Charlottesville’s Jewish Mayor Responds to White Supremacists
Since Richard Spencer’s torch-lit rally, Charlottesville has been a flashpoint of white supremacist activism.
American Jews, Don’t be Surprised by Bibi’s Kotel Flip-Flop
North American Jewish leaders say they are shocked that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled the Kotel compromise and agreed to promote the Orthodox conversion bill. They shouldn’t be.
‘Broken Glass’ Shines at Theater J
Though a broken mirror foretells seven years of bad luck, Theater J’s production of Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass foreshadows nothing but promise from the riveting cast exquisitely directed by Aaron Posner.
Defining Anti-Semitism: A Conversation With the EU Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism
On June 1, The European Parliament adopted a working definition of anti-Semitism for the first time. The definition, borrowed from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, serves as a politically important descriptor of the phenomenon. “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” the definition reads. “Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/ or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Herzog Heirs Win Again in Fight to Recover Nazi-Looted Art
Starting with the German occupation of 1944, the case alleged, the collection was taken away from the family after years of persecution
Celebrating Ramadan in Umm al-Fahm
After nearly 70 years of statehood, most Jews don’t know the most basic information about the holiday that our neighbors celebrate. Is this the best we can do?
DC-Area Jews Demand ‘Justice for Nabra’
Two nights after the June 18 death of Nabra Hassanen, 300 people gathered in Dupont Circle in Washington DC to light candles, honor her memory, and organize against Islamophobia. “I think it’s clear that our central Jewish values call for us to stand with our neighbors when they are facing attacks,” adds Rabbi Joseph Berman, another local rabbi who attended the vigil.
The Jazz Kibbutz: A Brief History of Israel’s Jazz Scene
Israel’s jazz scene has been around since British mandate times, but really came into its own in the 90s. Thanks to trailblazers like Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, and Avi Lebovich, Israel’s jazz music is now celebrated internationally for its quality as well as its diversity – Israeli jazz is nearly as big a jumble of cultures as Israel itself. “It’s very ‘exotic’ to the American or European ear,” says Barak Weiss, “but it’s still accessible because it’s based on American music.”
Q&A: Aaron Posner Brings ‘Broken Glass’ to DC
“It’s a play that will speak very differently to different people depending on where they are in their lives.”
What ‘Genius’ Gets Right—and Wrong—About the Jewish Einstein
In the popular imagination, Albert Einstein is a benign, whimsical and endearing old man. Yet of course, the real Einstein was more complex—though he was brilliant and had his fanciful quirks, in many ways he was also self-absorbed and careless, obsessive and absent-minded to the point of callousness.
The Thermometer Interview: Anton Pelinka
Welcome to The Thermometer Interview, a new series of conversations that will test the temperature of Europe.
With America on the retreat, what happens in Europe...
A Historic Synagogue Welcomes the Future at National Pride Shabbat
It’s standing room only for National Pride Young Professionals Shabbat Dinner, located in the non-denominational, non-traditional congregation’s social hall.