Yosef Vogel, at The Blogs

Feb 6, 2026, 5:47 AM

Why Jewish Identity is the Only Antidote to Hate

Delivering the annual “State of World Jewry” address at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y this Sunday, Bret Stephens voiced a sobering reality many have long suspected: the multi-million dollar industry dedicated to fighting antisemitism has failed. “What we call the...

Sep 18, 2025, 8:07 AM

From Holocaust Badge to Abraham’s Promise: Which Star Will Guide Us?

On August 21, 2017, during the encore of his Madison Square Garden concert, Billy Joel stepped on stage wearing the yellow Star of David sewn onto both the front and back of his jacket - a striking visual statement...

Jul 10, 2025, 9:50 PM

In a World of Bold Lies, Dare to Speak Bold Truth

Resilience is one of those qualities we all wish we had in greater measure. In today’s volatile social and political climate, where norms shift rapidly and unpredictably, our ability to endure and stay grounded isn’t just helpful - it’s...

Jul 3, 2025, 9:29 AM

What Makes a True Hero? Lesson from Yoni Netanyahu

We are all drawn to heroes. Stories of extraordinary courage, leadership, and sacrifice awaken something deep within us - they stir the belief that we, too, can rise above our limitations. For any Jew who came of age in the...

Jun 26, 2025, 7:02 AM

As History Unfolds – Where Are You?

My father often repeated this quote: “A wise man’s question is half the answer.” In other words, the key to getting the right answer lies in asking the right question. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Iran war and the constant...

Jun 18, 2025, 11:58 PM

Survival Isn’t Strategy It’s a Miracle

Otto von Bismarck once said, “Those who live through history rarely realize it.” As we witness history unfolding in real time, its full magnitude and implications are almost impossible to grasp. A recent article titled “How Tiny Israel Brought Iran...

Jan 20, 2025, 1:18 AM

Borders, Truth, and the Future of Israel

When all else fails, speak the truth. The wisest of men said it best: “Truthful speech abides forever; a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” One may choose the short-term path of lies and half-truths, delaying the inevitable. Or, one can...

Jan 1, 2025, 6:29 AM

“Me too – I was wrong all these years”

Few Jewish festivals encapsulate the tumultuous experience of our people in exile as vividly as the festival of Chanukah. It commemorates a miraculous victory of a small Jewish force living in Judea, under Greek rule, who eventually triumphed against a...

Dec 10, 2024, 9:10 AM

Why the Jewish Story Must Transcend Antisemitism

Einstein once remarked, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I would spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and only five minutes thinking about solutions.” His insight underscores the importance of understanding root causes before crafting...

Sep 5, 2020, 12:09 AM

We’re All Children Of One Father

A few years ago I travelled to the United Arab Emirates in order to facilitate a Jewish marriage. I must confess that I was a little apprehensive. My colleagues in Dubai advised that I wear a baseball cap in order...

About Me

Rabbi Yosef Vogel serves on the Strategic Partnerships and Development team at The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute in New York, a global leader in Jewish adult education. He is also the Director of the Center for Universal Values

Contact Me