Palin's Pastor Problems vs. Obama's

I recently wrote a post on my personal blog that has been getting some people kind of heated. I posted some videos and a sermon given at Sarah Palin's church, which cause me grave concern over the possibility of her being elected vice president. I'd like to clarify some things. First of all, the question arose as to what part of the sermon that I posted I was referencing. The speaker of the ...

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The Blessing of a Broken Heart Hits the Stage

Award Winning Book by Terror Victim’s Mother Comes to NY and DC Stage Seven years ago, Koby Mandell, the 13 year old son of Sherri and Rabbi Seth Mandell, was stoned to death in a cave in Israel by terrorists. The news made headlines around the world, not only for its brutality, ...

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Haman's Cup Found Under 70 Year Old Briton's Bed

OK, that headline was just to grab your attention. I have no way of proving the Cup belonged to Haman from the Purim story in Megillath Esther (or from my 4th grade's modern adaptation of the biblical story), but one does wonder (or is it that one's imagination does wander?)..... Anyway, CNN.com reported yesterday that John Webber, the grandson of a British junk dealer by the name of ...

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King of Bahrain Appoints Jewish Woman to Serve as Ambassador to U.S.

According to an announcement by the official Bahrain News Agency on Thursday, King Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifah has issued a decree appointing Houda Ezra Nonoo, a Jewish woman, as an ambassador. Where she will be posted has not yet been officially stated, but she confirmed in a phone interview with the Associated Press that she will serve as ambassador to the United States. Believed to be the first Jew ever ...

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Google's Holocaust Memorial Portal

I wish I had seen this last week. It's good to see that Google is using its resources as one of the largest and most powerful information gateways to spread the word and strengthen awareness of the Holocaust in an age in which people have been using the power of the internet to spread lies and false accusations and plant ...

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What Are Our Priorities In Jewish Education?

Last night my 4th graders did an exercise where they came up with - and voted on - a list of things they would add to their "Tenaim" (traditional betrothal contract) if they were getting married or if their children were getting married. The top 3 conditions were: The other party cannot be a drug addict; the other party cannot ...

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Re: Kippot At Job Interviews

I was going to write this as a comment to an earlier post by Lavie Margolin, "I regularly wear a Kippah. Somebody told me not to wear it on an interview. What should I do?" It got a little long and in-depth, so I thought I'd post it on its own. Here it is: Unfortunately, nobody can offer solid advice. ...

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Almost Snuck Past You!

In case his name didn't give it away, now you know: Josh Radnor is Jewish. Profiled in The Forward on March 12, Radnor reveals that he grew up in Bexley, Ohio, and attended the Columbus Torah Academy through the 8th grade. He also spent a year in Israel in 1997, studying on the Livnot U'Lehibanot program. "Wait, who the heck is Josh Radnor?" ...

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If Purim Were Today OR: Purim in 2008

If Purim Were Today A Spiel by (some of) the 4th Grade Students of the Congregation Beth El Religious School in Bethesda, Maryland President Achashverosh – Vice President Haman – Zeresh -- Mordechai – Esther – Guards – President's Assistant – SCENE 1: Zeresh: Hi, Haman (every time Haman's name is mentioned, everyone on stage and off boos loudly, including Haman, who has an increasingly annoyed look on ...

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State Department (Mildly) Decries Anti-Zionism as Anti-Semitism

Yesterday, the State Department published a report in which it drew a long-ignored connection between anti-Zionism and/or opposition to Israeli policy, and anti-Semitism. In its introduction, the 94-page report states: "Anti-Semitism has proven to be an adaptive phenomenon. New forms of anti-Semitism have evolved. They often incorporate elements of traditional anti-Semitism. However, the distinguishing feature of the new anti-Semitism is criticism of Zionism or Israeli policy that -- whether intentionally or unintentionally -- has the effect ...

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