Opinion articles that represent the views of the Forward’s editors.
Editorials
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Opinion Commitment to Renewal
Even if the reasons for doing so are prosaic, there’s a welcome symbolism in the decision by the Jewish Federations of North America to move its annual General Assembly from Disney World to the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Federation officials say that there wasn’t enough space in Orlando to accommodate the thousands of expected…
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Opinion Taking Hebrew Seriously
In his delightful essay in today’s special education section, Michael Wex describes how he — a renowned Yiddishist — is often questioned as to why he sends his daughter to a Hebrew-speaking day school in New York. His answer: “My daughter and her fellow students are learning something that might look and sound just like…
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Opinion After the Earth Moved
For American Jews who give generously to charity, there is often an inner struggle: How much should they support other Jews, and how much should they give to causes in the wider world? The response to the tragedy befalling Haiti demonstrates the wisdom of turning that binary dilemma from an “either/or” question to a “both/and”…
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Opinion Minority Rule
In a nation that clings to the ideals of majority rule and fair play, the filibuster can seem like a poke in the political eye. Allowing a single lawmaker to talk on and on, bringing the nation’s business to a halt, may have seemed like a good idea when Mr. Smith went to Washington. But…
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Opinion Stifling Our Artists
The fourth annual Schmooze conference took place at the hip City Winery in Lower Manhattan on January 11 and 12, bringing together Jewish artists and presenters to debate, discuss and, well, schmooze. There was talk of a “sea change” this year, and not just because of the financial meltdown or the growing popularity of Fox…
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Opinion Liberating the Wall
Imagine, if you will, a group of devout Jews who regularly gather to pray at an ancient synagogue. Sometimes they are left alone, but other times they are verbally and physically harassed, spit at, cursed. If this were taking place in a country unfriendly to Jews, we would admire the worshippers’ dedication and perseverance, perhaps…
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Opinion A Right to Health Care
After all the horse-trading and grandstanding that marked the Senate’s health care debate, it’s easy to overlook the historic meaning of the chamber’s December 24 vote. The two houses of Congress have now endorsed the principle that access to decent medical care should be available by right to every citizen. America has finally ratified life…
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Opinion The Year in Verse
Who needs Santa when we can opine On Jews in the news, twenty-o’-nine? A year when Madoff became a verb, Larry David brought ‘Seinfeld’ to ‘Curb.’ Who needs reindeer when by the deli Are Bruno and Bar Refaeli? * The change in Washington gave the nod: A new job for David Axelrod, Another for Rahm…
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Looking Forward Actually, I’d love for Chabad to ask me if I’m Jewish
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Yiddish קורס וועגן ייִדיש אין אוקראַיִנע במשך דעם 20סטן יאָרהונדערטCourse on Yiddish in Ukraine in the 20th century
דער אַרבעטער רינג וועט אויך לערנען אַ קורס וועגן די ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן בײַ די הײַנטיקע חרדים.
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