What to make of the news that a neo-Nazi gunman killed a security guard at the US Holocaust Museum in Washington DC? Rabbi Marvin Hier says it shows “that the cancer of hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism is alive and well in America.” According to President Obama, it means “we must remain vigilant against anti-Semitism and [...]
Archive for the ‘Anti-Semitism’ Category
Holocaust Museum Post Mortem
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Fear, Holocaust, Terrorism on June 11, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Is BDS anti-Semitism?
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Global Activism, Human Rights, Israel, Nonviolence, Palestine, Politics, Zionism on April 1, 2009 | 16 Comments »
For many Jews, no three letters seem to conjure up rage and fury as effectively as “BDS.” Still, I have a strong suspicion that we’ll be hearing them bandied about increasingly in the coming months.
Since the Gaza war, the movement for global Boycott/ Divestment/ Sanctions against Israel seems to have gained new momentum. Among its [...]
The Passion of the Rourke
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Kabbalah, Movie Reviews, Movies, Religion, Spirituality on January 7, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Just saw “The Wrestler” and loved it. Loved Mickey Rourke’s performance. Loved the new Springsteen song. (Not sure the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce will love it so much…)
I also enjoyed the director’’s earlier movie takes on kabbalah and the Tree of Life. And here’s the thing: “The Wrestler” is a pretty spiritual movie too. [...]
How to Talk to the Enemy
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Interfaith, Iran, Israel, Politics, Religion on October 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
What would you say to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if you had the chance? My friend and colleague Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb had this extraordinary opportunity last month at an Iftaar dinner in which Ahmadinejad met with several religious peace groups during his visit to the US. Rabbi Gottlieb was among the few Jews to attend the dinner, [...]
Jews’ Views Redux
Posted in American Judaism, Anti-Semitism, Israel, Palestine, Politics, Religion, Terrorism on January 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Some interesting responses to my last post on the AJC 2007 American Jewish Opinion survey. I was happy to read Eric Alterman’s response to my thoughts about his Nation article on his own blog, Altercation. (And I was especially thrilled that he described himself as a Reconstructionist at heart!)
He went on with this response to [...]
Jews’ Views in 2007
Posted in American Judaism, Anti-Semitism, Israel, Palestine, Politics, Religion, Terrorism on January 2, 2008 | 5 Comments »
Before we bid a final farewell to the year that was, I thought it might be interesting to take a quick look at the American Jewish Committee’s recently unveiled 2007 survey of American Jewish opinion.
Among other things, the survey indicated that the American Jewish community remains firmly ensconced on the liberal/progressive side of the political [...]
Perfect Me!
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Comedy, Movies, Politics on October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I’ve purposely stayed away from commenting on Ann Coulter, as I have no interest in helping her sell more books, but this new clip is too brilliant not to share…
Racism and Infection
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Judaism, Politics, Religion, Religion/Politics, Torah Commentary on June 1, 2007 | 10 Comments »
As this week’s Torah portion opens, Aaron and Miriam unexpectedly disparage their brother Moses:
When they were in Hatzerot, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married: “He married a Cushite woman!” (Parashat Beha’alotecha, Numbers 12:1)
Moses’ siblings’ comment is confusing on a number of levels. In the first place, it’s [...]
Poetry of Genocide
Posted in Africa, Anti-Semitism, Darfur, Global Activism, Holocaust, Judaism, Poetry, Religion, Religion/Politics on April 15, 2007 | 5 Comments »
In honor of Yom Hashoah (”Holocaust Remembrance Day”), here are two poems by survivors of genocide: one by the great Jewish/Italian writer Primo Levi (who died twenty years ago this month) and the other by Emtithal Mahmoud, a 13-year-old Darfur native who now lives in Philadelphia.
Please participate in the upcoming Global Days For Darfur – [...]
The Trauma of Remembrance
Posted in Anti-Semitism, Fear, Judaism, Purim, Religion, Terrorism, Torah Commentary on March 14, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Therefore, when the LORD your God grants you safety from all your enemies around you, in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as a hereditary portion, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!(Deuteronomy 25:19)
Tonight we begin Shabbat Zachor (”The Shabbat of Rembrance”) – [...]
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