Philanthropy from Venus differs from philanthropy from Mars

By Jacob Berkman
Published on November 19, 2008

" . . . Women tend to want to spread the wealth a little more, and a lot of that has to do with how men and women are socializedin terms of their upbringing . . . "

We don’t need more gabfests on diversity

By David A. Lehrer and Joe R. Hicks
Published on May 1, 2008

Our communities' leadership has to absorb the reality that the next generation of open-minded young people sees diversity as a plus, not as a burden to be overcome.

The journey to inclusion

By William Kolbrener
Published on February 7, 2008

My son, Shmuel, was born four years ago on the 10th of Cheshvan. My wife woke me at 3 a.m.; we were at the hospital a bit after 3:30. Not her first delivery, the labor was quick. By 5:45, she gave birth.

So efficient she was, I thought that there would be time to make it to my regular 7 a.m. minyan in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Jerusalem. Our newborn would fit into my schedule -- everything according to expectations; everything as planned.

I accompanied the baby to the post-delivery room. The doctor, flanked by two nurses, labored over the baby with unexpected focus and intensity. Finally, the doctor emerged. Our newborn, he suspected -- really, he knew -- had Down syndrome.

Second-class Conservative citizens

By Jeff Bernhardt
Published on December 14, 2006

Honestly, I'm glad that the recent vote of the Conservative movement has opened the door a bit toward acceptance of gay and lesbian Jews. Now that this teshuvah, or legal interpretation, was one of two that received a majority vote, I know that this helps some of my gay "friends and family" squeeze sideways through the now partially open door. I nevertheless remain sad and disappointed that the door has only opened a little, and the idea that it is a qualified acceptance is troubling to me.

What Blacks Can Really Learn From Jews

By Eric V. Copage
Published on March 30, 2006

I asked myself if Jews really are clannish and, if so, should blacks use that as a model for advancement? But more to the point, I asked myself if there were things Jews do that blacks should adopt to become more prosperous.

My answer: an emphatic yes.

Change of Command on ‘Commander in Chief’

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on October 13, 2005

News reports and sources cite conflicting reasons why Israeli-born Rod Lurie was booted or departed as show-runner of the successful new ABC drama, "Commander in Chief," about the first female president of the United States

The Circuit

By Julie G Fax
Published on May 12, 2005

Shoshanim, a magazine for Jewish teenage girls, is celebrating its fifth year in publication with a newly designed Web site, new features and an upgraded layout.

The Court of Cupid

By Lori Gottlieb
Published on February 10, 2005

It seems a bit disingenuous for women to get all bent out of shape over Harvard President Larry Summers' recent suggestion that innate gender differences may account for variances in math and science skills. After all, most women maintain that innate gender differences exist when it comes to other highly valued skills, like communication.

To Tree or Not to Tree

By Seth Menachem
Published on December 16, 2004

For the first time in my adult life I'm dating a Jewish girl.

Her father's Catholic -- an Italian -- but according to my

rabbi, "She's all good."

(Maybe he didn't use those exact words, but something to that effect.)

Carrie and I bicker but never have any real fights; that is not until Christmastime. She was raised with Christmas in her house. Chanukah was a pool they may have dipped their toes into out of some traditional obligation, but it was Christmas that they jumped into cannonball style.

False Promises in Berg’s ‘Becoming’

By Rabbi David Wolpe
Published on December 16, 2004

I have never been to the Kabbalah Centre, never studied with one of their teachers, and cannot comment on their practices. My sole direct exposure was to watch a videotape produced by the center, "The Power of Kabbalah: A Documentary," from 1996, in which they claim, among other things, credit for producing the Oslo accords -- credit which they may be presently inclined to disavow. But no matter. I spent an infuriating hour reading "Becoming Like God" by Rabbi Michael Berg. If I can succeed in persuading one person not to buy this confused, contradictory, intellectually disreputable and Jewishly perverse volume it will be well worth the exasperation.

The Ring

By Greg Ross
Published on October 30, 2003

My girlfriend wants a ring. To say that I didn't see this coming is the understatement of the century.

Unacceptable

By Michael Tolkin
Published on October 23, 2003

After The New Republic's Gregg Easterbrook wrote in his online column that Jewish executives in Hollywood "worship money above all else," he apologized.

Arab Groups Assail Bush Appointment

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on September 4, 2003

Jewish and Arab leaders say President Bush's appointment of Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes to a federal think tank -- despite the objections of Arab groups and some congressional Democrats -- offers a window into White House thinking on Middle East issues.

Shut Up, I Love You!

By David Suissa
Published on February 13, 2003

A group of Sephardic, Chasidic, Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, unaffiliated, atheist, right- and left-wing Jews were gathered at a private dinner -- and no one had to call security.

Somebody Stop Me

By Mark Miller
Published on February 6, 2003

I've been spending so much time and energy dating that it sometimes feels like an addiction.

Cape Town Clash

By Moira Schneider
Published on November 28, 2002

The heart of the dispute centers on whether Sea Point must observe the standards of halacha demanded by the country's chief rabbinate in Johannesburg, or whether it can adopt looser standards.

Take It to the Church

By Michael Aushenker
Published on November 28, 2002

The church is not a place that one typically associates with Chanukah.

Spicy ‘Shores’ of the Mediterranean

By Judy Bart Kancigor
Published on November 28, 2002

Celebrated cookbook author and chef Joyce Goldstein can trace her bloodline to a Russian shtetl, but her heart and soul lie in the Mediterranean.