A review of Geraldine Brooks: stories that transcend time

School was out and it was time for my customary summer bookstore expedition. After taking an unnecessarily long, albeit usual, amount of time browsing the shelves, I happened upon People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Based on the history…

A tale of two communities: Jews and Thanksgiving

For those of us still recuperating from a turkey and pumpkin pie torpor and the ensuing blitz of shopping and sales, the holiday season often fails to elicit any meaningful discourse on appreciation and thanks. Instead, it seems the principles…

Is G-d racist? The Jewish take on the chosen people

Article contributed by JAM Rabbi Avner Engel ————————————————- Why did G-d create you? Does he need you? To say such a thing would imply that G-d is lacking, which is the opposite of Judaism’s infinite, all-powerful G-d. The only thing…

Photo Essay: Pro-Israel Rally in LA and on campus
LA Rally Photos by Talia Kamdjou, Campus Rally Photos by Tessa Nath
War on campus: Gaza rocket disaster brought to UCLA

Free free Palestine. Long live the intifada. Intifada. Intifada. Thursday, November 15 witnessed these slogans ring forth from the mouths of students on the lawn in front of Kerckhoff Hall. About 30 students gathered with signs declaring “Free Palestine,” “Stop…

Israel on the backburner: is Obama too busy for the Jewish state?

This article is in response to an op-ed piece by Thomas Friedman published in the New York Times on November 10th, 2012. I would like to express my utmost respect for Mr. Friedman as a renowned journalist and state that…

A helpmate opposite him: the Jewish vision of respecting women

This article is in response to the piece published in Ha’Am on October 21st, 2012. I would like to make it clear that I respect the writer of the original article, and welcome all further discussion of this issue. Religious…

Kosher Korner: Thanksgiving Pot Pie

Many of us spend the third Thursday in November being thankful for our family, friends and freedom. One of my blessings comes the next day: I am thankful for leftovers. This unique dish is the perfect way to get rid…

Eco-pollution: Israel’s silent threat

Israel is advertised as one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the world. Perhaps most well known is the Israeli irrigation drip system, which involves a hose that slowly drips water directly to the root of the plant, strategically…

Election night: a look at a congressional legend

From 7 a.m. today until 8 p.m. tonight, millions of Americans will engage in their ultimate civic duty and vote for the president of the United States and various other local politicians and initiatives. While it would be foolhardy to…