(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — A few years ago a colleague called to interview me for a book he was writing about journalists who worked for Jewish publications. I told him that it would be the first book in history whose readership would overlap...
Dan Buffa, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published October 19, 2021
Paul can't sleep. Due to a wicked combination of terrifying nightmares and enlightening visions, his nights are distorted; a young man destined for high purpose (leader of galaxies?) who isn't exactly ready for what is about to come.
I don't think...
Rabbi Hillel, the prominent first century Jewish sage, famously said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Now is the time we must stand up and tell our elected officials, “Let...
JONATHAN S. TOBIN, JNS
• Published October 16, 2021
The Department of Justice’s attempt to frame protests against critical race theory as “domestic terrorism” is wrong. It’s also a defense of ideas that give a permission slip to anti-Semitism.
Dan Buffa, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published October 14, 2021
"WOW! You look so good. Did you lose weight?"
One of the worst things about looks is that they are the first thing people see. Sometimes, the only thing they see. Before our mouths can even open and apply context, a preliminary grade and overall look...
(JTA) — As a writer, literature professor and one of the 82% of U.S. Jews who report that “caring about Israel” is either “essential” or “important” to their Jewish identity, I am pained when I see authors whom I admire launch exaggerated...
MaNishtana (Shais Rishon)
• Published October 13, 2021
(JTA) — Actress and comedian Sarah Silverman, in comments on her Sept. 30 podcast, railed against the practice of casting non-Jews as Jewish characters in TV and films. She referred to the castings as “Jewface,” a play on the historically racist...
(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — There’s a lot to say about Gary Shteyngart’s New Yorker essay on the botched circumcision he suffered as a 7-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant in Brooklyn. The novelist doesn’t explicitly come out against circumcision,...
Reactions to Iron Dome vote, representative’s ‘apartheid’ comment
St. Louis Friends of Israel expresses our appreciation to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who passed legislation on Sept. 23 to replenish the Iron Dome defensive...
(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — Our oldest son is named Noah, and as a result we collected a lot of children’s books based on the Bible story (which will be read in synagogues this Shabbat). On its face, the story of Noah and the flood, with its...
(JTA) — The Orthodox Union won’t certify Impossible Pork as kosher, representing a break from the way that decisions about certifying kosher food are normally made. But as someone who studies Judaism’s long relationship with technology, I would...
Amy Fenster Brown, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published October 5, 2021
My favorite part of planning lunch with friends is when no one wants to choose the restaurant. Everyone has places they love to dine and places they prefer not to dine. We don’t want to ruffle feathers, we just want to have a fun time with friends over...
