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Michael Aarenau

Jul 23, 2018, 12:20 AM

The Nation-State Bill’s Hideousness Is Showcased Not in Its Bite But in Its Bark

On July 18, Israel passed its controversial Nation-State bill, with just 62 of its 120 MKs voting in favour. Upon its passing, pandemonium erupted in the Knesset, with Arab MKs tearing up copies of the bill and being escorted...

Jul 22, 2018, 3:45 PM

Iran is not here!

Take it from one who performs Orthodox weddings outside the Chief Rabbinate: The Haiyun case is no big deal

Jul 22, 2018, 1:22 PM

A modern-day lament, this Tisha B’Av

People take part at a protest march against the proposed Nation-state Law in Tel Aviv on July 14, 2018. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Dear God, how can the Jewish state be undermining its own democratic and progressive values?

Robert L. Wolkoff

Jul 20, 2018, 11:44 PM

There is Now a Jewish State. Let the Hysteria Begin.

Israel has done the unthinkable. The state of the Jews has declared itself a Jewish state. OMG. If you see smoke rising on the horizon, it is from thousands of pages of thesauruses catching fire as a result of the...

Jul 20, 2018, 12:42 PM

A war in Gaza, a pair of underpants and Tisha B'Av

Israeli soldiers seen on top of a truck at their termporary set up military camp near the Israeli border with Gaza on July 24, 2014. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)

What gives you strength to spend the night in a Gaza neighborhood days after your friend was killed in the same situation?

Jul 20, 2018, 7:00 AM

A Possible Solution?

The newly passed Nation-State law is causing rejoicing in right-wing circles while at the same time being decried by Jewish and Arab opponents. The Joint Arab bloc led by Ayman Odeh and the 16 Arab members in the Knesset are...

Jul 20, 2018, 6:53 AM

Fallen Cold and Dead

Abir Sultan/European Pressphoto Agency, via Shutterstock

Lately, I have found myself listening to Israeli music. Some of what I listen to may be considered corny. But I like it. I lived in Israel once upon a time, and unable to find a way back there...

Mikie Goldstein

Jul 20, 2018, 12:21 AM

The day the Jewish state became Orthodox

The legs of a bride and groom are seen as they break two glasses concluding their Reform Jewish wedding ceremony held in front of the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, on March 18, 2013, in protest of the Orthodox Rabbinate's monopoly on marriage licensing and the lack of civil marriages in Israel. (Flash 90)

It only took a few hours: first, the nation-state bill was signed; then, a Conservative rabbi was detained by police

Jul 19, 2018, 5:35 PM

Nation State Law challenges Israel’s status as both Jewish and democratic

Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset. November 13, 2016. (Photo by Ohad Zwigenberg/POOL via JINIPIX)

Late last night the Knesset passed the ‘Nation-State Law’, a new ‘Basic Law’ which forms Israel’s de facto constitution. This latest Law is dangerous and dismantles Israel’s founding status as a homeland for the Jews and a democratic state for...

Jul 19, 2018, 2:48 PM

Arrest me: I too officiated at non-Orthodox weddings

Rabbi Dov Haiyun, in a police car after being hauled in for questioning over his officiation of weddings outside the Chief Rabbinate on July 19, 2018. (courtesy)

How much more will it take for liberal Jewish leadership to say enough is enough?

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