This piece originally appeared at LarryDerfner.com. If describing Israel’s actions toward the Palestinians as “genocide” were the only thing wrong with the Black Lives Matter** platform, I would endorse it with a caveat over that one word, which is grossly inaccurate. Otherwise, the platform’s brief take on Israel is harsh but accurate. In fact, it…
A new platform associated with the Black Lives Matter movement that describes Israel as an “apartheid state” committing “genocide” against the Palestinian people has triggered critical responses from Jewish organizations — even its allies. “[We] are extremely dismayed at the decision to refer to the Israeli occupation as genocide,” a statement from T’ruah: The Rabbinic…
Rabbis are part of a growing group of American Faith Leaders who have witnessed with anguish our communities being devastated by suicides, homicides, unintentional shootings, and mass shootings. We have consoled families and buried their loved ones. We have seen how the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society are disproportionately affected by gun…
The fact that Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) exists in the first place, and has grown and succeeded in recent years, is due to the groundswell of Jews who are actively seeking ways to act on their Jewish values to advance justice. We start from the Jewish community’s collective experience of moving from the margins…
The chopped ingredients for “Joseph’s Technicolor Stew,” a dish inspired by the Torah portion Vayeshev. As a foodie, I eat seasonally. But this year, my menus are planned week by week, and around more than just what’s available at the market. I’m eating along with the cycle of the Torah readings. The Recipes Golden Beet…
Stepping down after nearly 40 years in Congress, Henry Waxman will also be leaving behind his unofficial title — dean of Jewish congressional Democrats. Waxman announced earlier this year that he would not run for a 21st term, ending at the age of 75 one of the most prolific political careers on Capitol Hill. The…
Tikkun Olam. Repair the world. If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of the phrase is enough to make you cringe. Not because we don’t want to do our part for a better world. But for many in my generation, brought up with the idea that you wouldn’t get into college or get a…
Getty Images // A smiling Gloria Steinem. In a recent column, the Guardian’s Jessica Valenti takes aim at our culture’s fixation on the happiness of women. She argues that we shouldn’t concern ourselves with whether or not feminism makes women happier because happiness is not the point. After all, a social justice movement seeks justice,…
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