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Category Archives: Orthodoxy
Shaarey Zedek Has A Pulpit Star
Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg (45)?) has wowed most of his new shul in Valley Village (except for the right-wing). I talk to an Orthodox friend about going to Beth Am (Conservative). "Do they call it davening still or is it ‘communing … Continue reading
Stunning Enrollment Drop At Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy?
A source writes: "Large enrollment drop again for the fall year 2007-2008 from about 600 students to about 450. This is going to enlarge the deficit an additional $1.5 to 2.0. million dollars. School board president Morey Levovitz’s agenda at … Continue reading
Steinhardt’s Shtick
Samuel Freedman writes: Earlier this month, the Reuth social-service organization held its annual fund-raising dinner in Manhattan, at one point offering its podium to the philanthropist Michael Steinhardt. He took the occasion, according to a report in the New York … Continue reading
Yeshiva University Apes Aish HaTorah
A friend comments: "Click on the YU Center for the Jewish Future ad. Is it me, or is there something depressing about this ersatz version of an Aish ad campaign?"
How Did The Cult Of Lashon Hara Laws Strangle Open Discussion In Orthodox Life?
For the first 3000 years of its history, judging by its sacred texts, the Jews had open discussion of individuals. The Bible and the Talmud were never shy about describing people in detail, even negative detail. Then a thicket of … Continue reading
An Interview With Historian Edward S. Shapiro
He’s the father of controversial historian Marc B. Shapiro. I call Dr. Edward Shapiro (author of Letters of Sydney Hook: Democracy, Communism and the Cold War, We Are Many: Reflections on Jewish History and Identity, The Oys of Yiddish: Essays … Continue reading
Orthodoxy Vs. Modernity
I chat with a Conservative Jewish scholar. LF: The answer to your essay is that O has no answer. Orthodoxy and modernity are not compatible, there can only be compromises. That is a good and bad things. There is much … Continue reading
Which Orthodox Shul Has Valet Parking On Shabbos?
Walking out of the Beit Midrash after mincha-ma’ariv Sunday, I passed five valet attendants. “We should have that on Shabbos,” I joked. Then I learned that there is an Orthodox shul with valet parking on Shabbos (Orthodox Judaism rules that … Continue reading
Jerry Friedman Remains At Shalhevet
His dispute with the board continues. I guess Jerry was just bluffing when he walked away from the school last week. I’m not sure how long he will last at Shalhevet if he does not get his way. Friedman has … Continue reading
Blessed Be The True Judge
A friend writes: My father died on 14th of shvat, after a year of declining health (renal failure–he’d been on dialysis for a little over a year). Never a great time, but it was definitely his time.Sorry about the freakout. … Continue reading