The Amazing Tale Of Morris ‘Two-Gun’ Cohen
One of the most colorful, albeit largely unknown, characters in contemporary Jewish history is Morris (Moishe) Abraham “Two-Gun” Cohen (1887-1970), a.k.a. “the uncrowned Jewish...
Albert Einstein’s ‘Music Of The Spheres’
Einstein once declared that while Beethoven “created” his music, Mozart's “was so pure that it seemed to have been ever-present in the universe, waiting to be discovered by the master.”
Sousa’s Jewish Connections
Sousa’s respect and affection for Liebling may explain why, for his time, the fiercely patriotic bandleader had a rather enlightened view of Jewish immigrants to the United States.
The Palestine Pavilion – 1924-25
They could view articles of Eastern craftsmanship, including Hebron glassware, Jerusalem pottery, Nazareth lace, Palestinian olive wood, and other locally manufactured products, including soap from the renowned Shemen company.
Nathan Birnbaum, Founder Of ‘Zionism’
Zionist leader, Yiddishist, journalist, and Jewish theoretician and philosopher Nathan Birnbaum (1864-1937), who sometimes used the pseudonyms “Mattisyahu Ascher” or “Mathias Acher,” is one...
What Did Philip Roth Consider To Be His Greatest Work?
Though Roth passionately rejected categorization as a “Jewish-American writer,” it is indisputable that a primary focus of his work was to brazenly, even defiantly, explore American life through a distinctly Jewish lens.
The 1928-29 Battle For The Kotel
It added that Jews had the right to “free access to the Western Wall for the purpose of devotions at all times.”
Sartre’s Muddled Views On Jews And Israel
Yet he argued that while Zionism was an important cause in the aftermath of the Holocaust, it had become irrelevant – indeed, it was now a “regressive ideology” – because, he claimed, there was no longer any foreseeable threat of anti-Semitism.
The Six-Day War: De Gaulle Vs. Ben-Gurion
This correspondence stands as one of the most brilliant and eloquent presentations of Jewish history, and perhaps the grandest exposition of the Zionist right to Eretz Yisrael, that I have ever seen.
Yom Yerushalayim, Rubinger’s Photograph, And Me
I love how Yossi Klein Halevi described it: "The image endures, in part, because of the humility it conveys..."
Catch-18: Is Yossarian Jewish?
Even the title of Catch-22 has a conspicuously Jewish angle: it was originally written as Catch-18 because the number 18 (“chai,” or “life”), which has special meaning in Judaism, was relevant to early drafts of the novel, which had a greater and clearer Jewish emphasis.
Yehudi Menuhin’s Mixed Record On Judaism And Israel
Best known for his technical mastery and emotional playing, Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) was one of the 20th century’s most distinguished violinists (as well as...
Israel’s Constituent Assembly
The elections to the Constituent Assembly, which twice had to be canceled, were eventually held on January 25, 1949, with an impressive 87 percent of eligible voters going to the polls.
Chaim Weizmann And The Weizmann Institute
Weizmann’s role as a founding father of the State of Israel is well known; less known is his role as a scientist – specifically as a pioneering biochemist.
Unusual Passover Cards
It is difficult to pin down who created the first Braille Haggadah and when.
Billy Graham And The Jews
Jacob Baal-Teshuva, an authority on Marc Chagall and one of the most distinguished international editors, appraisers, and critics of modern and contemporary art, served...
Paul Robeson And The Soviet Purge Of Russian Jews
More than 40 years after his death, Robeson retains his status as an American cultural and political icon, but he also leaves behind a sad legacy as a hero who betrayed his Jewish friends.
Herzl’s Two Trips To Eretz Yisrael
Herzl never set foot again in Eretz Yisrael during his lifetime, but he did return decades after his death in 1904 at the tragically young age of 44.
Napoleon, Eretz Yisrael, And The Jews
In the summer of 1798, Napoleon conquered Egypt and, leading an army through the Sinai Peninsula into Eretz Yisrael, took control of Jaffa and commenced a siege of Acre (1799), hoping to provoke a Syrian insurgence against the Ottomans and threaten British rule in India.
The Six-Point Agreement And The Yom Kippur War
Though ostensibly jointly drafted by the United States, Egypt, and Israel, the Kilometer 101 Agreement was criticized by supporters of Israel as driven by the United States and directed by Egypt with Russian prompting.
The Man Who Made The Beatles
Few know that in their earliest days the Beatles performed at a Jewish-owned club and at Jewish community events and generated notice in England’s religious Jewish community.
The ‘Judaism’ Of Arthur Miller And Marilyn Monroe
A recurrent theme in Miller’s work is the tragic defeats that befall common people.
Celebrating 800 Years Of The Rambam
This week’s quiz: What does Israel have in common with Bolivia, Dominica, Grenada, Grenada-Grenadines, Guinee, Lesotho, Micronesia, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, Spain, St. Vincent, and...
I’m Dreaming Of A White Chanukah…
But by no means does the rich irony underscoring the Jewish domination of Christmas songs end with Berlin.
When Eisenstaedt Met Hemingway
Hemingway’s antipathy to Eisenstaedt may well have been attributable to his general contempt for Jews.
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