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Maskil

About Me

A freelance writer and blogger in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Maskil is a progressive Jew and Green Zionist, and writes mainly on Jewish affairs, Israel, the environment and technology.

Maskil on the Web

e-mail: maskil@maskil.info
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Maskil/

Basic Info

Member since:: 12/31/2006

Last Logged In:: 11/18/2009

Age:: 49

Gender:: Male

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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?

Posted in: In Beit Shemesh, residents struggle to counter violent religious coercion

07/18/09 04:57 PM

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'

06/17/09 10:43 AM

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

06/06/09 11:10 AM

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

06/06/09 08:53 AM

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.

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easyComment – Not The Ultimate Comment Tracking System, But Useful

Posted by Maskil · Published on 10:00 PM on 10/11/09

easyComment has already saved me innumerable keystrokes. While it doesn’t meet all the requirements I outlined for The Ultimate Comment Tracking System, it’s a big step in the right direction. easyComment – Not The Ultimate Comment Tracking System, But Useful was originally posted on Maskil Read more »

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