Anti-Semitism
Thursday will be the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, during which the Nazis went on a two-day rampage throughout Germany, smashing Jewish stores, buildings, and synagogues. Streets everywhere were filled with broken glass. It was the harbinger of things to come. Those things included isolating,
Politics
If you haven’t voted by mail, I’m hoping you will vote on Tuesday. Everyone should, especially those who wish for a better Philadelphia, and that would mean loosening the stranglehold the Democrats have had on the city for some 70 years. Not that there is anything wrong with
Israel
Peaceful protests have a long tradition in America, and they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. The hundreds who assembled Thursday evening to chant and protest in the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station were within their rights, until they started blocking commuters from where they wanted to
Anti-Semitism
There’s been an outbreak of anti-Semitism at the esteemed University of Pennsylvania, and new president Liz Magill is going about combating it in exactly the wrong way. Actually, she sort of encouraged it when her first mealy-mouthed statement rebuking the Oct. 7 massacre of Israelis did not use the
Israel
This is not a call for war, or a call for gore, it is a call for transparency, so we can see what we are up against. And by “we,” I mean civilized citizens of democracies. There is an adage in story-telling: Don't tell me -- show me.
Israel
If I didn’t know the truth, I might be swayed by the three great lies, and two half truths, of Palestinian supporters. But I do know the truth, which the majority of their supporters — especially on college campuses — don’t know, and in some cases don’t want to
Middle East
By Rabbi Jill Maderer “How?” — or Eicha? when translated into Hebrew — begins the anguished text of the Book of Lamentations. Chanted while seated on the floor, in the dark, Eicha asks the questions for which there are no answers. Rabbi Jill Maderer, senior rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, North Broad
Journalism
“Don’t pinch yourself. You’re not dreaming. “This Phillies team is that good. They lead an overmatched Diamondbacks team, 2-0, and they’re two wins away from a second straight pennant. They match up well against both the Rangers and Astros. Dream big.” — Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, 10/19/
Israel
About a week ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an editorial cartoon that I found highly distasteful, but I said nothing because I know what editorial cartoons are. They are the opinion of the cartoonist, and it might be an opinion I disagree with. I write things that others disagree with,
Elections
Tuesday, November 7th will be the most important election of your life. Naaah. It won’t, and don’t you get tired of hearing that every damn year? I sure do. This 11/7 is mostly a local election for Philadelphians, and the outcome is unlikely to change your life
Animals
I can’t believe it. I’ve had my dog for almost seven years and I haven’t written a column about him. I had written several about my last dog, and she actually wrote a column for the Daily News one day. Had her picture logo, too. (She wasn’
Journalism
I have been an American journalist for 64 years. I am Jewish by birth, and proud of my heritage, but I never wanted to be known as a “Jewish journalist.” Once I became a columnist at the Philadelphia Daily News, and was free to choose my subjects, I avoided writing