Opinion

• Opinion

  Do the Right Thing on Syria

  When President Obama decided to delay a military strike against Syria to first obtain Congressional approval, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his usually raucous and unscripted government ministers they needed to stay quiet. It was a wise move on Netanyahu’s part. Even though Israel has a huge stake in the outcome of the Congressional debate,…

  3 min read
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  Opinion

  News Quiz: Sergey Brin’s New Lady

  Jews and Sex. That could be the title of this week’s new quiz, because… why not? That’s a title that gets readers. But, in this case, it’s also a title that pertains to the content. So much sex and so many Jews! Read on! (As if I could stop you.)

  By Lenore Skenazy Sep 3, 2013 | < 1 min read
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  Opinion

  A Truce in the Kotel Wars?

  The ongoing drama over who is allowed to pray at the Western Wall, and where, and how, and under what circumstances, encapsulates all that divides and distresses the Jewish people today, and all that can unify us. We understand the skeptics and cynics. We appreciate how difficult it will be to pry control over what…

  Sep 3, 2013 | 3 min read

Columnists View All

• Alyssa Katz My summer plans prove it: The Jewish Catskills are alive and kicking

  

• Rob Eshman ‘Remember the Liberty’ has become code for ‘Israel Is Evil’ 

  

• Dan Perry The Iran war ended terribly for the US, and even worse for Israel

  

• Emily Tamkin Outrage over Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed on sexual assault of Palestinians is missing the point

  

• Jay Michaelson When it comes to Israel/Palestine, everyone is sure that everyone else is a bigot

  

The Latest

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  Opinion

  Holiday Songs: Robeson’s ‘Joe Hill,’ Solidarity in WI

  Some songs for the holiday. First, Paul Robeson’s immortal rendition of “The Ballad of Joe Hill.” It still has incredibly moving power. (Read this and this for some fascinating comment on Joe.) Then, Harry “Haywire Mac” McClintock (author of “The Big Rock Candy Mountain”) sings Joe Hill’s “The Preacher and the Slave” (“Pie in the…

  By J.J. Goldberg Sep 2, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  A Jewish Fight for Public Education

  Jews hold education sacred, and for good reason. An educated citizenry is a necessary precondition for any democracy. Similarly, for Jews of the rabbinic era — characterized by, among other things, a devolution of authority to local rabbinic leaders — education and learning have become a necessary precondition for engagement in the full kaleidoscope of…

  By Amy B. Dean Sep 2, 2013 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Ron Paul To Keynote Parley of Anti-Semites

  Former Texas Congressman and perennial GOP presidential contender Ron Paul is scheduled to keynote a conference in Canada next weekend of a “radical traditionalist” Catholic organization that’s described by human rights organizations as a major center of anti-Semitism. Other scheduled conference speakers include John McManus, president of the John Birch Society, the hoary staple of…

  By J.J. Goldberg Sep 2, 2013 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  End of Jonathan Sacks Era

  Two countries; two chief rabbinates. But the institutions could hardly be more different. I have spent part of this summer observing the Chief Rabbi elections in Israel, and part in the U.K., hearing the opinions of British Jews about the end of the Jonathan Sacks era, with their Chief Rabbi (or strictly speaking the Chief…

  By Nathan Jeffay Sep 1, 2013 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Syria in the Crosshairs, All Outcomes Terrible

  Rosh Hashanah, tradition teaches, is the birthday of the world, the mother of all new beginnings. This year, alas, you’d be forgiven for feeling as though it’s more like the end of the world. If so, it’s somehow fitting that it’s ending right where it began, somewhere east of Eden in the Fertile Crescent, in…

  By J.J. Goldberg Sep 1, 2013 | 4 min read
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  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 Aug 31, 2013 | 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