 | < 1 min read
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  Opinion

  Have We Reached the End of Traditional Religion?

  Maybe the Christian Right is right. For almost 40 years now, they’ve been warning us that we’ve entered the wilderness, that traditional religion is being eroded. Did 2013 prove them right? Item One: the Rise of the Nones. This phenomenon — nearly 20% of Americans listing “none” as their religious affiliation — was first documented…

  By Jay Michaelson Dec 31, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  How Good Is Israel’s New Abortion Policy?

  A doctor performs a sonogram on a pregnant woman on November 9, 2011. / Getty Images It’s not every day that progressives get to see encouraging policy changes coming out of Israel, so we should celebrate them when they do come along — even if they don’t go quite as far as we might like….

  By Sigal Samuel Dec 31, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Can’t Top Weegee on New Year’s Eve

  Ever attend an awkward New Year’s Eve party? Probably can’t top this one. Here’s a picture taken by Weegee, the famed tabloid Jewish photographer, born Arthur Fellig, at a 1943 New Year’s Eve party 71 years ago. The photo was snapped at Sammy Bowery Follies, described by National Geographic as an “alcoholic haven,” where the…

  By Michael Kaplan Dec 31, 2013 | < 1 min read