LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN — January 2, 2020 — The last two festivals to be added to the Jewish calendar prior to modern times — Purim and Hanukkah — are both about anti-Semitism. There is one obvious difference between them: Haman, of the Purim story, wanted to kill Jews. Antiochus, of the Hanukkah story, wanted to kill Judaism. It was the difference …
By Rabbi Lord JONATHAN SACKS
Grand Menorah Lighting and Fire Truck Gelt Drop to Unite Yorktown Fighting Hate with Light and Unity this Hanukkah
YORKTOWN, NY— December 21, 2019 — Recent anti-Semitic violence, including the attacks in Pittsburgh, PA, and Poway, CA, and most recently the Jersey City, NJ shooting, has prompted organizers of Yorktown’s Grand Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop to expect their largest turnout ever to take a stand against hate in a show of Jewish pride and unity, and they are …
George H. W. Bush’s Final Words
By Dr. GARY S. SMITH
The final words of President George H. W. Bush tell us a lot about the kind of man he was, and especially the kind of father he was. At 94 years old and ailing from Parkinson’s and the pains of old age, Bush said he was ready to go. He told his family he wanted to be with Barbara, his …
By Dr. GARY S. SMITH
Death at the Tree of Life Synagogue
By Dr. PAUL G. KENGOR
“Pray for us, I will call you later.” That was the text message we received from our 16-year-old daughter at 10:16 a.m. on Saturday morning as we drove down Liberty Avenue toward Pittsburgh’s Strip District. My wife called her immediately. “Are you okay? Were you in an accident? What’s happening?” I heard a gasp from my wife and braced myself. …
By Dr. PAUL G. KENGOR