Author: David Rutman

As I’m studying our Jewish obligations to our children, one subject is glaringly missing: comparing one sibling to another. We read about giving our children an education, helping them learn a trade, and finding their own ways to survive in the world. But there is very little that discusses a parent’s role in the relationships […]

The parsha begins with a direct statement: “This is the story of Isaac, son of Abraham.”   And we do, indeed, learn quite a bit about the second patriarch in these chapters.  We learn, for instance, that when God speaks to him, he listens — as when God tells him to stay in Canaan during […]

Kristallnacht (“Night of Broken Glass”), memorialized each year on Nov. 9-10, doesn’t have the same notoriety as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27), and Yom HaShoah (Hebrew calendar, Nisan 27 — in April or May). But it really should. Kristallnacht, back in 1938, was the notorious precursor to the actual fireworks of the Holocaust — […]

“The Jews could have prevented the Holocaust if they just tried hard enough.” The words hung in the air of my eighth-grade classroom, spoken casually during a debate on human nature. My classmate didn’t say it with malice; she said it with the quiet confidence of someone who believed she had just stated a fact. […]

On the memorable evening at Camp Ramah where Joel Rembaum wasintroduced to Fredi Breverman, who would be his wife for 61 years, the mutual friend who introduced them made an 11-word pitch: “You should get to know this lady,” he said. “She’s really, really good.” He did, and their relationship lasted until last April 20, […]

At 3:14 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 21, a car pulled up to the entrance of a business in Downtown Los Angeles. Two masked men quickly jumped out, shoved a man standing at the entrance, struck him on the head with a pistol several times and ripped a Rolex watch from his wrist. The entire robbery […]

Film producer Howard Rosenman was taking a late-night walk near his home in West Hollywood on Aug. 4, following his doctor’s advice to get more exercise. It was 11:30 p.m. on a beautiful summer night. Huntley Drive, near Melrose Avenue, was filled with the scent of jacaranda and jasmine. Then, without warning, he felt something […]

Shall we continue? Last week, when I was writing based on Israel’s exit polls – they turned out to be not the most accurate – I argued that Israel is a state in superposition. This still holds true. In Iran – a superposition that is neither victory nor defeat. In Gaza – a superposition that […]

By now, many viewers have probably binge-watched the latest season of “Nobody Wants This,” the hit Netflix series that follows the romantic relationship between Joanne, a non-Jewish podcaster played by Kristen Bell, and “hot rabbi” Noah Roklov, portrayed by Adam Brody. In season three, which was released last month, Joanne and Noah move in together, […]

Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the comic geniuses of our time. The British born comedian became known in America with HBO’s “Da Ali G Show.” Wearing a doo-rag, sunglasses, and pretending to be totally stupid, Ali G would he ask Donald Trump what he thought of an ice-cream glove, made Andy Rooney of “60 […]