Category Archives: Judaism

Voting the “straight Israel ticket”

It’s campaign season in the US, and like clockwork, out come the Jews who ask only one question when deciding for whom to vote: “Which candidate is the strongest supporter of Israel?” It is not unheard of to hear such people express the opinion that Jews who consider issues other than support for Israel when… Read More »

On “School Choice”

It’s campaign season in the US, and one of the issues that comes up during every campaign is “school choice.” “School choice” is a code word for school voucher programs, through which money would be taken away from public schools and given to private schools instead. In other words, under a school voucher program, if… Read More »

Idealism vs. pragmatism in genocide prevention

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has set off a firestorm by refusing to endorse House Resolution 106, which calls upon the Federal government to recognize the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The ADL’s position is consistent with their longstanding policy not to get involved in the debate. They don’t… Read More »

Homosexuality in the Conservative Movement

Conservative Judaism’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) of the Rabbinical Assembly has recently approved three responsa on the question of ordaining avowed homosexuals as rabbis and cantors. The way the CJLS works, any of the three positions is now considered valid within Conservative Judaism, and individual rabbis may choose which to follow.