The magnetizing polarization of debate in today’s heated climate is dangerous to us free thinkers.What do I mean by magnetizing? Simply that there are many people, groups and interests whose goal is to push you toward their respective corners. Many...
By Gerry Greiman & Andrew Rehfeld
• Published August 2, 2018
Our mission at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis is clear: mobilize the Jewish community and its resources to preserve and enhance Jewish life in St. Louis, in Israel and around the world. Executing that mission can be more complicated.We support nearly...
I was not quite 11 years old May 14, 1948, when the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel was read by David Ben-Gurion on the eve of Shabbat and rebroadcast the following night on my great aunt’s shortwave radio. We had just finished...
By Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
• Published July 27, 2018
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz is the author of “Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary.” (Courtesy of Yanklowitz)LOS ANGELES (JTA) — Are Jews more divided than united? We no doubt have significant differences in practice and opinion – or at least...
Support for candidates on Aug. 7 ballotIt will take real leadership and integrity to restore the public’s faith in St. Louis County government. We have seen far too many revelations of questionable dealings, conflict between the administration and the...
The brave members of the Israel Defense Forces who rescued the besieged White Helmets of Syria rank with Israeli soldiers in numerous previous acts of valor by Israel’s armed forces. These include the fledgling IDF of Israel’s War of Independence,...
On July 19, the Israeli Nation-State bill passed as a basic law in Israel. The law establishes constitutional-level protections for the Jewish people and its culture in Israel, defining what it means to be a Jewish State. The Nation-State law is intended...
I have been accused by some readers of being terribly confused. I plead guilty. I am confused, increasingly so, by a culture that makes less and less sense with each passing week.Perhaps someone can help me understand the following:• When Donald Trump...
Predicting Supreme Court Justices I respectfully dissent from Robert Cohn’s “historical perspective” that “Predicting new Supreme Court justice’s rulings is uncertain art,” in the July 4 edition. We now know that Brett Kavanaugh is Donald...
As far as much of the American public is concerned, the timing for President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be worse. The indictments of 12 Russian military intelligence officers on Friday renewed the calls for...
NEW YORK — This year, liberal Jews should lean in to Tisha B’Av. Among other things, the ninth of the month of Av is a crash course in Jewish history. During the 24-hour fast, which begins this year on Saturday night, we mourn the destruction of the...
Ann and I recently checked off a big bucket list item. Several years ago, we realized that we had visited 48 states together. We were only missing Hawaii and Idaho and put both on our bucket list. We immediately made plans to visit the islands...
