News

When I teach American Jewish History at Touro College, one of the highly recommended books for the course is Hanukkah in America by Dianne Ashton, which features the National Menorah on the lawn facing the White House. The book documents how a minor religious holiday became the most visible expression of Jewish identity in America, with the participation of presidents who hosted Hanukkah ceremonies at their official residence.

   Henry Kissinger, who died last week at the age of 100, was the first Jewish Secretary of State and arguably the most powerful Jew in American history. But was he good for the Jews?

Henry Kissinger, who died last week at the age of 100, was the first Jewish Secretary of State and arguably the most powerful Jew in American history. But was he good for the Jews?

The most common answer to the accusation of being anti-Semitic these days is that the espouser of genocidal slogans towards Jews is merely anti-Zionist, not anti-Jewish. This defense is based on the false premise that Zionism and Judaism are two completely separate ideologies, and to be against one does not mean you are against the other.  This has been brought to the floor of the House, which has the Left and the Democrats up in arms about being called out for what they truly are: anti-Semites.

In last week’s parshah, we learn about two sons of Jacob who rose to leadership, Judah and Joseph. The common thread through both stories is the transformation of character that made them fit to lead.

Last week, a large group of students vandalized their own school trying to attack a Jewish teacher who attended a rally for Israel. Some public officials like New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York State Attorney General Tish James condemned the rampage as clearly anti-Semitic. Others, while saying the incident was “unacceptable,” maintained that the students involved were simply “14- and 15-year-olds doing what 14- and 15-year-olds do,” and that we need to understand what caused the mayhem.