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

March was officially National Women’s History month, which afforded an opportunity to consider the legacy of an extraordinary Jewish woman who passed away in 2020. There are hardly words enough to express our lingering sense of loss at the death of Civil Rights icon, gender equality champion and distinguished Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg. … Read More