Jeffrey Salkin, at The Blogs

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Jan 5, 2022, 2:21 AM

The Armenians and the Jews: a look in the mirror

The other day, I happened to be in my local dry cleaners, when I heard a customer saying something to the owner, in a language that I did not understand. “What did that gentleman just say to you?” I asked. The...

May 23, 2017, 8:16 PM

How many Jerusalems are there, anyway?

Why is Yerushalayim plural, One on high and one below?... I want to live in one “Yerushal,” Because I am just “I” and not “I”s. Yehuda Amichai, “Open Closed Open” Welcome to one of the great grammatical conundrums in the history of Jewish geography:...

Jan 24, 2017, 9:46 PM

Don’t move the US embassy to Jerusalem

Let me start by telling you what I believe about Jerusalem. At last count, I have visited Jerusalem about 45 times in my life -- not counting the full year that I lived and studied there in preparation for the...

Nov 11, 2016, 7:21 PM

Trump must now denounce the alt-right and anti-Semitism

At the end of the day, this is the man who America elected. A man who has made sexist remarks, and who has been accused of sexual assault. A man who has baited Hispanics and Muslims. A man who has...

Oct 23, 2016, 10:37 PM

How to channel your inner Noah

My sneakers are almost dry. Last week, during the epic "king tide" -- a confluence of Sukkot and the full moon -- I stood on a south Florida street as the waters came slowly rushing in, ultimately coming up to...

Oct 13, 2016, 10:16 PM

Give Jewish values a vote on Election Day

Let's not start with the American elections. Let's hold an election for the most important Jewish musical of all time. Is there any doubt in your mind? Fiddler on the Roof would win -- hands down. If we were to vote for...

Oct 10, 2016, 2:31 PM

How a previous refugee crisis destroyed my grandfather’s faith

A previous refugee crisis carried immeasurable losses for his family -- which he mourns with the Yom Kippur yizkor

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About Me

Jeffrey K. Salkin is the rabbi of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, Florida, and a frequent writer on Jewish and cultural matters. He also blogs frequently at Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred, published by Religion News Service.