Blog
Joan Rivers talks to the Standard about life and work and how to meet men
June 3, 2011
Ahead of her June 12 performance to benefit Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey, the local chapter of a charity founded in memory of the comedian Gilda Radner to help those struggling with cancer, cancer survivors, and their families,...
Sean Hannity gets it
June 2, 2011
I saw a great exchange last week on FOX News’ “Hannity’s America ” between journalists Sean Hannity and Juan Williams. They were discussing the flap following President Obama’s remarks that as part of any...
Won ‘Jeopardy!’ (What did the rabbi do on Monday?)
May 23, 2011
Jews have a reputation for answering a question with a question. That might help explain Rabbi Joyce Newmark’s big news — she is a “Jeopardy!” champion.
In the episode of the television game show that aired on Monday, Newmark had no...
Local educators weigh in on teaching evolution, creationism: Governor’s remarks ignite speculation
May 23, 2011
At a May 4 town hall meeting in Manalapan, Gov. Chris Christie fielded a question about his views on creationism being taught in schools alongside Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
According to news accounts, Christie told the...
What do the Palestinians want?
May 23, 2011
On Sunday, demonstrators from Syria, Lebanon, the west bank, and Gaza converged in what appeared to be a coordinated attack on Israel, simultaneously breaching multiple borders and accosting IDF troops, in some cases throwing rocks and...
Obama speaks at AIPAC: doubles down on 1967 borders, promises diplomatic support
May 22, 2011
Monday morning President Obama spoke at AIPAC. I attended and will blog a few points as well as share my impressions.
First: Obama received a standing ovation walking into the enormous hall at the Washington Convention Center, which was festooned...
Peace will only come through strength
May 21, 2011
On Thursday, President Obama spoke about his vision for the middle east. Friday, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington and gave the President a dose of reality.
A few thoughts on these developments (I am on my way to the AIPAC...
Former NYC detective, counter-terror liaison has worked to protect the innocent: Mordechai Dzikansky to discuss lessons learned
May 15, 2011
From using “Jewish guilt” to interrogate criminals to reporting to the New York Police Department from the scene of suicide bombings in Israel, Mordechai Dzikansky’s career has been unique.
“You have to be unconventional and you have...
Syrians defy Assad, the rebellion through the eyes of one Syrian-American
May 14, 2011
Recently I interviewed a Syrian-American acquaintance, a restaurateur in his mid-thirties, Ahmad (name has been changed for security reasons) about what it was like to grow up in Syria (he immigrated to the U.S. as a young adult) under the...
Rabbi remembers beatified pope
May 8, 2011
Rabbi Jack Bemporad of Englewood recalls that in 2005, when Pope John Paul II was ailing, he and a group of other clergy surrounded the frail pope.
“We said, ‘Would you mind if we say a prayer?’ and [the pope] said, ‘That would be...