Kind: Reads

A Hamas spokesman claimed the arrival of 5 red heifers was the motive for the Oct. 7 massacre. Rabbi Ariel countered, “They don’t need reasons to kill Jews; only excuses to feed the world.”

The article and video were full of several absurd inaccuracies. The presenter was preoccupied with Bible-observant Jews inciting war, while giving Hamas “militants” a pass.

A great deal has been discussed about the failure of Israel’s intelligence apparatus and political leadership to anticipate and prevent the horrific events of October 7, even in the face of clear evidence. I’d like to discuss, however, a more pervasive intellectual failure — the failure to recognize the threat that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs pose […]

Expert says former US president’s comments could ‘fan the flames of antisemitism,’ while chair of Republican Jewish Coalition defends candidate’s ‘own unique style’

It is my job to pay close attention to outliers. As the executive director of the Natan Fund, a foundation that supports early-stage nonprofit organizations, I spend most of my time thinking about the people not yet included in Jewish communal life. Who have we been overlooking? What new programs, approaches, or organizations might we […]

The groundswell of support for Hamas in cities across Europe and North America since October 7 is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the future of the West. The problem isn’t just an emerging alliance between Islamists and progressives who seek the downfall of America and Israel. It’s the inability of Christians and […]

Polly put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea.” This endearing 19th-century nursery rhyme is catchy, but one is left wondering, “Put the kettle on what? What’s in the kettle? Why do you need to put the kettle on to have tea?” E.D. Hirsch Jr. — American literary critic and educational theorist — reminds us that these questions are […]

When it collides with antisemitism, it’s anything but an accident.

Over the last century, the vast majority of American Jewry became progressively, and seemingly inevitably, more secular. With an intermarriage rate of 72%, all signs have pointed to the imminent end of the largest and most important Jewish community outside of Israel – until now. 

Our institutions have already proved weak.

Representative Ritchie Torres of New York’s 15th congressional district has emerged as a leading pro-Israel figure among young progressives. Sapir Editor-in-Chief Bret Stephens interviewed him about his sometimes lonely support for Israel and what it says about the future of the Jewish state in Democratic politics. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. […]

It’s hard to overstate the extent to which the United States is founded on ideals that are philosemitic by conviction, design, and effect. The Puritans arrived in Massachusetts determined to make a New Jerusalem, modeled on the old: They settled their colony in towns named Salem, Sharon, and Rehoboth. Harvard awarded its first degree to […]

October 7, 2023 forever changed Jewish history. The cataclysm is so profound that it will take years to fully understand. Time froze. It is still October 7. We have not yet moved on. Our anguish is too raw, our fear and uncertainty too pervasive. We are still traumatized, unable to truly begin the healing process […]

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.” I always loved this 1972 Johnny Nash hit for its optimism and upbeat tempo. Once the clouds are gone, he sees “the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for.” For many of us, October 7 provided the same clarity — but without the rainbow. The shock was something we could […]

Plus: With 229 days to go, how to stay motivated without going crazy?

Ta’anit Esther is an act of mourning, prayer, repentance and remembrance, writes an architect, author and Israeli immigrant.

The most important biblical site you might not have heard of.