Tongues, Cheeks, and Other Facial Anatomy
In Bnei Brak, at least, women have faces. The evidence is out there, in plain view. What do we make of this scandalous display? Read on. It is only partially tongue in cheek. An...
Speaking to the Other: Recent Bad and Good Examples on Fox and in Mishpacha
The recent Fox News three-part series on NY hasidim did little to endear Jews to our fellow citizens – not Satmar (and it could have been any of several other groups without changing the...
Agudath Israel on Immigration Family Separation Policy
Agudath Israel of America expresses its deep concern and disappointment over the recently adopted policy of separating the members of families who have entered the United States illegally. It is a practice that has...
Klal Yisrael Matters
A “scandalous letter” in the files of Israel’s official rabbinate “reflects ignorance,” delivers “a severe blow” to Israel’s relations with Diaspora Jewry and “abandons the religious system in Israel to haredi hands.” Thus spake...
Open Orthodoxy Update, Parshas Chukas
From gay marriage to get-free marriage, from Iftar to Gospel, the latest from the world of Open Orthodoxy, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Yeshivat Maharat.
Several New Articles
Here are some new articles of mine that were posted in various publications over the past several weeks: In Siding With Masterpiece Cakeshop, The OU Made the Correct Choice Appreciation and Ironing Things Out...
Not Your Bubbe’s HUC
The first ordination banquet of the Hebrew Union College of Reform Judaism did not go smoothly. A group of invited rabbis opened their menus, realized that the first course was to be little-neck clams, and immediately left. Fast forward 125 years, and once again the abandonment of Jewish values was too profound for some of those invited to bear.
Optics and Essence
While Democrats and Republicans were trading verbal punches – and misinformation – about immigrant children last week, an adult immigrant riveted the attention of a crowd, and then the world, as he saved a...
The Israeli Rabbinate’s New Standards
An article I wrote for Haaretz about Israel’s official rabbinate “blacklisting” some American rabbis, disallowing their vouching for people’s Jewish credentials can be read here. Even if you’re not a Haaretz subscriber or registrant, if...
Increasing Disdain for Religious Americans
A piece I wrote for Forward at its request about the Supreme Court Masterpiece Cakeshop decision can be read here.