Judaism

OpEd: Real Goal of PA and Hamas is the Killing of Israeli Jews

It’s a fact that more than 71% of Israelis, and our terrorist antagonists, do not want “two states side by side living in peace.” It’s a Western delusion to think Muslim terrorists will settle for that. Hamas and the PLO both insist on the extirpation of Israel – their topmost goal. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer

Jewish Biography: Semyon Frank, Religious Philosopher

In the collection Landmarks (1909), which became an important event in the history of Russian philosophical thought, Frank published an article The Ethics of Nihilism, where he criticized the “nihilistic moralism” characteristic of the Russian radical intelligentsia and opposed it with a call for “creative, culture-building religious humanism.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Wikipedia

American Jewish Group Supports New Zealand Memorial to Airmen Imprisoned at Buchenwald

Upon arriving at Buchenwald, the Allied prisoners were not placed in the main camp.  They were destined for special treatment.  The Nazi Commandant sent them to the “Little Camp,” the Jewish Camp.  They slept on the ground for days, no food, clothing – rags like Jewish prisoners. [Jerry Klinger]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: On Being a Democrat and a Supporter of Israel

American support of Israel should not be about rubber-stamping the agenda of Netanyahu, just as American patriotism should not be equated with blind devotion to Trump. With strong disapproval of both leaders among a majority of Jewish Americans and Democrats, we need to broaden the definition of what it means to stand with Israel outside the narrow lens of what serves Netanyahu and Trump’s political agendas.  [Halie Soifer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Eikev: Growing Through Love and Limits

The difficulties we encounter aren’t signs of abandonment. They’re spiritual training. Like a coach who pushes athletes beyond their comfort zones, Hashem invites us to grow past where we thought our limits were. Without that friction, our souls would stay soft, our values underdeveloped. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Jewish Values Demand Moral Clarity–Not Equivalence–in Gaza

Recently, the Times of San Diego published an opinion piece, (which was republished by San Diego Jewish World) titled “As a Father, Jew and Councilmember, I’m Appalled by Brutality in Gaza” by Sean Elo-Rivera.

While I respect the sincerity behind that essay and the concern it reflects for the lives of all children, it represents a troubling trend in our public discourse: invoking Jewish identity as a moral credential to justify arguments built on ahistorical comparisons and dangerous false moral equivalence. [Mitch Danzig, Times of San Diego]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

Alaskan Synagogue Depends on Volunteers

Two Torahs saved from the Holocaust were obtained, one from the Czech Republic; the other from Hungary.  A congregant whose hobby is woodworking built the Holy Ark within which to keep them. Another congregant created a rustic chuppah.  Jewish books were donated to the congregational library.  Temple Sukkat Shalom (Shelter of Peace) is small, yet compact. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Illinois City Makes IHRA Definition of Antisemitism an Ordinance

This landmark legislation positions Highland Park as the first city in Illinois to enshrine this definition through an ordinance rather than a resolution. The ordinance requires the city manager to incorporate the IHRA working definition and its eleven contemporary examples when implementing employment and anti-discrimination policies. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Jewish History, Press Release, USA