“No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight,” boasted President Donald Trump, speaking to the people of Iran shortly after unleashing a joint attack that may have finally ended the theocratic nightmare that has been their miserable fate since 1979. He was right: For nearly half a century, the Iranian […]
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The first weeks of a new year always feel like a fresh page — not blank, exactly, but open. With Valentine’s Day in February, I’ve been reflecting on what we choose to love. For me, it’s the journey — the conversations, the courage, the curiosity that keeps life expanding. So far this year I have […]
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Ari Frenkel is in the middle of making a feature film titled “See You on the Other Side” that grew out of grief that has not been resolved. The film is unfinished. The production is ongoing. The fundraising continues. Frenkel describes the project as something that began while he was mourning his father and has […]
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Tetzaveh — command (Exodus 27:20–30:10) I don’t like to take commandsbut my bosses like to issue themand my mortgage likes to get paid. I say I don’t like to take commands,but I’m a rule follower – No one jaywalkson my watch without getting judged. I don’t like to take commands or evenissue them. I say […]
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Julie Menin is the Speaker of the New York City Council, which makes her the highest-ranking Jewish official in a government headed by Mayor Zohran Mandani. As such, she may have the most complicated diplomatic challenge in American politics (Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio run a close second and third. Rep. Mike Johnson [R-La.] and […]
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I’m deeply honored to share that my podcast, Make Your Own Map, was recognized by the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards (NAEJ) with First Place for Podcast Host, along with Second Place for my one-on-one interview with Tara Schuster, “Tara Schuster Isn’t Afraid to Go There—And You’ll Be Glad She Did.” The NAEJ Awards […]
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Two realities coexist today: some settlers are violent – but crying “Settler Violence” distorts, weaponizes and essentializes. The charge slurs all settlers to question Israel’s legitimacy. At 11:25 AM on Nov. 15, A., a 65-year-old lawyer serving his 166th day in reserves since Oct. 7, 2023, received a disturbing report. He was running a war […]
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Whenever a subject appears too complex or speculative, think of one word: survival. Whether or when President Trump will attack Iran is one of those agonizing and speculative questions that has much of the world on edge. The stakes are enormous. I’ve read reports that an attack may come any day, and other reports that […]
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It’s hard to explain why certain movies move me to the point that I have regular urges to see them again. Why waste time on an old movie you’ve already seen when so many great unseen movies are available with just one click on Amazon Prime? La La Land is one of those films that […]
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Halfway through his first year as leader of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Rabbi Josh Ratner told The Journal that “I wanted to try everything before I knew for sure what I wanted to do.” And after five less-than-fulfilling years as a commercial litigator and 14 years after his ordination, the San Diego native […]
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