Opinion

• Opinion

  What Is Rabbi’s Role at Convention?

  When Rabbi Everett Gendler was released from jail in Albany, Ga., in 1962 he and the 11 other rabbis jailed with him for “public prayer without a license” each found a Western Union telegram waiting. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, sent to them a message with a verse from…

  By Beth Kissileff

  3 min read
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  Opinion

  Rabbis Have Long Had Place at Conventions

  “The prayer at the convention was offered by a Jewish rabbi,” The New York Times reported in an article headlined “Why a Rabbi was Chosen.” The reference was to neither Meir Soloveichik nor David Wolpe, who delivered invocations at this year’s Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Instead, the reference was to Samuel Sale of St….

  By Jonathan Sarna Sep 6, 2012 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Dueling Views From Israel on Jerusalem Flap

  The speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin, told Israeli reporters that the controversy over the mention of Jerusalem in the Democratic National Committee platform had “far-reaching significance” in harming the relationship between the Obama administration and Israel. The deputy speaker of the Knesset disagrees. In a conversation this morning in my office, Shlomo Molla, a…

  By Jane Eisner Sep 6, 2012 | 2 min read

Columnists View All

• Alyssa Katz What I learned at a Holocaust survivors’ Purim party

  

• Rob Eshman Trump is backed into a corner on Iran. Get ready for him to start blaming Jews

  

• Dan Perry Viktor Orbán may fall. Netanyahu should be next

  

• Emily Tamkin Hungary is poised to topple an authoritarian leader. American Jews have something to learn

  

• Jay Michaelson Passover’s 4 cups of meaning

  

The Latest

• 
  Opinion

  What About Working Women?

  Nearly 60% of working age women in America participate in the labor force. But for all the anecdote-sharing by the wives of the two presidential candidates at their party conventions, the role of working mother was barely mentioned. In Ann Romney’s case, of course, the omission is understandable. Juggling the work-life balance is simply not…

  Sep 6, 2012 | 2 min read
• Letters

  Not Just a School

  Your August 31 article that described the exciting, innovative approach of the Jewish Journey Project was right on target. But the article’s title (“Fun Times at Hebrew School”) is misleading in a key way. From its inception, this project was designed to be an alternative to the traditional “Hebrew school,” which really no longer meets…

  Sep 5, 2012 | < 1 min read
• Letters

  Always Wrong

  I vehemently disagree with Rabbi Steve Wernick and his supporters who contend that it somehow is acceptable to quote sources without attribution in sermons, as he contended in your recent August 31 article. “When May a Rabbi Use the Words of Others.” To plagiarize is unacceptable, and to attempt to justify plagiarism is equally unacceptable….

  Sep 5, 2012 | < 1 min read
• Letters

  More Ways To Adapt

  I just wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for your June 8 article on the JCC program for people with Aspergers, “From Awkward to In Love.” I also wanted to share a bit about our program as I do not agree with a statement in the article asserting that Adaptations is the…

  Sep 5, 2012 | < 1 min read
• Letters

  The Communal Agenda

  The September 7 story on the Jewish Federations’ Global Planning Table, (“Internal Gridlock Stalls Federation Giving Reform”), features a provocative headline but misses the real story of this ambitious initiative. The Global Planning Table is designed to re-envision the way Jewish Federations raise and allocate funds for global Jewish needs. This complex process requires collaboration…

  Sep 5, 2012 | < 1 min read
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  Opinion

  Tweeting Michelle’s Speech

  Needless to say, the highlight of last night’s Democratic National Convention session was Michelle Obama’s speech. The nationally televised speech won an ecstatic reaction from delegates in Charlotte and garnered 28,003 tweets per minute, according to USA Today. Comments in the Jewish Twitter-sphere ranged from the First Lady’s wardrobe (love the pink) to the possibility…

  By Seth Berkman Sep 5, 2012 | < 1 min read
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  Opinion

  Peace Takes Back Seat in Dems’ Platform

  What a difference four years makes. In 2008, the Democratic Party’s platform vowed “an active role” in aiding the procurement of “a lasting settlement” in the region. That accord would provide closure for Palestinian refugees via “an international compensation mechanism” and the creation of a democratic and viable homeland. The platform made reference to “the…

  By Liam Hoare Sep 4, 2012 | 2 min read
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  Opinion

  Rabin’s Killer+Hamas=BFF

  The brother of Yitzhak Rabin’s killer has said that the assassin gets along fine with jailed Hamas terrorists and sees “no difference” between himself and the sworn enemies of Israel. Hagai Amir made the comment in his first interview since his release in May. His brother Yigal Amir, Rabin’s killer, is still in prison. For…

  By Nathan Jeffay Sep 4, 2012 | 2 min read