Our Rabbi, My Mentor

Posted on: February 15th, 2012

Rabbi Avraham Ginzberg, who passed away earlier this month, will be remembered by many for his fifty-plus years as executive director of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, New York. He will be remembered by his congregants as “our rabbi” – the spiritual leader of our small shul attached to the yeshiva.

Education The Only Antidote To Israel’s Racial Tensions

Posted on: February 15th, 2012

Over the past several weeks, protests have spread throughout Israel calling for a response to racism targeting the country's Ethiopian community. Sparked by a Channel 2 story on discrimination in Kiryat Malachi, citizens have taken to the streets to show their outrage at the status quo.

Going To War Against Anti-Israel Hackers

Posted on: February 15th, 2012

The real heroes of our age are pencil-protector geeks. They sit at home, behind their keyboards, determining the rules of the game that you and I live by – and we trust them to do so. They love toys. They love games. They enjoy battle. They are at the forefront of the cyber war that is enveloping the world.

Israel’s Opportunity To Strike Iran

Posted on: February 15th, 2012

Read the first five books of the Bible and the Book of Joshua. In them, God clearly specified what was expected of Israel: obedience, righteousness and faith being the gist of it. God blessed Israel when it obeyed, and when Israel faltered, God unleashed abundant wrath.

Adir Zik and I Climb Up Temple Mount

Posted on: February 10th, 2012

Moshe Feiglin's custom of going up to the top of Temple Mount once a month brought back memories of my own climb, eight years ago.

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A Decade Of Prayer For The U.S. Military

Posted on: February 8th, 2012

While thousands of U.S. soldiers recently returned home from the Middle East, their redeployment to the area may be imminent due to the ongoing developments on the Iranian nuclear front.

Post-Zionist Academics Further Israel’s Delegitimization

Posted on: February 8th, 2012

Aside from the obvious looming dangers associated with a nuclear-armed Iran as well as attendant regional menaces, there exists an equally explosive strategic threat to Israel emanating from the country’s post-Zionist and anti-Zionist circles.

Our Attraction To Drama, Alcohol And Other Distractions …And What To Do About It

Posted on: February 8th, 2012

Our blinding attraction to drama has captivated so many of us. We love to live it, watch it, or even worse, create it.

Likud Elections Exposed

Posted on: February 8th, 2012

A few weeks ago I was asked by a friend in Likud to offer my services as a non-partisan ballot member for the upcoming Likud elections. I was a perfect fit since I have never been a Likud member and have never endorsed a candidate in any Likud primary election. So I stepped up and got the job.

Why Haredim Have An Image Problem With Most Israelis

Posted on: February 8th, 2012

The most dreaded status in Israeli society is to be considered a frier – a sucker, a boob, stupid and unable to withstand being taken advantage of.

The Greatest Gift I Ever Gave

Posted on: February 1st, 2012

Ordinarily, Chanukah is a time to hug and kiss the kids as we sing in front of the menorah. This past Chanukah was an exception. Instead of putting my arms around my children, I watched them light the menorah on a streaming video from my iPad while I rested comfortably in my hospital bed.

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The Mufti Influences An American Election

Posted on: February 1st, 2012

A Palestinian mufti has called for violence against Jews, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is demanding Palestinian leaders disavow him and America's presidential race could be affected.

Slow, Steady Growth

Posted on: February 1st, 2012

After three-plus years of economic challenge and uncertainty, we remain anxious for positive news, the kind that will finally let us believe the worst is fully behind us. Unfortunately, the outlook for the 2012 global economy remains uninspiring: recession in Europe, anemic growth in the U.S. and a sharp slowdown in China and other emerging-market economies all weigh on economist forecasts.

On Arab Anti-Semitism, From Indifference To Complicity

Posted on: February 1st, 2012

People expressing reasonable, measured criticism of Israel cannot, of course, be considered anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. However, animus to Zionism itself – simply the existence of the democratic Jewish state – frequently betrays denial of Jews’ basic rights and history.

Men And Temptation: Beyond The Bus

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

There is a culture war raging in Israel. The extremists are pushing for an ever-expanding division of the sexes – including separate seating on public buses – and the moderates are refusing to go along for the ride. The struggle has filled newspapers and blogs the world over. And it raises a larger question. How [...]

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Puah Institute: A Pristine Legacy Deserving Acclaim

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

The recent brouhaha surrounding the Puah Institute Conference in Jerusalem (the distinguished panel of speakers did not include women) completely missed the point. In a typical rush to judgment, the media and other detractors turned a heretofore non-issue into an outcry over discrimination, and therein lies the rub.

Surviving Bullying, Silencing And Torment For Being Gay In The Frum Community

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

It’s been more than six months since The Jewish Press published an op-ed titled “Orthodox Homosexuals and the Pursuit of Self Indulgence.” In the article, the writer, while not mentioning my name, calls me shameless and self-indulgent and suggests that I learn to suffer in silence.

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Whatever Happened To Derech Eretz?

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

Years ago at a Torah Umesorah convention, I heard a presenter state that there is a correlation between derech eretz and the distance one is from New York.

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Jerusalem’s Old Young Israel

Posted on: January 25th, 2012

Recently my wife and I spent Shabbat in Jerusalem with some friends. They made aliyah a year and a half ago and invited us to spend the day with them in the Holy City.

Building Bridges To Save A City And A Nation

Posted on: January 19th, 2012

Yes, it is true. I, a haredi with right-wing political leanings, stood on the same stage with representatives of Yisrael Chofshit, Hitorirut Yerushalayim, and Meretz – three secular and very left wing groups – at the massive rally in Beit Shemesh on the last night of Chanukah.