Opinion

• Opinion

  As War Nears, Ghosts of Bush’s Iraq Haunt Obama

  The United States moved several steps closer Friday to attacking Syria. President Obama strategized by phone with the British and French leaders, and briefly addressed reporters (video here, transcript here), just before a meeting with Baltic leaders, about the options he’s considering for responding to Syria’s reported use of chemical weapons. French president Francois Hollande…

  By J.J. Goldberg

  4 min read
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  Opinion

  After Katrina, New Orleans Jews Bounce Back by Sticking to Polyglot Roots

  Gumbo, the official dish of the state of Louisiana, combines many singular ingredients to create a beloved dish unique to this special part of our country. With foundations in many cultures — French, Spanish, African, indigenous, German and Spanish — gumbo describes the exciting diversity that is the New Orleans community. According to the Goldring/Woldenberg…

  By Sharon Pollin Aug 30, 2013 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Looking for a Shul for the Holidays?

  As we head into the New Year, Jews around the world are getting ready to reflect, party, pray, and of course, eat! NEXT: A Division of Birthright Israel Foundation wanted to make it easier to find a High Holiday experience that’s fun, meaningful and close by, so they created an interactive map. With more than…

  By Forward Staff Aug 30, 2013 | < 1 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

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  Opinion

  ‘Dr. King Demanded Justice’

  The following speech was delivered at this week’s ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Fifty years ago a Rabbi shared these steps with Dr. King and began his remarks by saying, “I speak to you as an American Jew.” My name is Alan van Capelle, and today I speak to you…

  By Alan Van Capelle Aug 30, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Only 200 Words About Abuse at Y.U.

  Here are the numbers you need to know regarding the Yeshiva University sex scandal. Nearly two dozen students first told the Forward that they were physicially and sexually abused by staff members at Y.U.’s high school for boys. Eventually, 34 of those students sued the school. The university spent a reported $2.5 million on an…

  Aug 30, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Mountain Jews, Dagestan and Dude Named Genghis

  (JTA) — An awkward silence set in between me and Genghis after he tells me that I am welcome to spend the night at the Derbent Jewish Community Center, but that I first need to “get clean” in the mikvah. I have not heard of congregations with mandatory ritual immersions for visitors, but this is…

  By Cnaan Liphshiz Aug 30, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  ‘Feminists of Zion’ Scapegoat Orthodox Jews

  A lengthy piece in the New Republic asserts — or, more accurately, hopes — that “an unlikely alliance between Orthodox and progressive women will save Israel from fundamentalism.” The latter word, of course, is intended to refer to traditional Orthodox Judaism. Heavy on anecdotes about Haredi crazies harassing sympathetic women, the piece, titled “The Feminists…

  Aug 29, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Y.U. Report’s Three Paragraphs Fails To Do Justice to Abuse — or Jewish Ethics

  On August 26, the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, hired by Yeshiva University to look into allegations of past abuse at the university’s High School for Boys, finally concluded its eight-month investigation and released a report detailing its findings. As one of the high school students abused in the early 1970s and as one…

  By Irwin Kula Aug 29, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  As Egypt Falls Apart, Israel Whispers: ‘We Told You So’

  Were there any satisfaction to be gotten from saying “I told you so” about Egypt, Israel would have every reason today to be a satisfied country instead of a worried one. While just about everyone else was giddily celebrating the fall of Hosni Mubarak and the wondrous “Arab Spring,” Israeli government circles were among the…

  By Hillel Halkin Aug 28, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  On 50th Anniversary of March on Washington, Recalling Jews’ Singular Role

  As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and the majestic “I Have a Dream” speech, we should reflect on the singular role the Jewish community played throughout the civil rights struggle and, in particular, remember with pride Jewish participation in the March on Washington itself. No segment of American society outside…

  By Mark Schneier Aug 28, 2013 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Where Was Rabbi Heschel at March on Washington?

  When the Forward decided to run a feature commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Jewish influence on the seminal civil rights event, the first name discussed was that of Abraham Joshua Heschel, a close friend of Martin Luther King. Was he there? What role did he…

  By Seth Berkman Aug 28, 2013 | 2 min read