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By Rabbi Jill Borodin , Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Haninah, the son of Papa, says (in the Talmud, Tractate Berachot, page 35b): “Anyone who enjoys anything from this world without a blessing, it is as if they have stolen from God and the community of Israel.” What a statement —Continue Reading

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Keith Dvorchik and I recently wrote of our dissenting opinions regarding the efficacy of Taglit-Birthright Israel for JTNews (“Why Birthright Israel is hafuch,” Rabbi’s Turn, Dec. 13; “Why Birthright makes a difference,” Dec. 20). Truly this is “an argument for the sake of heaven,” as we both care deeply aboutContinue Reading

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By Keith Dvorchik , Special to JTNews I read with dismay the opinion piece “Why Birthright Israel is hafuch“ by Rabbi Aaron Meyer, published Thursday in the JTNews’s 3 O’ Clock News. Having spent the past 15 years on a college campus and sending thousands of students on Birthright journeys,Continue Reading

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By Joel Magalnick , Editor, JTNews Josephine Jack Charlotte Jessica Dylan Allison Madeline James Avielle Benjamin Olivia Caroline Jesse Daniel Emilie Chase Ana Grace Catherine Noah Look at those names. Look at them again. Now put a face to a name, perhaps a child you know. Now imagine that asContinue Reading

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By Charlene Freadman Kahn, , Seattle Yasher Koach to Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum for writing, and to JTNews for publishing, one of the most heartfelt and thought-provoking opinion pieces relating to the conflict in Israel and Palestine I’ve read in any publication. (“Getting Caught Trying,” Rabbi’s Turn, Nov. 15) In theContinue Reading

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By Rabbi Aaron Meyer , Temple De Hirsch Sinai So named for the little bit of coffee added to a greater quantity of milk, turning the norm on its head, or perhaps for the order in which the ingredients are combined, Cafe Hafuch, upside-down coffee, is the Israeli answer toContinue Reading

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By Rabbi Lauren Kurland , Special to JTNews As you may have guessed from the incredibly close proximity of Labor Day and Rosh Hashanah this year, Hanukkah is also coming early — so early, in fact, that rather than coinciding with Christmas, its usual American holiday tango partner, this yearContinue Reading

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By Susan Axe-Bronk, Author, “The Vanishing Gourds”, I appreciate Rita Berman Frischer’s review (“Some bookahs for your sukkah,” Sept. 11, online) of “The Vanishing Gourds.” I’m so happy when I find that my story has evoked fond Sukkot memories in readers. It’s been gratifying, as well, to hear non-Jews relateContinue Reading

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By Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum , Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation When we had a high school class on Muslim-Jewish dialogue last year, I asked our Herzl-Ner Tamid students to agree or disagree with the following statement: “There will never be peace between Israel and the Palestinians.” Nine of the 10 studentsContinue Reading

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By Rabbi Zari Weiss , Kol HaNeshamah West Seattle’s Progressive Community As I wrote this article, the House and Senate — after 16 days — finally agreed to raise the debt ceiling, narrowly averting a government shutdown. Now talks must begin in earnest to figure out a budget acceptable toContinue Reading

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By Paula Libes Chester, , Mercer Island When Abraham our father opened his tent to two strangers, he was committing a revolutionary act. Fear of the stranger is deeply ingrained in human consciousness. When we examine the word “kindness” we see that it contains the root “kin.” It is farContinue Reading

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By Eran Ben-Sira, , Rainier, Wash. I agree with Steven Hemmat (“Allowing diverse opinions,” Letters, Sept. 13). Why does JTNews give a floor to opinions that side with people that want to destroy the Jewish state of Israel? Palestinian leadership tried to destroy Israel even before 1948 under British ruleContinue Reading