I have been reluctant to write here about the smear campaign against Barack Obama that has been targeted at Jews. I had hoped that people would recognize it as the despicable pack of lies that it most surely is, but alas, it seems that some are not, so I feel the need to speak out.… Read More: Smear campaign against Barack Obama targeted at Jews »
The Scripps News wire recently ran a story which the Boston Herald picked up, ‘Green’ burials get a boost. Apparently, the idea of burying someone wrapped in a simple shroud, in a plain wooden coffin, with no embalming and no concrete vault, is so revolutionary that it deserves news coverage. Admittedly, the “green burial” movement… Read More: The “modern invention” of “green burials” »
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 »