As a follow-up to last week’s essay on music and its role in our faith’s observances, consider the following sent to me this week by one of Israel’s leading theologians, Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, entitled, “The Divine Word Is Deadly, Only A Melody Can Rescue It.” more

It seems the entire world is reeling from the heinous terror attacks in Paris. Paris. The City of Light. Of beautiful romance. Culture. And culinary delights. And so, the entire world mourns with … more

Yom Ha-Atzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day, has always been a complex day for me. As a child growing up in Jerusalem, would I be taken to join the live musical festivities or, because … more

On Saturday, Michael Blake, vice-chairman of the national Democrat Party and a state assemblymember from the Bronx, issued a threatening tweet against those who “keep coming” after … more

From one Shabbat to the next, we traveled from moments of al eleh ani bochiya (for these I weep) to nachamu nachamu ami (take comfort, take comfort, my people). Between these two points in Jewish … more

On Sept. 20, while American Jews were preparing for the Rosh Hashanah, Rasmea Yousef Odeh, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), arrived in Jordan after being tossed … more

Many people feel the need to be noticed. They dye their hair neon green, or they wear immodest clothing, or they say things that are intended to shock. They will do anything to keep the limelight … more

Seventy-one years ago, this week, on July 17, 1947, a rickety old steamship named the President Warfield was renamed Exodus 1947. It was closely trailed by three British navy ships, but that … more

After the feasting that is so much a part of a joyous Rosh Hashana, I almost welcome Yom Kippur as a day to NOT focus on food and to let my system have a very long rest. The problem with … more

The Torah has many poetic passages that engage our minds and cause our hearts to soar. Paradoxically, a number of these sections were uttered by none other than Bilam, the evil prophet from the … more