Israel: Jewish and Democratic

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Sam Lehman-Wilzig

Jul 11, 2025, 7:42 AM

Who is a Jew(ish Israeli)?

Once again, the question of “Who is a Jew?” has arisen in Israel – one of the most volatile and controversial since the country’s establishment back in 1948. The issue is important because of Israel’s nature as a “nation-state.”...

Jul 4, 2025, 10:58 PM

Unity, Clarity, and Resolve in a Time of Trial

Last week, hundreds of Jewish leaders from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., for an Emergency Leadership Fly-In convened by the Conference of Presidents and the Jewish Federations of North America. We did not come for symbolism....

Jul 4, 2025, 7:29 PM

4th of July Reflections of an American/Israeli

Sometimes, change happens quietly. And then there are moments—like now—when it feels like the ground is shifting beneath our feet. It was my uncle Zev who infected me with the “political bug.” And I think he knows it. Zev faithfully...

Jun 30, 2025, 12:07 PM

The Day After War – Forging a New Path Forward

Nine months ago, we moved to Israel with our seven children. We came with dreams, a sense of purpose, and hearts wide open to this historic homeland we’d yearned for. We expected challenges, yes—but we couldn’t have imagined that...

Andy Blumenthal

Jun 29, 2025, 6:04 AM

When Beautiful Music Becomes a Mantra of Hate

Music festivals and concerts have long been celebrated as spaces of unity and creativity. Yet, in recent years, these platforms are increasingly not just being hijacked for hate but are a vehicle for it. What should be a universal...

Jun 26, 2025, 11:02 PM

Korach: A Lesson for Israel after the Israel-Iran War

For decades, Iran’s Supreme Leaders have viewed the West—particularly the United States and Israel—as existential threats to the moral and political order they seek to establish. In their eyes, the West represents “global arrogance,” a force of moral decay...

Andy Blumenthal

Jun 22, 2025, 5:51 AM

Defeating “The Giants” of Iran With Tikkun

Recently, during an interview regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran and the remarkable achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly attributed these successes to “BeSiyata DeShmaya”—with the help of Heaven. This profound acknowledgment reflects...

Andy Blumenthal

Jun 15, 2025, 6:24 AM

IDF Fights Iran: A Fusion of Force and Faith

Recognizing Divine Providence As we complete the second day of the long-awaited showdown between Israel and Iran, let us first and foremost recognize that the ultimate glory in our success here belongs to the Almighty—Hashem, the Eternal Sovereign, who guides...

Allen S. Maller

Jun 14, 2025, 3:07 AM

‘Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise’

The wise king Solomon warned us “Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you ruin yourself?” Ecclesiastes 7:16 What does this mean and why should we think about it? The burning of witches, the...

Jun 12, 2025, 5:48 PM

Is Israel Still Jewish? Moral Clarity in a World of Confusion

I landed back in London late last night, on a packed El Al flight from Tel Aviv. My son, just recently bar mitzvahed, had joined me on a solidarity trip to Israel. We went to listen, to bear witness,...

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