Orthodox woman, a first

Published on January 16, 2013

In a groundbreaking appointment, the Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR,CA), has selected Tamar Frankiel as its new president, making her the first Orthodox woman to lead an American rabbinical school. Frankiel, 66, is a professor of comparative religion and an expert on Jewish mysticism.

Obama to tap Lew as treasury chief

Published on January 9, 2013

President Obama is set to nominate Jack Lew, his chief of staff, to be secretary of the treasury.

British pop sensation Alex Clare balances stardom and Orthodoxy

Published on October 31, 2012

Alex Clare is really just a nice Jewish boy. Sure, his hit “Too Close” is currently the seventh most popular song in the United States, his music video has garnered more than 18 million hits on YouTube and he has mobs of teenage girls chasing him around Europe. But at the end of the day, he still likes to sit down with a nice challenging page of Talmud.

But what is our GOAL?

By Rav Yosef Kanefsky
Published on August 23, 2012

Helping mothers have it all

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on June 27, 2012

The much-discussed article in the July/August Atlantic magazine begins with a story that likely will be familiar to any working mother. The author, Anne-Marie Slaughter, is at an evening work event talking to very important, very professional people, and all that’s really on her mind is the plight of her teenage son, who’s floundering at home without her.

Sex Education in Orthodox High Schools

By Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Published on March 13, 2012

Sex Education in Orthodox High Schools

Published on March 13, 2012

The Challenge of Offering Moral Rebuke in the Workplace

Published on March 7, 2012

Desexualizing Public Space

By Rabbi Zev Farber
Published on February 7, 2012

Orthodox Jews’ problem with Adam Sandler

By Lauren Bottner
Published on December 9, 2011

Gamer Geek Goes Lounge Chic

By Adam Wills
Published on August 18, 2005

Scoring on a Saturday night just got a whole lot easier for gamers, and they have an Orthodox Jew to thank.

Arena Interactive Lounge offers a 21st century take on the arcade -- a Santa Monica-adjacent, nerd-hip destination that features a modern lounge vibe.

It's the brainchild of 27-year-old Ron Rosenberg, an observant Jew who grew up in Pico-Robertson, attending Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, Yeshiva University High School and USC.

Wrestling With Family

By Ric Drasin
Published on October 23, 2003

Yes, it's true. I was raised as an Orthodox Jew -- in Bakersfield no less. My parents were very strict about going to temple and observing the holidays and religion. But Dad also used to take me to the local wrestling matches when I was around 10. He got a kick out of watching the wrestlers and their antics, and I did, too.

If Seeing Is Believing, Who’s Seeing?

By Akiva Gottlieb
Published on May 30, 2002

As an amateur film critic, I pride myself on being able to separate the subject from the art. To paraphrase Roger Ebert, a movie is not about what it's about; it's about how it's about what it's about. In past years, I've enjoyed wonderful films about heroin use, pedophilia and Holocaust denial, though I strongly condemn all three acts. It is the nature of the critic to think beyond his prejudices.

Thoughts on the Lieberman Selection.

By Rabbi Dov Fischer
Published on August 17, 2000

As a centrist observant Jew working in the secular professions, I am particularly struck by Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore's selection of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman as his vice-presidential running mate for the November 2000 elections.

Guided by Faith

By Sharon Samber
Published on August 10, 2000

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) has been in public life a long time and has left an extensive public trail of votes and positions on the issues.

Kosher Candidate

By Michael J
Published on August 10, 2000

Sen. Joseph Lieberman's first Friday in the U.S. Senate posed a problem for him - not politically, but religiously.

Changing Attitudes

By Peter Ephross
Published on August 10, 2000

When Al Smith campaigned for U.S. president - and lost - in 1928, his Roman Catholicism was used against him. When John F. Kennedy successfully ran for president in 1960, he felt the need to make speeches that distanced himself from the pope.

A Wise Peace

Published on May 7, 1998

The first thingItzhak Frankenthal did after his son's murder was exact threepromises from his wife. First, he said, the couple would not blameGod. Second, they would thank God for at least allowing them to havetheir son's remains to bury. Many Israeli families never receive thebodies of their loved ones killed by war or, in Arik Frankenthal'scase, by terrorists. Lastly, Frankenthal made his wife promise thattheir life without Arik would go on. After sitting shiva, Frankenthal walked intohis children's room, turned on the TV, and told them that they mustgo back to doing normal things.