Guest columnists

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72 results total, viewing 31 - 40

Thoughts – trite and true – from the desk of experience

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is quoted: “Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” But Satchel Paige (1906-1983) got it right when he said: “How old would you be if you did not know how old you … more

Guest columnists | 11/7/14

A new outlook for our people

As we begin in the Jewish year 5775, a radical way to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East, is to refresh ourselves by turning to our Torah for solutions. Torah is dynamic as the cadence of its Hebrew letters import. We were … more

Guest columnists | 11/7/14

Totally equal… sometimes

Between Yom Kippur services, I had the opportunity to ask my synagogue’s three wonderful rabbis a question. Why, I wished to know, do Conservative Jewish services alternate between including and not including the matriarchs in … more

Guest columnists | 10/23/14

Amid drought, Jewish groups push conservation agenda

LOS ANGELES (JTA) – Devorah Brous’ San Fernando Valley home is shaded by green trees, studded with 19 fruit trees and patrolled by a pair of affable chickens that strut around the backyard. But at the moment, she is eager to show a visitor … more

Guest columnists | 10/20/14

The difference between Scottish nationalism and Zionism

JSN.ORG – I will confess that, over the last week, I felt more anxious than I’d anticipated about the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum. In case it’s not clear why, I’m a British citizen who has lived in the United States for … more

Guest columnists | 9/30/14

Have you had the talk about bullying with your child?

This summer, I’d always get heart palpitations from excitement upon seeing the thin envelopes with my kids’ handwriting poking out of my mailbox. Used to upbeat and positive messages, I looked forward to learning what else they’ve discovered … more

Guest columnists | 8/28/14

Who will live and who will die? Confront the ultimate question

JERUSALEM (JTA) – My kids are the first to tell me that God does not have a body. “But how can He write us in a book of life? God isn’t like a person, imma!” Indeed. The image of an anthropomorphic God is rife, however, throughout … more

Guest columnists | 8/28/14

European governments must act to stem rising anti-Semitism

NEW YORK (JTA) – The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is spilling over into Europe, where in the past several weeks, Jewish communities have witnessed a chilling display of anti-Semitism, the likes of which has not been seen in many … more

Guest columnists | 8/19/14

‘The Anatomy of Peace’ particularly relevant for our times

Last year, I read a book that changed my life – by changing my perspective. It’s called “The Anatomy of Peace,” and it’s by the Arbinger Institute, a nonprofit organization that teaches conflict resolution. I found the teachings in the … more

Guest columnists | 8/19/14

July poll: Less than 4 percent of Israeli Jews believe firepower on Gaza excessive

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Less than 4 percent of Israeli Jews believe that the Israel Defense Forces has used excessive firepower in Gaza, an Israeli survey found. The survey by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, part of its … more

Guest columnists | 8/19/14