Chajm Guski, at The Blogs

Jan 6, 2025, 4:52 AM

The Day of Remembrance was introduced on January 3, 1996, by a proclamation of Federal President Roman Herzog and set for January 27

In the quaint village of Selm-Bork, nestled in the heart of Germany, stands a humble half-timbered synagogue, its interior adorned with a painted blue starry sky. Years ago, as I showed this unassuming structure to an Israeli acquaintance, his...

Dec 14, 2023, 9:46 AM

Masha Gessen and the New Yorker – a perspective from Germany

In a recent piece for “The New Yorker,” Masha Gessen weaves a narrative that stretches from Berlin, through Poland and Kiev, all the way to Gaza. The focus is on the concerted efforts of official entities to breathe life...

Aug 8, 2023, 3:03 PM

The German-Jewish writer who wasn’t Jewish

Is there anything more Jewish than a German - non-Jewish - journalist who pretends to be Jewish but blames his mother? And who, ironically, wrote an article entitled “Irena Wachendorff: The German Alibi Jew Who Wasn't” for Heeb Magazine...

Oct 12, 2021, 1:20 PM

Featured Post

A German Talmud translation on Sefaria

The Sefaria version of the Goldschmidt Talmud and the first edition.

After so many terrible years of nearly no call for this work, it's in demand in the digital world - and as a model for Talmud translations into other languages too

Mar 23, 2021, 4:09 AM

The future of the European Diaspora

Two topics are Jewish perennials: “who is a Jew” and “the Diaspora and Israel.” Do Jews have to feel guilty (or even guiltier) if they still live in Galut? Contradictory developments have occurred in Europe: Life is more insecure for...

Dec 23, 2020, 8:34 AM

A small review of the Koren Mikraot Hadorot

A page of the Koren Mikraot Hadorot with Rashi.

It is not possible to overestimate the work of Koren publishers during the last years: The new Koren siddur, the Steinsaltz Talmud, the Steinsaltz Ḥumash and many other (influential) books and publications. Not to mention the accuracy of the...

Feb 24, 2020, 12:53 PM

Berlin: Pollution of minds vs. air pollution

It is simply a question of priorities! “What do you want?” asked an invisible force, let us call this force “universe” the city of Berlin: “You have two choices. A parade of vintage cars crossing the so-called Ku'damm, the most famous...

May 31, 2019, 5:26 AM

About the German “Wear a kippah Saturday”

Dr Felix Klein, the “Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Anti-Semitism”, made headlines last week - not only in Germany. He warned against wearing the kippa in public. Well, most German Jews weren’t...

Jul 15, 2014, 5:20 PM

Jewish Germany and Operation Protective Edge

Jewish Germany is like Hawaii. On the surface, everything is excellent and sunny. You can spend a marvelous time. The place is almost a paradise. But beneath the surface is a constant flow of lava and the crust of...

Jun 2, 2014, 5:25 PM

Notes from the (German) Galut: Politics and Synagogues

A German Synagogue. Shabbat-morning. The Gabbai looks at me expectantly. This is a new community and synagogue for me, so I do not know anyone. But I am up on the Bimah, in front of the worshipping masses. Worshipping masses means:...

About Me

Chajm is a writer, blogger, and resident of the German Ruhr district; publisher of the German Jewish website talmud.de. Some of his articles are published in a German-Jewish weekly.

Contact Me