Opinion

Juneteenth has deep meaning, especially for someone born Black and Jewish

To be a person of African heritage and a Jewess is to hold a deep, ancestral understanding of what it means to be pulled from the depths, to celebrate a hard-won liberty, and to remain fiercely determined to stay free. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Bad deal for the U.S. provides everything Iran could have wished for

While reopening the world’s energy chokepoint will help stabilize oil prices, it’s a temporary commitment on the part of Iran, which reaps extensive financial benefits from the deal up front. The United States, meanwhile, is left hoping for a better and more extensive agreement within a two-month negotiating period, which is unlikely to be achieved now that Trump has relinquished nearly all military and economic leverage over Iran. lHalie Soifer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Anti-Israel protesters demand that Colorado release firebomber

The contempt that some Israel-bashers hold for America’s laws never ceases to surprise. Their accomplices in Boulder, Colorado, eclipsed them all on June 1, the first anniversary of Karen Diamond’s murder in a firebombing on Boulder’s Pearl Street. They are demanding the release of her convicted killer, Mohamed Soliman, who was sentenced to life plus 2,178 years in prison last month after pleading guilty to 101 charges in the attack. He injured 13 others. (Bruce S. Ticker)

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Support for Israel dangerously low among college students

Few periods of life are as formative as young adulthood. My undergraduate years profoundly shaped the interests, communities, and convictions that continue to guide me today. Much of that trajectory can be traced back to my involvement in pro-Israel student life on campus. [Karen Klein]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

JCC’s preschool graduation ignites pride and hope

The prayer, masterfully sung by Jennifer Meltzer, asks for blessings upon the teachers, upon their students, and upon the students of their students. It reminds us that learning is not simply the transfer of knowledge. It is a relationship, a chain of connection, a sacred partnership between generations. [Betzy Lynch]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts

The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Van Hollen’s OpEd in NYTimes forgets Barak & Clinton offer to Arafat

President Clinton hosted a summit at Camp David where Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Arab leader Yasser Arafat a plan for an independent state covering all of Gaza, eastern Jerusalem and 93 percent of the West Bank. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA