After the destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem, the people reacted with extreme grief. The centerpiece of their lives, of their Judaism, had been destroyed. How were they to go on? They … more

Last month — or 16 years ago in Trump years — the White House disinvited a cartoonist named Ben Garrison to a meeting of right-wing media influencers. It had been pointed out that … more

Although I’m a political junkie and follow politics 24/6, I hate early debates, Republican or Democratic. Ten people are great for a minyan, but two nights of ten people arguing gives me a … more

This week on Twitter, a Jewish writer in Los Angeles decided to dispense some advice to her followers. Ariel Sobel had become aware that a small group of white supremacists was compiling a list … more

Britain now has its first celebrity prime minister, and the Jewish world is asking: “Will Boris Johnson be good for the Jews?” Johnson has entertained and scandalized Britain for … more

The haftarah of Chazon, the opening chapter of Yeshayahu, includes a message from G-d that is very hard to understnd. “Of what use are your many sacrifices to Me? says the L-rd. I am … more

His face is a study of pure determination, seeking every depression in the rock. There is little room for mistake. One slip will result in a 3,200-foot free-fall to the valley floor below. But he … more

With the observance of Tisha B’ Av almost upon us, a new biography was recently published by ArtScroll entitled Faith Amid the Flames, the story of Holocaust survivor Reb Yosef Friedenson, … more

Summer eating is the best eating of the year, as far as I’m concerned. It’s light and quick and relaxed and far less labor-intensive all the way around. The foods of summer are … more

Each year, during the Nine Days, I marvel at the number of people waiting on line at the kosher dairy restaurants around town. Many of these people don’t tend to eat out often during the … more