A staple of any Jewish argument are the extraneous opinions and questions that are lobbed back and forth. As the saying goes, “if you have two Rabbis in a room, you end up with 3 opinions”. I realized that I…
The National Identity of Iranian Jews, As Manifested in their Intellectual & Judeo-Persian Contributions
Historically, Jews settled in Iran, and other areas later considered a part of the Iranian Empire, on four significant occasions. The first occasion was after the Fall of Israel in 744 BC when the Israelites were relocated by the Assyrian…
A Centrist Manifesto on Israel
I am a Jew devoted to Israel. I believe that Jewish life cannot be sustained without Israel at its core, and Israel cannot be sustained without the Jewish people at its side. When I look at Israel, I do not…
The American-Jewish Songbook: Love Songs
When I think back to my earliest Jewish experiences, it’s hard not to think about music. Passover was the euphoria of “Dayenu”, Yom Kippur the devastating elegance of “Avinu Malkeinu”. I remember birthdays and bar mitzvahs and weddings–lots and lots…
Why You Should Get Involved in your Local Jewish Community
Getting involved in your local Jewish community may seem like a daunting task, but you may not realize how welcoming and open most Jewish communities are. Unlike most “religious” communities, people can get involved in their local Jewish community without…
I’m Keeping Shabbat This Year, Here’s Why
There are five days of the workweek and two days of the weekend, and many of us work on every one of them. Such is the life of a young adult in 2019. Shabbat served as a continuation of my…
TV Shows that Celebrate Judaism
With so many Jews prominent in the entertainment world, Jewish themes, characters, and holidays are bound to come up in TV shows. As a fellow Jew, it is joyous to see my religious background expressed on television. By foregoing the…
Meaningful Clothes: Spiritual Attire Then and Now
When I was a kid, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about going to synagogue, but I especially hated having to get dressed up for temple. Putting on fancy clothes just reinforced the formality and discomfort of the whole experience. If prayer…
SMC Student Raises Over $700 Through Instagram to Help the Less Fortunate
In fall of 2018, Ava Z 21, raised over $700 for socks, sanitary products, and hygiene kits for the homeless with the help of her friend, Adina Jalali. Z, a sociology student at Santa Monica College, said she first thought…
10 Lesser Known Influential Jewish Women
Women need to take up more space. Here are 10 women, all Jewish, who have done so in their fields and the world. However, these are not your Gloria Steinems or your Ruth Bader Ginsbergs. For this piece, I wish…