America’s prisons are outrageously unjust

The over-policing of America, which results in the disproportionate incarceration of people of color, and the numerous flaws in the judicial system, most particularly highlighted in sentencing disparities by race and class, and habitual offender (aka three-strikes) laws, have contributed greatly to the travesty of the American prison system. It is time for the whole country to demand extensive prison reforms and remove the stigma of the current prison system that dishonors America and puts it to shame. [Alon Ben-Meir]

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Alon Ben-Meir, USA

A Torah giant, up close and personal

Myriads of articles and books will be written on the life and legacy of Rav Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, who passed away on Friday, the 17th of Av, and was buried on Har Hazeitim – the Mount of Olives. The diversity of people who accompanied him to his final rest spoke to the miracles he accomplished in his lifetime. Once in a generation – if we’re lucky – are we to witness to the creation of such a vast body of Torah work by one person; he has revolutionized Jewish scholarship for hundreds of thousands – perhaps millions — of people, and for future generations. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who was a keynote speaker at a dinner in honor of the Rav in 2018, said, “He was trained as a scientist but has the soul of a poet.” [Toby Klein Greenwald]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Toby Klein Greenwald

Newsom urged to veto Weber’s ethnic studies bill

A coalition of 90 groups, many of them Jewish, has called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto a bill by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) that would mandate students take an ethnic studies course in order to graduate from the California State University (CSU) system.  Specifically, the bill would require a course be taken in any of the following four areas: African-American Studies, Asian-American Studies,  Latinx Studies, and Native American Studies. (SDJW staff report)

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

The solidarity Israel needs to offer Lebanon

The human impact of the recent massive explosion in a port warehouse district in Beirut cannot leave anyone indifferent. It has left a gaping wound among the already maimed Lebanese population, which has suffered a prolonged existential economic crisis. The international community is questioning how the aggravated crisis in Lebanon will affect a region as volatile as the Middle East. The answer will depend entirely on Israel, on its ability to deliver what the world expects from it: to become the light to the nations and radiate that light to the region and the entire world. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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Middle East

Torah for Children: Helping others

Moses goes on to describe how to help those in need. Every third year, part of a farms harvest is to be left in the field for the poor, so that “the Lord your God may bless you in all” you do. If there is a “needy person among you…open your hand and lend him” enough “for whatever he needs…and…God will bless. You in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.” [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Israel, UAE sign peace accord, Trump announces

Via Twitter, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, Aug. 13, that a third Arab country, the United Arab Emirates, has agreed to a formal peace with Israel, following the lead of Egypt and Jordan, which respectively normalized relations with Israel in 1979 and 1994. Trump’s Tweet included a joint statement with Trump from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Seeing and choosing the righteous path

Is your glass half empty, half filled, or as mine is, filled with 6 ounces of water? Yes, “the link is what you think,” and this week’s Torah reading underscores this idea with its words, “See, this day I set before you a blessing and a curse…” Couldn’t this pasuk have begun, “This day I set before you blessing and curse…”? Why begin with “See”?[Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

NHL’s Halpern a Jewish sports honoree

Halpern will become only the second hockey player to be inducted into the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, joining Mike Hartman, who played 58 of his 397 career games with the 1992- 93 Lightning during nine NHL seasons. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also has been so honored. The induction ceremony at Temple Israel of Lawrence on Long Island, New York., was originally planned for April 26, but the Coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the program until 2021, at a date to be announced. Among this year’s other inductees are former Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, author Mitch Albom, boxing analyst Al Bernstein, and the late Ed Sabol and his son, Steve, co-founders of NFL Films. [Bruce F. Lowitt]

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Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, USA

Playing election politics with the coronavirus

Trump played magician on Saturday when he announced a series of unilateral steps that is all flash and no substance. At first glance, he told America that the public will continue to receive unemployment checks and continue a moratorium on evictions. Reporters swiftly exposed the fine print. Trump said people will receive $400 weekly instead of the $600 they were receiving until July 31. But then each state must contribute $100 of that money, which means that the feds would offer $300. Nor would the provisions guarantee the eviction moratorium. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA