“If human beings can be trained for cruelty and greed and a belief in power which comes through hate and fear and force, certainly we can train equally well for greatness and mercy and the power of love which comes because of the strength of the good qualities to be found in the soul of […]
As we prepare to celebrate Pesach (Passover), America’s young people are facing a mental health crisis. Global events such as the pandemic, financial instability, and war have coincided with a significant rise in mental health challenges among young people. Governor Tony Evers has even declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health. A theme I often […]
I am grateful for the recent article about the new direction of The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, as well as the review of “Mixed-Up Love: Relationships, Family, and Religious Identity in the 21st Century,” both of which are endeavors I shared with my husband Jon M. […]
As most of us know, incidents of antisemitism, including but not limited to: harassment, vandalism, hate crimes, and cyberbullying, are on the rise in the United States. Almost every single Jew in the U.S has experienced antisemitism in some way. For example, Ye, (previously known as Kanye West), has been quite vocal about his support […]
To the editor: This is a letter to editor, RE: “Opinion: Jewish GOP Has Path,” in the January Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. I cannot see patriotism in supporting the GOP after having to put up with the former president and his henchpersons like Giuliani and the others, regardless of their support of the state of Israel. […]
Thirty three percent of American Jews who participated in the midterm elections voted Republican, according to a Fox News exit poll. While some dispute the findings, it is quite a startling number if you consider the tone of the recent election – with charges of antisemitism, fascism, and threats to democracy swirling over Republican candidates. […]
As a Holocaust scholar and public historian, it is not very often that I discourage students, educators and friends from reading a book. Knowledge is power, and I am a firm believer in the strengthening of education and curiosity through both fiction and nonfiction literature. In the case of John Boyne’s The Boy in the […]
At the opulent and grand Emirates Palace, over delicious cardamom spiced Arabian coffee, we asked the Emirati minister of foreign affairs: After spending time in Israel negotiating the Abraham Accords what did he see as the difference between Israelis and Emiratis? He paused, and with a twinkle in his eye replied, “When we Emiratis must […]
Dave Chappelle recently delivered an antisemitic monologue on Saturday Night Live that included a defense of Kanye West and Kyrie Irving. It was an unacceptable moment in television. First, let’s look at SNL’s culpability and gain, at the expense of the Jews. SNL reportedly was surprised by Chappelle’s monologue because it differed from what had […]
When one thinks about the filmography of writer and director Mel Brooks, a few words come to mind: silly, overt and shameless; just to name a few. The Jewish director has parodied just about every genre of film from westerns, “Blazing Saddles” (1974), to horror, “Young Frankenstein” (1974)..Nowhere is Brooks’ writing and directing style […]