Opinion

• Opinion

  A Rainbow in Tucson

  Here is just one of the very many Tucson stories that have now become part of who we are: It is a story told by the political commentator Mark Shields, quoting his friend Allen Ginsberg, a historian in Maine: What we have witnessed (in part) is a white, Catholic, Republican federal judge murdered on his…

  By Leonard Fein

  4 min read
• Opinion

  Make Worms, Not War?

  Two points struck us as we read the fascinating story in the January 16 edition of The New York Times detailing the reputedly intricate arrangement between America and Israel to test and unleash a computer worm that appears to have seriously undermined Iran’s efforts at making a nuclear bomb. The story quotes military and intelligence…

  Jan 19, 2011 | 2 min read
• Opinion

  The Arab Street’s Dream

  The speech that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered January 13 at a forum in Doha, Qatar, has been rightly lauded for its bold and direct push for governmental reform in the Middle East. Her argument was not based on a civics lesson, nor on the need to embrace democracy for democracy’s sake, but…

  Jan 19, 2011 | 2 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

• Opinion

  Making Holocaust Remembrance Matter

  On January 27, the 66th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the United Nations and much of the world will be observing Holocaust Remembrance Day. Sadly, the rhetoric of commemoration will once again be severely undercut by the international community’s wholly inadequate response to the numerous genocides that have taken place, and continue to take…

  By Menachem Z. Rosensaft Jan 19, 2011 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Losing Labor: What If the Party Is Over?

  A few summers back, I took my kids up to the Kinneret to see the first kibbutz, Degania Aleph, and to visit the lakeside cemetery where the prophets of modern Israel are buried. I wanted the children to sit for a moment beside the grave of the poet Rachel, whose love song to that lake…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jan 19, 2011 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  Debbie Friedman’s Healing Prayer

  As word spread that Debbie Friedman was gravely ill, people around the world prayed for her recovery. Many turned to “Mi Shebeirach,” her version of the traditional Jewish prayer for healing and probably her best-known song. Our prayers and our loving song did not prevent Debbie’s death, but neither were they offered in vain. Indeed,…

  By Drorah Setel Jan 19, 2011 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Israel’s Dangerous Musical Chairs: Barak, Bibi, the Flotilla and the Iranian Threat

  Must reading on Barak’s resignation from Labor: Haaretz military correspondent Amir Oren writes today about the very complicated relationship between Barak’s defection, the retirement of Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and his replacement by Yoav Galant, and the Turkish flotilla. Barak defected to save his own skin, of course. Avi Braverman and Buzhi Herzog were…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jan 18, 2011 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Benjamin Franklin, Mussar Maven

  On January 17, Americans will once again commemorate the birth of Benjamin Franklin, honoring his contributions to culture, science and American independence. American Jews, perhaps, have double reason to celebrate. For Franklin (1706-1790) — in addition to being an author, editor, inventor, natural philosopher, scientist, businessman, musical-innovator, abolitionist, diplomat, statesman and Founding Father — also…

  By Shai Afsai Jan 17, 2011 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  Murders, Martyrs, First Ladies and a Mob Boss: Famous Blood Libels in History

  1144: 12-year-old William of Norwich, England, found dead. A priest accuses local Jews, but king’s sheriff dismisses charges, leading to uprising, canonization of William by local bishop. At coronation of King Richard II, 1189, mob turns on Jews; massacres follow in London, York. 1255: 8-year-old Hugh of Lincoln, England, found mutilated. 19 Jews executed. 1475:…

  By J.J. Goldberg Jan 17, 2011 | 4 min read
• Opinion

  Breaking Begin, but Not Palin

  Menachem Begin is today widely regarded as one of the most effective and far-sighted statesmen in Israeli history. At one end of the political spectrum, he is fondly remembered for surrendering the entire Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and uprooting Israeli communities there. At the other end of the spectrum, he is hailed for taking strong…

  By Benyamin Korn Jan 14, 2011 | 3 min read
• Opinion

  The True Meaning of ‘Blood Libel’

  Amid the fierce and often partisan debate sparked by Sarah Palin’s use of the words “blood libel,” one thing is clear: The phrase has become increasingly detached from its historical context. For centuries, the phrase “the blood libel” — with the definite article — has been used to signify a unique false accusation against a…

  By Ronald Florence Jan 14, 2011 | 3 min read