The Jewish Week

Now Gordis Joins Fight Against Mosque! (Are leftist extremists the only ones left supporting the mosque?)

September 5, 2010 | Jonathan Mark | Route 17

Daniel Gordis says: "... America is at war and its enemies are Muslims. Politically correct hairsplitting runs the risk of Americans blinding themselves to that simple but critical fact. It makes no difference what percentage of the world’s Muslims wants to destroy America. There are enough of them that US air travel is now abominably unpleasant and, more importantly, enough of them that more strikes on America appear inevitable.

Avigdor Lieberman and "unattainable" peace

September 5, 2010 | James Besser | Political Insider

Why, exactly, hasn't prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman?

Aren't major ministers in a governing coalition supposed to work together, at least nominally, and not undercut each other?

But that seems to be exactly what Lieberman is doing.

According to JTA, Lieberman, speaking at a Yisrael Beiteinu event, said a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians is "an unattainable goal.”

Sunny, With A Strong Chance of Coney Island

September 3, 2010 | Adam Dickter | Adam Dickter's Continuum

Before the weather took a turn for the worse, I’m glad I took my two boys on a trip to Coney Island on Thursday. For me, it’s not only a fun outing but a trip through time, since I grew up a short walk from the Coney Island shorefront on the outskirts of Bensonhurst.

Christian Zionism: the debate continues

September 3, 2010 | James Besser | Political Insider

Finally! A civil, rational discussion about the rise of Christian Zionism as a potent political and cultural force! I can hardly believe it.

High Holidays For The 'Unaffiliated'

September 3, 2010 | Julie Wiener | Julie Wiener's In the Mix

So, I've decided to fork over the money and become a full-fledged synagogue member -- which means, among other things, my family and I have a place to go for the holidays. Will fill you in on the details in my next post.

For those of you who are still what Jewish insiders refer to in troubled voices as "The Unaffiliated," (usually in the same worried tone as they say "The Intermarried") there are lots of options if you want to go to High Holiday services next week.

The Hippest Single in Town

September 3, 2010 | Abigail Pickus | Abigail in Love (Maybe)

My hip hurts.

That’s why I’m wearing the unfortunate shoes.

What's In Bibi's Head?

September 2, 2010 | James Besser | Political Insider

Today's New York Times story on the renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks underway in Washington asks the $64 thousand dollar question: what is in Bibi's head?

Arab lobby? What Arab lobby?

September 2, 2010 | James Besser | Political Insider

As a journalist covering the Middle East beat in Washington, I've always wondered about the lack of a strong pro-Arab lobby in Washington. So I'm pretty intrigued with Mitchell Bard's new book, The Arab Lobby: The Invisible Alliance That Undermines America’s Interests in the Middle East - which argues that I'm wrong, and that there is one.

The real powerhouse Middle East lobby in Washington isn't AIPAC, Bard argues, but a diffuse but potent pro-Arab lobby run and funded by the Saudis.

September 2, 2010 | Jonathan Mark | Route 17

With Rabbi Haskel Lookstein coming out agaInst the location of mosque at Ground Zero (see his sermon below), I'm reminded of nothing less than Victor Laszlo telling Bogart at the Casablanca airport, "Thanks. And welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win."

To My Cable Guy, Judaism Is A Premium Package

September 2, 2010 | Adam Dickter | Adam Dickter's Continuum

I’m not sure when the discussion shifted from the cost of adding HBO and Showtime to the spiritual meaning of Shabbat and kashrus. But it came toward the end of my discussion with the cable guy who came to my house today. I know it was after I told him that next week would be rough for scheduling an installation date because of Rosh HaShanah. But somewhere in the course of my switching from FiOS, the cable guy expressed interest in switching from Christianity.