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Steven Berkowitz

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Dec 15, 2025, 3:16 PM

Neither Miracle Nor Metaphor, It’s Just Who We Are

For a holiday that celebrates a military victory, it’s safe to say that after what happened in Australia, we probably all feel a bit defeated. After all, there have been too many such days the last few years, not to...

Oct 13, 2025, 11:09 PM

Negotiating the Value of a Human Life

Once again, Israel gave up a hugely disproportionate number of Palestinians to get back a handful of our own. 2000 of them for just 20 of us. Actually, that sounds about right. The numbers don’t reflect that Israel overpaid to...

Jun 19, 2025, 11:28 PM

Fighting Two Different Wars, But the Same Old Thinking

With today’s average attention span and rapidly changing news cycles being what they are, the sustained focus on Israel is almost impressive. That is, unless of course you’re Jewish. Then the ongoing protests and misdirected outrage is beyond upsetting, if...

May 13, 2025, 7:52 AM

Airforce Wonder: Trying to Understand the Deal for Edan Alexander

There may be no bigger red flag for Jews than when we all agree on something. Whether it’s a brisket or a good physical therapist, it doesn’t happen too often. Okay, it almost never happens, especially when it comes...

May 9, 2025, 12:53 PM

India, Israel, and what the world needs to remember about Daniel Pearl

There are two ways to look at what’s happening between India and Pakistan. The most recent manifestation of a long-standing conflict over Kashmir, or India responding as any sovereign nation would after its people were attacked by terrorists (yes,...

May 2, 2025, 11:34 PM

The Independence I Wish We Had Celebrated

On May 1, Israel celebrated its Independence Day. And in Israel, unlike America or any other country I’m aware of, they do a really smart thing. They connect Independence Day with their Memorial Day which always takes place the...

Dec 27, 2024, 10:45 AM

We Are the Miracles

We survived slavery in Egypt. We survived the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and the Romans. We survived our Temples being destroyed. We survived the Diaspora. We survived the Crusades. We survived expulsions and pogroms in Europe. We survived prisons in Russia. We survived the Holocaust. We survived a...

Oct 22, 2024, 12:57 PM

Turning Plastic Grapes into Wine — Celebrating Sukkot During a War

It always struck me as odd the expression to practice one’s religion, or to be a practicing Jew. It may not have been coined by one of the sages, but thinking about it, it’s pretty wise. After all, it’s not...

Aug 16, 2024, 11:42 AM

Columbia’s President Stepped Down. So Should the Media That Reported On it.

The resigning of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik may feel like sweet justice, if not a little schadenfreude. Okay, a lot of schadenfreude. The sudden news certainly brought joy to my heart, especially at a time when good headlines...

Jun 4, 2024, 12:00 PM

Walking the Walk — Thoughts From the NYC Israel Day Parade

There we were, thousands of Jews striding across the streets of New York in a prideful display. No, I’m not talking about lunchtime in midtown on a Tuesday. The New York City Israel Day Parade was on Sunday June...

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About Me

Steven Berkowitz lives in New York City, writing advertising by day, and by night, sharing thoughts he hopes connect with the broader Jewish world. He hopes his next piece will be a lot funnier, and says, "Sorry about that!"