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In: Letters, Viewpoints

By Simcha Shtull, , Seattle Israel currently controls the lives of 2.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank. I therefore find it difficult to understand Wendy Rosen’s dire prediction (“The coming Palestinian winter,” June 10) that declaring a Palestinian state will mark an end to Israel as a Jewish state.Continue Reading

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By Joseph Schvimmer, , Pikesville, Md. As an infrequent visitor to the area I was interested in the JTNews and the opinions expressed in the letters written to your publication. The letter to Congress written in the J-Teen section (May 27) was interesting in what it did not say asContinue Reading

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By Akiva Kenny Segan, , Seattle Just back from my seventh Israel teaching trip and read my favorite JTNews section: Letters. Re: Mr. Israel Kochin’s letter, “In Defense of Mom“ (May 11): I agree. Israel desperately needs safety and security. Ditto Palestine. Mr. Kochin writes: “The author writes that myContinue Reading

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In: Columnists, M.O.T.: Member of the Tribe

By Diana Brement, JTNews Columnist Supporters and clients of Jewish Family Service in Seattle are already aware of the construction project that has dominated the organization’s land at the corner of 16th Avenue and Pine Street for the past few months. Ed Weinstein, architect of JFS’s new offices, just receivedContinue Reading

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In: Rabbi's Turn, Viewpoints

By Rabbi Jessica Kessler Marshall , Temple Beth Or We just celebrated the holiday of Shavuot, and when we explain this holiday, we typically say that we sanctify God’s giving us the Torah. But as modern Jews, is it possible to believe in revelation? Did any revelatory event in factContinue Reading

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By Carole Glickfeld, , Seattle Mr. Wilkes’ response to my recent letter begins with an oleaginous politeness, thanking me for my “thoughtful letter,” and then goes on to totally (and I do mean, totally) distort what I wrote and what I believe (“Providing cover,” Letters, May 27). To remind readers,Continue Reading

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By Wendy Rosen , Special to JTNews The “Arab Spring” that has already toppled autocracies in Tunisia and Egypt and threatens to do likewise to others, raises hope for a transition to democracy in North Africa and the Middle East. But the process could be pushed disastrously off track byContinue Reading

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By Rabbi Steven Wernick , United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism One of Judaism’s most profound ideas is the notion that each year at Shavuot each of us stands at Mount Sinai, poised to receive the Torah as if for the first time.  The holiday, in other words, is an annualContinue Reading

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By Robert Kaufman, , Seattle On May 11 I was escorted out of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, where I had signed up to attend a lecture by Prof. John Esposito of Georgetown U., who characterizes fears of radical Islam as “Islamophobia.” I had prepared information challenging his views and pointingContinue Reading

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By Dr. Jerry Barrish, , Seattle I have followed the series of letters on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict going back and forth over the last several issues. One thing has become increasingly clear — the two sides have both exaggerated their claims and, as a result, may have damaged their ownContinue Reading

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By Robert Wilkes, , Bellevue My thanks to Carole Glickfeld for her thoughtful letter (“World view,” May 13) about my column, (“American Jews are Twice Chosen,” April 29). I write to create a political dialogue on issues left and right, and Ms. Glickfeld is helping to fulfill that goal. WeContinue Reading

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By Larry Broder, Executive Director, Temple De Hirsch Sinai Temple De Hirsch Sinai has a 112-year tradition of leadership in social action, civil rights, and free exchange of ideas. We strive to provide the opportunity for respectful dialog and even disagreement. At the same time, we have a policy regardingContinue Reading

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By Josh Basson, , Seattle I am disappointed by Obama’s speech calling for Israel to return to its pre-1967 lines as the basis for a two-state solution. Those borders have been determined by military experts as indefensible borders. Sadly, he becomes the first U.S. president to do so. Israel’s PrimeContinue Reading

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In: Columnists, What's Your JQ?

By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, We are getting newly involved in Judaism, thanks to our little one being enrolled in a Jewish early childhood program. Each Friday she proudly brings home a freshly baked challah. She is so thrilled that I’m thinking I should hop on boardContinue Reading

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In: Columnists, M.O.T.: Member of the Tribe

By Diana Brement, JTNews Columnist There’s a new organization in town — and around the country. Founded by local philanthropist Mark Bloome, TAP-America — Tolerance, Americanism, Patriotism — inspires tolerance and economic viability. Calling it “spiritual,” not political, Mark says TAP grew out of many years of his own spiritualContinue Reading

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By Carole Glickfeld, , Seattle I was amused and also a bit dismayed by Robert Wilkes’s chauvinistic piece on why Americans (not to mention Jews) are exceptional (“American Jews are twice chosen,” April 29). He says, “Americans are chosen because each individual citizen knows, or should know, he is responsibleContinue Reading