Windows and Doors

Millions turned out to publicly mourn the passing, 21 years ago, of Ayatollah Khomeni who led the revolution which overthrew the despotic Shah of Iran and replaced him with a totalitarian Islamic theocracy. Worth the trade? I hardly think so. But that is not the real question today, as speeches given by the current leadership…

As usual with New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, when it comes to Israel, today’s offering, entitled “Saving Israel From Itself”,” presents a disturbing mix of reasonable conclusions (blockade is generally destructive to all, including Israel), ugly and erroneous equivalences (PLO terror of the past and the ship boarding are the same kinds of actions),…

The response to the raid on a flotilla of ships seeking to break the naval blockade around Gaza turns out to be a fascinating, if troubling Rorshach test on the entire Middle East conflict. You know Rorshcach tests – those ink blots to which viewers can attach the meaning of their choice. Well that’s what…

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. So go the words of Exodus 20:8, and in the rabbinic understanding of how to fulfill them, there is an important message that will help us make this Memorial Day a little more meaningful. And having recently crossed the threshold of 1,000 dead service personnel in Iraq…

Yesterday at the White House was a moving experience, and a great deal more pleasant than the six hours it took to get home! But that is another story in the worsening state of air travel in America and not central to what it was like celebrating Jewish American Heritage month with President and Mrs.…

So its official, American Idol 2010 has a winner and it’s Lee DeWyze. DeWyzes’ victory over the other finalist, Crystal Bowersox, came as no huge surprise to many of the show’s fans and followers in the media. Even though many of them have been saying that Crystal deserved to win, they were often just as…

The Bible is being increasingly used to “prove” what a moral, ethical, spiritual, Jewish or Christian (take your pick) stance on US immigration policy would look like. More often than not, such Bible thumping generates more heat than light. But it’s especially interesting since the Hebrew Bible’s commands that we welcome strangers, may not include…

I will be spending Thursday afternoon at the White House as part of a group invited by President Obama to join him in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. I feel deeply honored to have received this invitation. And whatever one thinks about this President, his administration, its policies on Israel, etc. if you love…

This recently discovered color footage from Israel is remarkable stuff! There are many good reasons to watch it. Among them is the story of it’s discovery in a Boston attic, Shimon Peres’ words at the 11 minute mark in which he describes what it means to build a fortune of love and good will, and…

Shavuot 2010 (Pentecost) begins Tuesday night, May 18th. This holiday, originally the festival of first fruits in the Hebrew Bible came to be associated with the story of God giving the Ten Commandments to the ancient Israelites as recorded in the Book of Exodus. Later on, it also became associated with Jesus’ return to his…

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