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Jewish Nude: Israeli Model Bar Refaeli on Cover of Esquire
By
Brad Hirschfield
Ranked repeatedly as one of the world’s “hottest” women, Bar Refaeli appears nude on the cover of the July edition of Esquire. Pictures from the shoot can be seen here. But before you head there, consider the following: The pictures appeal with the word “morality” scrawled across Refaeli’s body. Does this suggest that there is…
Killing Doctors Who Perform Abortions: A Jewish Perspective
By
Brad Hirschfield
Dr. George Tiller was murdered, it seems, because he performed abortions. Those who defend such actions justify them by claiming that it is entirely appropriate to kill a person in order to prevent their killing others. Are they right? It’s important to ask this question, upsetting as it may be, because the fundamental claim (no…
Child Sacrifice is More Common Than You Think
By
Brad Hirschfield
Of course, child sacrifice should horrify us. But the fact that it still exists, and is making headlines in a number of states, should not really surprise us. After all, the notion of using the life of one’s child to prove the depth of one’s faith and commitment is present in virtually all of the…
Israel, Palestine and a Triumph for Freedom of Speech
By
Brad Hirschfield
Time Magazine has an article under the banner Postcard from Ramallah. It describes a compelling exercise in freedom of speech and conscious worthy of celebration, regardless of what one thinks of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories or even the wall/security barrier/fence itself. Sadly, the story is told with such rage at Israel,…
Favorite Shavuot Practices
By
Brad Hirschfield
Shavuot, literally the festival of weeks and known to Christians as Pentecost, begins tomorrow night. And this year especially, I find myself excited about some of its special traditions. I love staying up all night studying, talking, and eating cheesecake with friends. I love walking into our synagogue and seeing it covered in fresh greenery,…
Poor, Jewish and on the Lower East Side: The New American Girl Doll
By
Brad Hirschfield
Normally, I save my musings about American Girl dolls and their roll in life for home – we have three daughters ranging in age from 15 – 8, so it’s not unfamiliar territory. But comments about the release of the new doll, due out May 31st, are stunningly revelatory about common attitudes towards Jews and…
Carrie Prejean, Queen Esther and Evangelical Christians
By
Brad Hirschfield
David Gibson’s piece on Carrie Prejean, Queen Esther and American Evangelicals was an eye-opener for me, and I am not even entirely clear about his conclusion. But the fact that the conflict-embroiled Miss USA wannabe is being touted by many Christians as a contemporary Queen Esther is pretty interesting. And in some ways, they have…
Orthodox Women Rabbis: Possibility or Prank?
By
Brad Hirschfield
Can Women in the Orthodox community join their fellow- (no pun intended) females in the rabbinic ranks of the Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, and post-denominational movements? This article about Orthodox women rabbis, announces the opening of a new program which seems to answer “yes”, “no” and “maybe” all at the same time. Why should there…
Bible Bill is a Great Idea…In Theory
By
Brad Hirschfield
The so-called Bible bill which Georgia Republican Congressman, Paul Broun is trying to make into law, is a wonderful idea…in theory. What’s wrong with a law which would declare 2010 the “year of the Bible”? Given that we already have days for secretaries, months for reading and have parsed the calendar for just about every…
Bronx Synagogues Targeted by Terrorists
By
Brad Hirschfield
When my daughter asked me last night why there were so many helicopters flying over our home, I told her there was probably an accident on the expressway closest to our house. I left out the possibility that they were hovering over a nearby portion of the Hudson River into which someone may have fallen,…
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