Along with countless Jews throughout the ages, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about how to justify belief in the Torah through rational argument. It is certainly possible to maintain a belief in Judaism or anything else through simple faith, without regard for whether there is any rational underpinning for one’s beliefs.… Read More: Is Judaism any less weird than Mormonism or Scientology? »
Passing on an email message that was forwarded to me: From: Gary Buchwald <Gary7@alum.mit.edu> Please take the time to read this brief email and help in any way you can. The email below is currently being circulated by the family of an Agunah, Susie Rosenfeld, who currently lives in Oceanside. It has started a barrage… Read More: Help aguna Susan Rosenfeld »
I just saw an announcement for a talk being given tonight in a Boston Jewish venue by a visiting rabbi who shall rename nameless. The title of the talk is, “Self-Righteousness — Going on an Ego Trip”. The announcement of the talk included the following biography of the speaker (emphases mine): Rabbi [deleted] was born… Read More: Rabbinic irony »
A few days ago, I flew off the handle and attacked someone on the jewish-boston mailing list for a comment which was meant in jest and which I incorrectly took seriously. I was helped to see the error of my ways by some very polite people, and this morning I sent this apology to the… Read More: On public apologies »
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: Voting the “straight Israel ticket” »
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: On “School Choice” »
Seen in a posting on-line from someone discussing the positive impact of taking regular breaks from one’s day-to-day routine: “I guess Jesus knew what he was doing calling for the observance of the Sabbath…” *sigh*
The Boston Public Schools attendance policy states that absences due to religious holidays are excused. See page 14 of the 2007-2008 Guide to the Boston Public Schools. This is not surprising, since it would be blatantly and obviously unconstitutional for a public school to treat absences due to religious holidays as unexcused absences. Unfortunately, despite… Read More: Boston Public Schools attendance policy is discriminatory »
Someone recently asked this on a mailing list I’m on: I am once again faced with the situation of having to take my vacation days for the Jewish High Holidays. Instead of passively standing by, I plan to take this issue up with my company and human resources department, as I am tired of corporate… Read More: Dealing with missing work for the Jewish holidays »
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: Idealism vs. pragmatism in genocide prevention »