Opinion

• Opinion

  Blood Libel Trial of Century at 100

  This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century. In September 1913, Mendel Beilis, the clerk of a brick factory, stood accused in a Kiev courtroom of murdering a 13-year-old boy to use his blood to make matzo. Over the course of a four-week trial, the…

  By Paul Berger

  2 min read
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  Opinion

  Kerry’s ‘Naïve’ Peace Bid: Who Got the Last Laugh?

  Well, surprise, surprise. After months of hearing from all the wise pundits from left to right that Secretary of State Kerry was beyond his depth in Israeli-Palestinian peace-making, that he was “naïve and ham-handed” (מגושם in the original), “dumb” and “clueless,” it turns out they all got it wrong. Of course, they’re still a long…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jul 21, 2013 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  this is a test

  The first and most obvious reversal, of course, is the notion that Secretary of State Kerry was “naïve,” “ham-handed” (מגושם) to try bringing the Israelis and Palestinians back together.

  Jul 20, 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 There’s a shocking new report on civilian deaths in Gaza. If only it were accurate.

  

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

  

• Dan Perry Israel’s new gift to the far right could help end the Gaza war

  

• Emily Tamkin Entering motherhood — and an obsession with the works of an Italian Jewish literary hero

  

The Latest

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  Opinion

  ‘Love Child’ Plot Thickens for Jewish Lawmaker

  The plot thickens and the drama continues in the weird case of the Jewish lawmaker who claimed fatherhood of a bikini model — then found out he wasn’t the real dad. A day after a DNA test proved that Rep. Steve Cohen was not genetically related to Victoria Brink, the young woman’s real father said…

  By Yermi Brenner Jul 19, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  British Lawmakers’ Un-‘Liberal’ Stand on Israel

  Two British members of parliament from the centrist Liberal Democratic Party seemed to be doing their utmost to dissuade Jews, friends of Israel, and generally right-minded peoples from sticking with their already-damaged party through to the next election. First, during a debate on changes to the national curriculum, Sir Bob Russell thought it would be…

  By Liam Hoare Jul 19, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Trayvon Martin, O.J. Simpson and the Remedy for Injustice

  What happens when following the letter of the law still leads to an unjust outcome? What is the remedy? What, besides expressing deep outrage, are ordinary citizens to do? The acquittal of George Zimmerman of murder and manslaughter charges in the death of Trayvon Martin left many Americans holding two thoughts that at first seem…

  Jul 19, 2013 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  Extortion Common in Israel Divorces: Study

  Israel’s rabbinical establishment has responded to a worrying survey pointing to the widespread extortion by husbands whose wives want divorces. And instead of moving to stop the phenomenon, it has simply attacked the survey — conducted by one of Israel’s largest polling firms commissioned by a major university. For Israel’s Jewish population, all marriage-related matters…

  By Nathan Jeffay Jul 18, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Can Israel’s Electric Car Revolution Rev Up?

  Can the American man leading Israel’s solar power revolution work his magic on the country’s ailing electric car company? Better Place launched with big, international plans, but went bankrupt earlier this year. Now, Yosef Abramowitz, an idealistic American businessman who first became acquainted with Israel on a Young Judea gap-year program and has had a…

  By Nathan Jeffay Jul 18, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Trayvon Martin, Crown Heights and a Civil Rights Case Against George Zimmerman

  The preamble to the U.S. Constitution — which speaks of preserving justice, domestic tranquility, general welfare, liberty and, not least, a sense of national unity — could read like a CliffNotes version of the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman debate. Taken together, these words suggest that the feds have a duty to intervene. But how? I’d argue…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jul 18, 2013 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  News Quiz: Of Archaeologists and Anti-Circumcision Activists

  Hollywood hunks, NBA stars, Ginsu knives — they’re all here in this week’s news quiz, ready to amuse, amaze and Amar’e. Follow the jump for the quiz!

  By Lenore Skenazy Jul 17, 2013 | < 1 min read
• Opinion

  Dave Goldiner and Abigail Jones Win Promotions

  I am pleased to announce that two members of the Forward editing team are being promoted to positions that reflect their journalistic strengths and skills. Dave Goldiner is the new director of digital media. Dave has shared responsibility for the digital team for the past year, and deserves credit for the enormous growth in our…

  By Jane Eisner Jul 17, 2013 | < 1 min read