JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
This year, we have to remember the original meaning of Hanukkah. What many of us associate with the holiday — a little bit of oil miraculously going a long way — seems profoundly underwhelming for a God who creates the world and redeems nations from slavery. Some will say it is precisely this fact, that…
The popularized story of Hanukkah may be little more than a story. And yet, as we all know, some stories hold greater power than others. A mythologized telling of Avram smashing his father’s idols lends greater weight to his righteousness and showcases his pining for a transcendent sense of faith. A mega-fish swallowing Jonah whole…
Sebastiano Conca: ‘Alexander the Great in the Temple of Jerusalem’ (1737) / Wikimedia Commons What follows is a Forward editorial in celebration of Hanukkah from back in December 2004, when I was editor. I was rather proud of it then, and I think the message holds up pretty well. Down at the bottom is an…
Mel’s back and the Hollywood legend isn’t quite sure why he was forced to go away in the first place. Touching on what the interviewer politely refers to as his “personal crises,” Gibson is asked if Hollywood is a forgiving town in the interview on comingsoon.net. To which he responds: No it’s not. They have…
Mel Gibson just can’t seem to stop himself from taking on two things: ancient epics and Jews. In a bit of a shocker, Deadline reports that the actor and filmmaker is teaming up with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas to make a movie about Judah Maccabee for Warner Bros. Yes, that Judah Maccabee — the Hasmonean military…
