Opinion

• Opinion

  Does a Child Know Guilt?

  A series of writers answer the question: Do we still know how to atone? The term “atonement” seems, at first glance, more applicable to adults than to children. Yet children also show a sense of responsibility when they cause harm to others. They experience guilt and remorse, and they try to make amends through acts…

  By Carolyn Zahn-Waxler

  2 min read
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  Opinion

  The Thrill of Repentance

  A series of writers answer the question: Do we still know how to atone? The evidence is everywhere: Bernie Madoff announces that he is sorry to have caused his family pain, but then defends himself, saying that he only “made rich people richer;” Anthony Weiner first lies about his behavior, then admits his mistakes, but…

  By Louis E. Newman Sep 20, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Stick to ‘47%’ Argument, Mitt

  Palm Beach County Republican chair Sid Dinerstein hopes Mitt Romney sticks by the secretly recorded remarks that have shaken the political world this week. Dinerstein attended the now-infamous May fundraising event in Boca Raton but was not included in the exclusive $50,000-a-plate dinner at which Romney made controversial comments about the Middle East peace process…

  By Josh Nathan-Kazis Sep 19, 2012 | 2 min read

Columnists View All

• Jodi Rudoren This is my last column as editor of the Forward

  

• Jay Michaelson I supported Israel’s actions in Gaza in October 2023 — not anymore

  

• Rob Eshman The staggering hypocrisy behind Trump’s deal to free the last living American hostage

  

• Nora Berman How the Oct. 7 aftermath splintered the New York Dyke March

  

• Dan Perry It looks like Israel totally underestimated Trump

  

• Emily Tamkin This week proved it: Trump’s approach to antisemitism at Columbia is horribly ineffective

  

The Latest

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  Opinion

  Owning Up to My Corrections

  A series of writers answer the question: Do we still know how to atone? This might be the most beautiful sentence in the English language: “You were right; I was wrong.” Enjoy it now: You’ll seldom hear it again. And you’ll say it even less. Both lapses are unfortunate, but the latter is worse. Because…

  By Randy Cohen Sep 19, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Hitting the Moral Reset Button

  A series of writers answer the question: Do we still know how to atone? Atonement, the practice of making amends for one’s sins, is a central component of many religions. Both Catholicism and Protestantism have forms of confession and reconciliation. Even Calvinism, which emphasizes a lack of control over one’s ultimate fate, depends on repentance…

  By Dan Ariely Sep 19, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  When You Don’t Want To Say You’re Sorry

  A series of writers answer the question: Do we still know how to atone? My mother said it every year to my sister and me when she was getting us dressed to go to High Holy Day services: “Apologize. Say you’re sorry for all the things you did wrong to each other this year.” Ever…

  By Rachel Shukert Sep 19, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Barack Obama Is ‘Citizenship’ President

  This week’s question and next week’s as well is why Obama. The first and most obvious answer is the precise opposite of what Romney supporters say when they are asked “Why Romney?” Their answer is that he is not Obama and Obama is plainly not Romney. But one wants to go beyond the negative argument….

  By Leonard Fein Sep 18, 2012 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Occupying Rosh Hashanah

  Jeanette Friedman looked over the crowd of hundreds of Occupy Wall Street supporters in Zuccotti Park on the evening of Sept. 16, and all she could do was gush about her son. “I can’t believe how many people are here,” she shouted to her boy, Dan Sieradski, who was helping to lead a Rosh Hashanah…

  By Ari Paul Sep 17, 2012 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  What Would Israel Do Without Mahmoud Abbas?

  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called Israel’s President Shimon Peres to offer him Rosh Hashanah greetings. “Happy holiday and a Happy New Year to you and the entire Israeli nation,” Abbas said.. Well, perhaps he meant all of Israel with one exception. At the same time as the phone call from Ramallah came in at…

  By Nathan Jeffay Sep 16, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Obama Should Answer for Middle East Failures

  President Barack Obama predicated his foreign policy on a simple idea: that he would pursue alliances and friendships based on “mutual respect and mutual interests.” Turning away from George W. Bush’s ideologically driven Freedom Agenda was a natural pivot for Obama. Bush’s agenda was ideological. Obama’s was practical. But Obama’s approach to the region was…

  By Noam Neusner Sep 15, 2012 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Just File Your Forms, Mort!

  The revelation that the Zionist Organization of America, the group on the stodgy, venerable right-wing flank of American Zionism, has lost its status as a tax exempt organization is astonishing. News that some members of their board haven’t seen the ZOA’s budget in at least four years had my jaw on the floor. The most…

  By David A.M. Wilensky Sep 14, 2012 | 3 min read