September 14, 2021
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This Sept. 11 marked 20 years since the largest terror attack on U.S. soil, and while the horrific sights of planes crashing into the World Trade Center is vivid for many adults, today’s youth represent a new generation that cannot recall the atmosphere of a nation coming together after experiencing major trauma. For the Israelis […]
Continue readingSeptember 13, 2021
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Kol haolam kulo gesher tzar meod. V’haikar lo lifached klal. The whole world is a very narrow bridge. The main thing is not to fear. Sung in summer camp or at youth group retreats, these words of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav are well known. But let me point out something not so obvious. The lyrics […]
Continue readingJune 28, 2021
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A Minneapolis policing referendum that is heading for an Election Day showdown took an unnecessary turn last week when the name of George Soros was used on the website of a pro-police/pro-reform group’s website. Operation Safety Now, which has reported ties to a public relations effort to help Minneapolis’ police chief and the embattled Minneapolis […]
Continue readingMay 21, 2021
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Those not infected by extremism and hatred began to meet it with the mixture of black humor, determination, and PTSD that defend and define each of us in Israel.
Continue readingMay 18, 2021
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On Thursday, May 13, I was part of a crowd of Minnesotans gathered at the State Capitol building in St. Paul to show our support for the State of Israel during the current efforts to defend its citizens from the aggression of the recognized Palestinian terror organization Hamas. Following many rockets on Israeli citizens, the […]
Continue readingMay 13, 2021
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Over the course of this past year, I have spent countless hours leading conversations about Israel using a curriculum called iEngage Israel. The program which was offered in a half dozen Minneapolis synagogues was sponsored by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Rather than discuss the history or politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we discussed Jewish values […]
Continue readingMay 13, 2021
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Tired, scared, isolated. That’s how it’s felt in recent days with the current round of violence in Israel. Even though we aren’t under threat of actual rockets or airstrikes here in Minnesota, it can often feel like we are. I’m accused of supporting ethnic cleansing, white supremacy and genocide against Palestinians by the left. The […]
Continue readingApril 27, 2021
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Dear Sholom Community: Dear Sholom Community: Our world is now a full year into an unprecedented pandemic which has tested each and every person and organization. Depending on where you look, people and organizations have responded in a variety of ways — some good, some not so good — and very few have navigated this […]
Continue readingMarch 18, 2021
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I dedicate these words to our neighbor George Floyd (z”l), may his memory be for a revolution. A new Pharaoh rose up over Egypt who knew not Joseph. Now, when we ended the book of Genesis, Joseph and Pharoah had a close relationship — you remember how cozy those two were, saving all the Egyptians […]
Continue readingJanuary 21, 2021
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While studying abroad in Spain during junior year, I decided to visit a college friend in Egypt and check the pyramids of Giza off my bucket list. There I stood, a poor college student gazing up at one of the worlds’ greatest wonders. I wanted to staple this moment in my mind, and so I […]
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