Think about the modern-day economic miracle that is Israel and what probably comes to mind is the unceasing vertical expansion of a few metropolis-like cities carved out of the desert, a vast array of religious holy site and lush beaches, adjacent to lively bars and restaurants. It is the country with the most patents per capita of any nation in … Read More

In May 2022, a deeply disturbed teenager attired in military garb walked into a Buffalo, NY supermarket and used a rifle to brutally murder ten Black people. Witnesses described the shooter’s demeanor as “robotic.” Tops grocery store A couple of days ago, that assailant pleaded guilty to multiple charges and is awaiting sentencing, which will likely be life in prison … Read More

The Holocaust has been called “the greatest crime in history.” Sadly, if recent national surveys are even remotely accurate, it has already faded from America’s collective memory to a startling degree. As I’ve indicated in this column several times, Millennials and younger are revealed to be dismayingly uneducated on the subject, to the extent that roughly 20% of New York … Read More

Every time in Jerusalem feels like the first time.   But there is a force, a powerful magnet, always drawing me to the Kotel. No matter what prosaic thing I may be doing, it’s always on the fringes of my consciousness. As I wander the streets of the Old City, inching ever closer, the pull becomes stronger.   As much for … Read More

I love science. In part, that inclination was handed down to me by my father, who was a physician. To an equal extent, it speaks to my optimism that the secrets of the universe can be unlocked to solve humanity’s problems. Curing virulent diseases, combatting climate change, eradicating world hunger, increasing the world’s fresh water supply and tapping into unlimited … Read More

  If the Federation had only… “Founded an Antisemitism Hotline to protect the safety and security of the Jewish residents of Ulster County Dayenu “Launched the Ulster County Holocaust Awareness Initiative, responding to poor Holocaust Education in area schools and universities Dayenu “Introduced and successfully lobbied for unanimous passage of a Resolution Against Antisemitism in the Ulster County Legislature Dayenu … Read More

We’re endlessly amused by the essentially semitic game “Who’s the Jew?” In my house, we fervently celebrate the Jewish identity of celebrities, athletes, artists and writers or historical figures famous or obscure, and bitterly lament the transgressions of Jewish bad actors (see Madoff, Bernard). The annals of Rock n’ Roll history are imbued with major Jewish stars who’ve left an … Read More

It’s hard to relate to news occurring on the other side of the world, despite the media coverage and talking heads analyzing grand themes like the future of NATO and the price of gasoline. Such it is with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We know its importance from an intellectual perspective, but on an emotional level, for many of us … Read More

Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) is a time to reflect on the origins of Israel as the Jewish National State, the fulfillment of the Zionist dream.  Most Jews need little reminder Israel had its own “George Washington,” one David Ben-Gurion, born David Grün (Gruen) in Poland in 1886. He united the various militias into the Israel Defense Force, emerged victorious … Read More