Daily Archives: August 23, 2009

Shmuel Herzfeld – A Gay-Friendly Orthodox Rabbi

James Kirchick writes: Unlike most Orthodox synagogues, some of those congregants at Ohev Sholom are gay and don’t feel pressured into keeping that fact a secret with their rabbi or fellow worshipers. This is of course in large part attributable … Continue reading

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My Ambivalence About Robert Novak

I read Novak’s enormous memoir. We agreed on most things, but not about things Jewish. Bob Novak was a relentless critic of Israel. Why? From TheTablet.com: Meanwhile, much of the Jewish pundit class has treated news of Novak’s passing delicately. … Continue reading

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The Responsa Of Louis Ginzberg

Rabbi Gil Student writes: R. Mintz discusses a number of responsa of this leader of the Conservative movement in the early twentieth century and acknowledged talmudic expert. R. Mintz advances the theory that Prof. Ginzberg was trying to balance the … Continue reading

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Muslims Turn To Synagogues For Worship Space

One thing that most American synagogues have in spades is space. Jews don’t go to shul very often unless they’re Orthodox. Muslims, however, pour into their sacred spaces in increasing numbers in America (while fewer and fewer Jews go to … Continue reading

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Lonely Hasidic Men

Where will they find solace? Will the Torah be enough? The New York Times reports: In July and August, many families there head for bungalow colonies in the Catskills, leaving behind men who work all week and reunite with their … Continue reading

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