Mormon missionaries meet modern Judaism

By Amy Klein
Published on May 8, 2008

A group of Mormon missionaries came to Palos Verdes' Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hear a lecture by Rabbi Isaac Jeret of Congregation Ner Tamid, located right next door to the church. Jeret was one of three rabbis to address the Mormon missionary groups in an attempt to build further understanding between the two religious groups.

Jews must never use the term ‘shvartza’

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on May 8, 2008

About a year ago I wrote a column about how the word "shvartza" must be retired forever. It is an insulting, offensive, and derogatory term that has no place in the mouths of people committed to ethics.

Richard Lewis, comedian from heaven

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 13, 2008

The husband from hell. The uncle from hell. The comedian from hell. Richard Lewis is fully aware he has problems. And by the end of his set, his stand-up audiences know he has problems.

Agudath Israel emphasizes outreach to non-Orthodox

By Ben Harris
Published on December 6, 2007

Is it permissible for an Orthodox family to play host to a Jewish couple if they don't observe laws mandating sexual abstinence in the period surrounding menstruation?

That was among the questions posed to two leading rabbinic authorities in late November at the 85th national convention of Agudath Israel of America, the main umbrella body for ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, Jewry.

The answer: It is, if the room has two beds.

Shalom Auslander is my failure

By Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg
Published on November 8, 2007

This doesn't answer my questions. It doesn't staunch my tears. I don't sleep better. I don't justify terrible things when they happen to others, and I don't know why they don't happen to me. But I know that just as surely as there is inexplicable evil in the world, there is inexplicable good, as well. It's something to put on the other side of the scale, something to attribute to a good God.

A Chance to Make Poverty History

By Ruth W. Messinger
Published on June 30, 2005

This weekend, as we join all Americans in proudly celebrating our independence, we also should be thinking of the 1 billion people in the world who live on $1 a day or less, most of whom lack clean water, electricity, food, education and medical care. It is our hope that in this spirit, President Bush fully contemplates an opportunity he has to help free millions from the chains of poverty when he meets with world leaders in Scotland.

Known as the G8 Summit, eight of the world's wealthiest nations will be meeting July 6 to discuss, among other global issues, the Millennium Goals agreed to by all 189 member states of the United Nations to reduce global poverty.

Secession Won’t Help the Poor

By Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs
Published on October 31, 2002

Fernando Acosta has important dreams. He hopes to one day be a city attorney. For now he works a cash register at Castle Park, a city-owned miniature golf course in Sherman Oaks, while attending college.

Your Letters

Published on March 14, 2002

Your Letters