Author: David Rutman

A sukkah was nearly selected as the symbol of America. On July 4, 1776, the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to design a seal for the United States. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were chosen for the task.  Franklin, amidst the early brainstorming sessions, […]

It was impossible not to feel hopeful as the most powerful man in the world waxed dreamily about solving a conflict he says is “thousands of years old” and aiming for nothing less than “eternal peace in the Middle East.” What is noteworthy about Trump’s plan, which got the support and input of Prime Minister […]

When, and if, World War III commences between Islamists and the tattered remnants of Western democracy, America is now on notice of a dwindling list of allies to fight alongside it. This past week was a pitiful reminder of the back-stabbing spinelessness that now governs once-great countries. France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Portugal […]

It’s been 14 years since Rabbi AdaM Schaffer arrived at HaMakom (né, Temple Aliyah) to become director of the Jewish Learning Cooperative, the religious school. An educator for most of his adult life, the Washington, D.C. area native was asked if he ever considered becoming a full-time teacher. “We know the word rabbi/rav comes from […]

Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) held its annual David Frank Memorial Golf Classic at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades this past summer. During the gathering, held July 28, 120 philanthropists from greater Los Angeles spent a day with corporate executives at one of the most iconic golf courses in the country, while raising funds […]

Elie Wiesel describes Moses as “the loneliest” character in the Bible. Moses is the ruler of an unruly bunch of former slaves, as well as a prophet and lawgiver, and, for a short time, the High Priest. As Wiesel puts it, Moses “embodies the very concept of leadership, with its collective triumphs and personal disillusionments.” […]

It was impossible to distinguish who was happier or prouder: The 10 elderly Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) residents celebrating their bar and bat mitzvahs, or LAJH CEO and President Dale Surowitz. The men and women between the ages of 76 and 98 were glowing as Surowitz told them, “What you have accomplished is absolutely […]

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place this Sunday; chances are the only things you know about it are that Erika Kirk gave a graceful, heartfelt speech; Tucker Carlson blew a dogwhistle; and President Trump joked-not-joked that he genuinely hates his political opponents. I watched the entire event, and it struck me as a […]

Asking for forgiveness may be mandated by our tradition at this time of year, and if we do it right, it’s one of the toughest things we’re called to do. Who wants to be reminded that they messed up, that they hurt someone, that they must humble themselves and ask for forgiveness? Even the Almighty […]

In the firestorm over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from his late-night talk show, which has turned him into a free speech martyr, virtually everyone is ignoring Kimmel’s approach to speech itself. Kimmel was suspended by ABC after blowback from his comments suggesting that the accused shooter of Charlie Kirk was actually “MAGA” rather than a leftist […]