Submitted Comments RSS Feed Comments by Maskil
Posted in: In Beit Shemesh, residents struggle to counter violent religious coercion
I sometimes cannot believe this is Israel in the 21st Century I’m reading about. Time is running out for the authorities to crack down REALLY HARD on the public lawlessness and violence that have become commonplace. This phenomenon is becoming a very real threat to Israel’s shaky Western/democratic credentials, and perhaps even her very survival.
Posted in: Op-Ed: Don't fear 'God,' 'Torah' and 'Judaism'
Joel Alperson makes some very valid points here. We need to get to grips with the idea that the ethnic “Jewishness” that served us so well until the end of the 20th Century is not adequate to cope with the challenges of the 21st. If the answer to the fundamental question “Why Be Jewish?” does not have a spiritual or religious component, then that answer is not a long-term one. Jewish continuity for its own sake has taken us as far as it can, and the generations now looking for a reason to be Jewish (or not) are no longer satisfied with the old answers. We need a Jewish renewal that includes a revival of Judaism.
Posted in: Newly ordained Colombian rabbi vows to help Conversos
Well said, Robin (Margolis). Isn’t it ironic that those who continually raise the spectre of a shrinking Jewish population are usually the first to reject anyone with the “wrong” Jewish parent or grand-parent? Instead of “welcome home”, they are met with “who are you?” According to one estimate I read, fully half of the current generation will end up in an inter-faith relationship (IFR). Instead of decrying this fact and writing them off, Jewry needs to throw thought and resources into drawing them and their partners and offspring into the Jewish community.
Posted in: Israel drops objection to next UNESCO boss
Did Farouk Hosni apologise for his anti-Semitic book burning remarks at the time, or only due to the pressure of the campaign to keep him from assuming leadership of the Paris-based UNESCO? The apology came only now, when the campaign threatened to derail his coronation. Israel has its own reasons for giving way on the issue, but I see no reason why Jewish NGOs should follow suit. Hate speech is OK, so long as it’s only directed at the Jews. Each time we allow a raving anti-Semite to assume high office makes it just that much easier for the next to get a pass.
Posted in: Chabad rabbi aims to clarify remarks on killing civilians
It’s time that progressive and traditional Jews stopped being so tolerant towards the outlook and theology of movements such as Chabad. It’s time to get rid of our “Fiddler on the Roof” view of Hassidism and ultra-Orthodoxy and to realise that attitudes such as these are a threat to Jews and to the soul of Judaism itself. It’s time to start saying that not only is this not the only authentic form of Judaism, it’s not even an acceptable form of Judaism.
Posted in: Rabbis urge soldiers to disobey orders
I eagerly await the follow-up story where the Israeli AG announces that all the rabbis involved have been arrested and indicted for incitement to mutiny, and that all have been denied bail.
Posted in: Kibbutz activists block Gaza crossing
I’m just glad to hear that the Kibbutz movement still has its activists!
Posted in: UAE nears deal on Israeli satellite
“The moderate United Arab Emirates”? Everybody’s a moderate these days… Isn’t the Dubai that refused to grant Israeli tennis star Shahar Peer a visa part of the “moderate” UAE? I just can’t wait for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be granted moderate status…
Posted in: Int'l court eyeing ways to prosecute Israelis
I trust that, this time around, Israel will take the proceedings of the International Criminal Court far more seriously than it did the International Court of Justice (regarding the West bank separation wall) in 2004. Even if the outcome is seen as a foregone conclusion, Israel must defend itself vigorously, perhaps with the assistance of jurists such as Alan Dershowitz. Nobody buys the old “we don’t recognise the authority of this court” approach anymore. This needs to be seen as an opportunity for Israel to present its case, rather than as a threat.
RSS Feed Breaking News
Updated 11/22/09 @ 05:43AM EDT
- The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog encouraged Iran to accept an offer to process its enriched uranium abroad, but also said he opposed additional sanctions if it did not.
- Canada's opposition Liberal Party is crying foul after the ruling Conservatives mailed out flyers extolling themselves as stronger supporters of Israel.
- Israel arrested five Palestinian Authority intelligence officers in the West Bank.
- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel is conducting secret negotiations with Hamas.
- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was welcomed Thursday in Brazil by a state governor who is Jewish.
- IAEA head to Iran: Accept enrichment offer
- Canadian Liberals object after Conservatives say they’re stronger Israel backers
- Israel arrests five P.A. officers
- Abbas: Israel talking to Hamas
- Abbas welcomed by Jewish pol in Brazil
- South African Jewish leader Mendel Kaplan dies
- Israel will send ship to NATO anti-terror force
- Obama: New Iran sanctions coming within weeks
- Female Orthodox scholars helping women talk about sex
- Obama half-brother has Jewish roots
- Lieberman: Fort Hood could be terror attack
- J Street confab shows generational divide on Israel
- What really happened at the Reform biennial in Toronto
- Rubashkin convicted on 86 charges
- Obama shifts to Israel’s corner, but tries not to show it
- Pro-Israel fliers confiscated at campus speech
Posted in: Op-Ed: Proposed civil marriage bill in Israel misses mark
08/03/09 04:12 PM
It appears to me that the legislation will simply create another class of “Mamzerim” (in the true sense), in some respects part of the Jewish people, but unable to “inter-marry” with them (at least insofar as Orthodox officialdom is concerned). Perhaps that was one of the intentions?