Poetica Coffee, a Brooklyn café, promises anyone who walks through its door “unconditional dignity.” Not as a customer and not as a transaction, the website explains, but as someone who arrived and deserves to be welcomed. Recently the same business posted a photograph of Rep. Dan Goldman, who had stopped in for a coffee, and […]
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I have been to Auschwitz. I went alone, and I am profoundly glad I did. I went alone because what I knew, before I even boarded the plane, was that this was not a trip I could share. Not that day and not in that place. There are things that need to move through you […]
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In the introduction to his book “American Judaism,” Jonathan Sarna shares the following anecdote: “When I first became interested in American Jewish history, I mentioned my interest to a scholar at a distinguished rabbinical seminary, and he was absolutely appalled. “American Jewish history,” he growled, “I’ll tell you all that you need to know about […]
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Religious intelligence is based on two obscureingredients,one of which is spirituality, a religious feeling that does not makeany sense,contrasting with religious moral precepts that can be justified by theirexpedience,a far more rational rationale for them than fear of punishment for theirdisobedience.I hope that God does not object to this poem’s message, takingoffenseto my comparison of […]
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As Los Angeles hosts eight matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at SoFi Stadium, the city buzzes with vibrant fan celebrations across the region. Yet amid the die-hard pageantry, Los Angeles stands at a crossroads. Beyond the on-field excitement of global soccer lies a deeper opportunity: to draw hard-earned lessons from the nations that […]
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Watch My Latest Jet Set TV Segment on Austin, Luxury Travel, and Storytelling Some television interviews are special because of where they take place. Others are special because of the people involved. This one is both. I am thrilled to share my latest appearance on The Jet Set, where I joined Nikki Noya to talk […]
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Late last week, Vice President JD Vance expressed frustration with Israel, accusing Israeli cabinet ministers of “very personally attacking” President Trump instead of simply criticizing the memorandum of understanding he negotiated with Iran. Around the same time, President Trump asserted that without America there would be no Israel. Within hours, Ambassador Mike Huckabee offered a […]
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It feels like an awkward time for Jews to celebrate America’s birthday, when antisemitism is at record levels and we’re witnessing a bipartisan betrayal of Israel with the signing of an MOU with the genocidal tyrants of Tehran. But we don’t choose birthdays. They choose us. And on July Fourth, we will be taking a […]
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In a sermon prior to his retirement, Rabbi David Wolpe shared an anecdote that resonated deeply with me. He said: I know that this will sound very strange to you…the part of the service that I both enjoy most and fear most is carrying the Torah around – because I know I will not look […]
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I’ve been marveling from afar at how New York City has come together to celebrate the Knicks winning the NBA championship. Here is a great city that has been struggling for years, divided and broken in many ways, and yet, one amazing victory has brought a kaleidoscope of humanity together. Unity, that impossible and elusive […]
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