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Two Issues: The Kotel and Israel's Security Needs
Image taken from the JCI have had my differences with Orthodox Jewish feminist, Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll. Some of them pretty strong. But I am very pleased to report that on the issue of pluralism at...
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So Close... and Yet So Far
A famous intermarried couple. Do we say Mazel Tov?I have always been fascinated by the Conservative Movement. Still am even as I reject their legitimacy.What fascinates me about them is that they...
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A Crisis Averted
Kiryas Joel Satmar Rebbe declared war against NYSED (YWN)There are always issues that must be resolved when the government establishes requirements as technical as those issued recently by NYSED (New...
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The Wrecking Ball in the White House
About to be former Secretary of Defense James Mattis (NPR)Yes. Sorry to say that is exactly what the the current occupant of the Oval Office is. A wreaking ball. I say this full well understanding the...
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Sometimes Rights are Not the Issue
Is opposition to a town turning into Williamsburg antisemitic? (Pew)Is opposition by non Jews to Orthodox migration into their neighborhoods antisemitic? Some of it is clearly antisemitic. Some of it...
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What is the Reality Behind NYSED's New Guidelines?
Rabbi Yaakov Bender, RY of Darchei TorahLast week I presented my views on averting the educational crisis perceived by the entire spectrum of Orthodox Jewish educators. The fear was that NYSED’s new...
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It’s a Spoof
A few weeks ago, I published a scathing attack against what I believed was a serious article by a proponent of (what was formerly known as) Open Orthodoxy (OO).It was written by Binyamin Zahav wherein...
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The Teflon Prime Minister
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Fox)Well it looks like Israel’s left wing will shortly have yet another chance to oust their nemesis, Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s Prime Minister. And it...
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Talmud Study is Not Enough
Lubavitch Mesivta in Chicago. Are religious studies enough? (Chabad News)Moshe Krakowski, an associate professor at Yeshiva University’s Azreieli Graduate School, makes a good point in hisForward...
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Behaving like a Mentch
Attorney Baruch Cohen addressing students at Valley Torah High School in LAAlthough I have never met him, Orthodox Los Angeles attorney Baruch Cohen and I have a shared experience that we would not...
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There Is No War on Jewish Education
It seems the issue won’t die. I thought I had written my final words on the subject. But I guess I haven’t. It all began with YAFFED (Young Advocates for Fair Education). They sued NYSED (New York...
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Say It Ain’t So!
Bernie Madoff (The Guardian)I cannot begin to express the disappointment I felt yesterday when I was made aware of the clay feet possessed by one of my icons. A man that I know - and have known...
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Here We Go Again!
Steelers President Art Rooney II present a check to the Jewish Federation (VIN)As we begin 2019 I note there has been a lot of reflection in the media about the year gone by. In that context, JTA...
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A Modest Proposal
Not modest enough for publication in Mishpacha?One of the hottest topics of discussion in Orthodox Jewish circles these days is the erasure of women from the public square. The most visible...
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Celebrating Rubashkin
Yated publisher, Rabbi Pinchos Lipshutz addressing the audience (screenshot)To say I was disgusted is putting it mildly.A few weeks ago a mass gathering was held that was attended by over 7000 people....
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Jewish Outreach Done Right
A still from 'Reflected Light' (Photo: Raaya Vardi Teboule - from Tablet)I believe that Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and I share similar perspectives on Judaism. Although we do sometimes disagree, I find...
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Orthodox Jewish Murderers
Aisha Rabi - Palestinian victim of 'Jewish' terrorNo matter how many times it happens, I am still shocked. (although less so with each occurrence). I’m shocked that religious Jews could kill innocent...
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Are Israeli and American Jews Headed for a Divorce?
Nobel Prize Winner & Orthodox Jew, Robert Auman. Israel needs more like himI am so... not surprised. I am not surprised that the liberal Jewish New York Times deputy Washington editor, Jonathan...
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Is Calling Someone a Reform Jew an Insult?
Adina Bar Shalom (Wikipedia)One of my heroes (actually - heroines) is Adina Bar Shalom. She is my kind of feminist. She is also the daughter of perhaps the greatest Sepahrdi Chief Rabbi Israel ever...
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Political Stability? Or Political Chaos!
Some of the Charedi Kenesset members (TOI)Republicans and Democrats. That is how our system of government has evolved. We are basically a 2 party system that more or less reflects the political makeup...
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