Hiding behind progression: Jewish passivity in the 1960s and beyond in America

The 1960s marked a time of revolution and confrontation for many minorities, including Jews. However, Jews hardly addressed their experiences of anti-Semitism during this time. Why did they not respond to discrimination, and what should we should do now to solve the resulting crisis?

Is it time to move to Israel already? And other questions about the future of Diaspora Judaism

The Impetus: What happened? As most of the world is abundantly aware, on Jan. 7, two radical Muslim terrorists charged the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 journalists whom they held responsible for depicting the prophet…

The practicality of the Shurat Hadin lawsuit

Last Monday, a US jury ordered the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to pay over $218 million to the victims (and their families) of terrorist attacks in Israel that the PA provided material support for. The trial provided…

A “not so special relationship,” but a surprising impartiality

As murmurs in Hebrew permeated the room and the predominantly sprightly, older crowd found their seats, it became quickly evident that this event would exude a vibrant energy. Hosted by the UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and entitled “Not…

Legal battle over passport highlights United States’ refusal to recognize Jerusalem as a part of Israel

A United States passport is one of the most powerful documents in the world. It entitles the holder to travel unimpeded throughout most of the world’s countries, and affords the full protection of the United States government. Like all passports,…

Israel refuses to take sides on Ukrainian crisis

While the maelstrom that has enveloped Russia-Ukraine relations continues to whirl, Israel has done its best to steer clear of the fray. The Jerusalem Post reported Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s statement on the matter: “[Israel’s] basic position is that…

Religiously ROTC: the pros and cons of being Jewish in the US military

Rising tuition has long been a favorite gripe of college students, as those of us not blessed with the resources to get through education attempt to reconcile the harsh reality of paying many thousands of dollars per year and possibly…

American Jews recognized with their own heritage month

Irving Berlin. Joan Rivers. Groucho Marx. Sarah Silverman. Fanny Brice. Lou Jacobs. Sophie Tucker. Barbara Streisand. Harry Houdini. George Gershwin. These are comedians, magicians, songwriters, performers, actresses, composers, singers, and even a clown. They are also all Jewish, yes —…

Arming Syrian rebels could threaten Israel’s security

As the death toll continues to climb in Syria’s bloody, two-year-old civil war, concerns over Israel’s security mount as well, over the various embargoes against supplying arms to the rebel forces. As the European Union and other countries are considering…

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…