Open Season on the Orthodox
The description of the scene fairly leapt off the page: Shabbos at the Kosel, people davening, a paraplegic in a motorized wheelchair, a group of Orthodox Jews approaching… “…like a big-league pitcher [one religious...
What Worked for Us (in Shidduchim)
“Past performance does not guarantee future results.” I don’t own stocks, but am familiar with that disclaimer, required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for ads peddling investment opportunities. It’s cited here...
Rabbis Dancing Around the Pope – Some Thoughts
It was great, yet it was problematic. It was productive, yet it was counterproductive. “It” is the May 8 meeting of Orthodox Jews with the Pope at the Vatican. Worthy and principal issues of protection of...
Jammin’ with the Pope
Others can continue the debate about the delegation that visited with the Pope and provided a bit of a musical interlude. R. Yair Hoffman provided excellent historical and halachic background, showing how common such...
Tikvah Institute For Yeshiva Men 2017
For a fourth summer, I will be leading the Tikvah Fund’s special summer resident program for yeshiva men. This program presents a wonderful opportunity for men between the ages of 20-35 who have had...
An Impossible Pretzel
Some people, it seems, like some dogs with teeth planted firmly in mailmen’s legs, just can’t let go. Take Peter Beinart. I have no problem with the columnist and former The New Republic editor’s...
A Sad Day for American Jewish Media
When it is the editor of The Forward who expresses her "dread, despair and embarrassment" that Israel avoided extermination in 1967, we can express our disappointment, but few of us are surprised.
Homicide Prevention
Observant Jews might be lulled into thinking that the issue of physician-assisted suicide doesn’t affect us personally. After all, while there are certainly cases where treatments may rightfully be declined by patients or,...
The RBS Kerfuffle: Tempest in the Wrong Cholent Pot?
As two sides go at each other about the regularity of attacks on women in Ramat Beit Shemesh, both may be letting another culprits off the hook. No one has invoked Malmo. Or Umea....
Response and Rejoinder
The article I wrote recently for the Forward about haredim in Israel, linked here on Cross-Currents on April 15, was responded to in that medium by an activist in Israel. Her rejoinder is here. I...