Senate confirms Hagel as secretary of defense

Published on February 26, 2013

The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as President Barack Obama's new secretary of defense on Tuesday, after an unusually acrimonious confirmation fight that threatened to complicate his work as civilian leader at the Pentagon.

Senate committee advances Hagel nomination

Published on February 12, 2013

Sticking strictly to party lines, the Senate Armed Services Committee referred the nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretary to the full Senate for confirmation.

Senators assail Obama’s Hagel nomination, question judgment

Published on January 31, 2013

Republican lawmakers harshly attacked Chuck Hagel on Thursday at a contentious hearing over his nomination to become the next U.S. defense secretary, questioning his judgment on war strategy and putting him broadly on the defensive.

Will Republicans let Lew get to Treasury?

Published on January 10, 2013

Jacob Lew helped Orthodox observance reach the highest precincts of governance. But can a man that Republicans say “can’t get to yes” be confirmed as secretary of the Treasury?

Spielberg’s year? ‘Lincoln’ nabs 12 Oscar nominations

By Danielle Berrin
Published on January 10, 2013

Jewish groups softening resistance on Hagel nomination

Published on January 8, 2013

Now that Chuck Hagel is officially President Obama’s nominee to be secretary of defense, Jewish groups concerned about Hagel’s record on Israel and Iran are faced with a choice.

Revisiting Jonah Hill, Oscar nominee!

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 16, 2012

‘Better Life’ producers thrilled with Demian Bichir’s Oscar nod

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 13, 2012

Jonah Hill: ‘Moneyball’s’ super-talented, super-nice Jewish boy [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 11, 2012

‘50/50’s’ Will Reiser to compete against Woody, Diablo

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 6, 2012

Mitt Romney, John Thune make pitch to Jewish Republicans at RJC bash

Published on April 5, 2011

At the Republican Jewish Coalition's winter leadership retreat here, it was the absence of certain likely candidates for president that had the crowd most excited. While names like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann generate enthusiasm at some other conservative gatherings, their absence over the weekend here had the Jewish crowd giddy that ahead of the 2012 race, the Republican Party may be retreating from the divisive hyper-conservatives that have frustrated Jewish attraction to the party in recent years.

Kagan expected to win approval to high court

Published on August 5, 2010

The U.S. Senate is expected to approve Elana Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court.

Kagan seen as brilliant and affable—and a mystery

Published on May 11, 2010

Rabbi David Saperstein runs through a shopping list of superlatives on Elena Kagan -- "self-evidently brilliant" and "steady, strategic and tactical" -- before acknowledging that he doesn't have much of a handle on what President Obama's choice to fill a U.S. Supreme Court seat actually believes.

Life story, Israel trips tie Sotomayor to Jews

Published on May 26, 2009

Freshman Israeli filmmaker earns three Emmy nods

Published on September 18, 2008

Rosie O'Donnell was impressed enough by Medalia and her venture that she joined the project as executive producer.

Post-Palin Depression

By Marty Kaplan
Published on September 11, 2008

This is not just a Jewish phenomenon, though a few thousand years of expecting to be scapegoated, persecuted, exiled or killed certainly contributes to the melancholic gene Jews are known for carrying, the optimism of a Ben-Gurion or Sandy Koufax notwithstanding.

Jews’ Support Spans Political Spectrum

By James Besser
Published on January 22, 2004

Will Jewish Democrats line up behind Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), now that the veteran lawmaker's campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination has been resurrected by Monday's blowout victory in the Iowa caucuses?

Perhaps, but Kerry would be wise not to start sending out the thank-you letters. By all accounts, Jews are doing what they usually do in primary battles: covering most of the mainstream political bases and in the process making sure the community is well represented in every campaign.

Lieberman’s Presidential Bid Is Already Over

By Michael Levine
Published on March 6, 2003

As an active member of the Southern California Jewish community and a celebrity media consultant who has authored 12 books on communications, it pains me to point out an unpleasant truth.

Despite the recent Gallup Poll showing Sen. Joseph Lieberman leading the field of Democrats who have declared their 2004 presidential candidacy, Lieberman isn't going to win the Democratic nomination. His campaign is over before it began.

Joe

By Rob Eshman
Published on November 16, 2000

Whatever happens in this election, we'll always have Lieberman. It is easy to forget now, amid the post-election chaos, just how momentous a day Aug. 8, 2000, was. Al Gore stood before supporters in Nashville (little did we know those may have been his only supporters in Tennessee) and called Lieberman "someone with the experience, the character and the judgment to become the president at a moment's notice." Then Gore said words that should ring in the ears of American Jews from that day on: "With pride in his achievements, I am here to announce my running mate for vice president, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut."

Jewish Angst

By Gene Lichtenstein
Published on September 7, 2000

Recently, a Chinese-American doctor was monitoring my heart as the speed and incline were increased on the treadmill during a stress test. Perhaps he wanted me to relax; perhaps he was bored and was trying to make conversation. Apropos of nothing but my presence on the treadmill, he casually tossed the question at me: "What do you think of Lieberman as the vice presidential candidate? Were you surprised?"I gave a perfunctory answer, yes and no, and then heard myself say, "When I was a boy, his nomination would have been astonishing. Jews were outsiders then. But now we're part of the U.S., just like any other white American."

‘Watts Side Story’

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 5, 1998

Michele Ohayon was nursing her 2-month-old baby when the phone rang at 5:45 a.m. and the caller answered a silent prayer: Ohayon's film, "Colors Straight Up," had been nominated as one of five documentary features in contention for an Academy Award.