A voice that was freed – and now is silence

By Michael Berenbaum
Published on February 13, 2013

Rabbi David Hartman has gone to his eternal rest, but not before he made a monumental contribution to Jewish life and a significant contribution to Jewish thought.

Iconic Jewish educator mourned by all faiths

Published on February 13, 2013

The revered Jewish teacher David Hartman, who died in Jerusalem at the age of 81 this week, is being celebrated for his success in bringing together diverse thinkers from among rarely-interacting Jewish denominations.

Rabbi David Hartman’s learned students remember their rebbe

Published on February 13, 2013

The Jewish community reflects on the life of late Rabbi David Hartman.

Remembering Ed Koch: A pugnacious New Yorker and passionate Jew till his dying day

Published on February 1, 2013

One of the proudest moments of Ed Koch’s life came during a trip to Israel in 1990, in the midst of the first Palestinian intifada.

Remembering Carmen Warschaw

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on November 7, 2012

I first met Carmen Warschaw when I became a political writer for the Associated Press in the mid 1960s. I thought she was one of the most interesting, challenging people I'd met on my new beat, an opinion that has not changed over the years. Carmen and her husband Lou -- they were teenage sweethearts -- became active in the Democratic party in their youth.

Why the Wait?

Published on August 29, 2012

As bombs dropped over Germany, aerial photographer Arthur Oxenberg would lean out of a B-17 Flying Fortress with his camera to snap a photograph. His photos were a way the U.S. Army Air Forces could tell whether bombs hit their targets.

A Celebration of Dad

By Ellie Kahn
Published on August 29, 2012

I called my 94-year-old father in Ohio on July 9. I told him how much I loved him, that he was the most wonderful father ever, that I would miss him, and that it was OK for him to let go.

Remembering Marvin Hamlisch: One singular sensation… and what he did for love

Published on August 8, 2012

It was early 1989, and TV producer Terre Blair called her mother with the exciting news. “I’m engaged”, she announced. “I’m getting married to Marvin Hamlisch!” “Marvin Hamlisch?”, the prospective mother-in-law replied. “You mean the boxer from Las Vegas?” “No, Mom. That’s Marvin Hagler”, Terre laughed. “Marvin Hamlisch is a composer; he writes songs, and he tours”. “Just what this family needs”, said Mom. “An out-of-work songwriter."

10 years after 9/11, what has changed?

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on September 7, 2011

Even before the 110-story cloud of smoke cleared 10 years ago, America, and American Jews, grappled with a new desire to seek out the enemy — on the one hand to thwart him, and on the other to find out who he is, why he hates us so much and what we can do about it.

One woman’s political awakening

Published on September 7, 2011

Sept. 11 is partly responsible for my choice of career. In 2001, I was an architecture student, even if a disillusioned one, completely uninterested in politics and affairs of the world.

Afghanistan’s turning point

Published on September 7, 2011

It was a decade ago that a number of terrorists conducted the most horrifying attack on the United States.

Lee Baca: Talk to people—Then arrest the right ones

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on September 7, 2011

For many, the world changed on Sept. 11, 2001. For Lee Baca, who had been elected Los Angeles County Sheriff three years earlier, his job changed, too.

Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about 9/11 persist

Published on September 6, 2011

Osama bin Laden is dead. A new skyscraper is rising at the site of the old World Trade Center. U.S. troops are withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Opinion: Eradicating torture should be the legacy of Sept. 12

Published on September 1, 2011

What is the legacy of 9/11? As we approach the 10th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, we have a chance as a nation to reflect on more than just our own stories of what happened that day.

Dept. of Remembrance: Watching over the 9/11 dead with shmira

Published on September 1, 2011

It was an ominous hum. A dozen refrigerated trucks loaded with the body parts of victims of the 9/11 attacks filled a cavernous tent across the street from the Office of the City Medical Examiner...

For Daniel Agami, 9/11 attack was a call to service—and to tragic destiny

Published on August 31, 2011

Daniel Agami was working as a disc jockey in South Florida when the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the trajectory of his life.

Solving a grim Jewish quandary after the attacks: Avoiding agunah problems for 9/11 widows

Published on August 31, 2011

When unthinkable disaster struck a decade ago and close to 3,000 people were murdered at the World Trade Center, the scale of destruction created a unique challenge for victims’ families: identification of the dead.

Mourning Amy Winehouse: A biblical vixen goes back to black

Published on July 26, 2011

Late last year, I spent the better part of a month working on a lengthy profile on Amy Winehouse, the British Jewish retro soul singer who tragically died over the weekend at 27. It was in the doldrums of this process, which included reading a book about Jewish immigrants who perform in blackface in the early 20th century and researching the bizarre music producer Phil Spector, one of her primary musical influences -- that I was forced to ask myself: Why do I like Amy Winehouse so much?

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor [SLIDESHOW]

By JewishJournal.com
Published on March 25, 2011

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

A Blessing for the Father

By Rabbi Eli Hecht
Published on June 17, 2004

A few months ago I flew from Long Beach to Brooklyn. It was a long, sad and lonely trip. A few days earlier, my mother had turned 82 years old and was looking forward to a special birthday, when tragedy struck. A fire broke out in her home. Quickly, her life was taken by fire and smoke. No goodbyes or time to prepare for closure, just a cruel death.

My father survived the fire but lives daily with his memories. He now spends his time living a day or a week with different children and grandchildren. He recently came to California to join our family for the holidays. Even though the children and grandchildren were here something big was missing. Yes, our dear mother, the grandmother, was missed.