Eric J. Greenberg
By Eric J. Greenberg
-
Israel News Hip-hop Mogul’s Ad Campaign Fuels Feud Between Groups
The announcement that hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is spearheading a celebrity-driven campaign to fight antisemitism has triggered a feud between two national Jewish organizations dedicated to promoting tolerance. At issue is the participation of Simmons in the “I Am a Jew” ad campaign of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, a New York-based group founded by…
-
News Protestant Churches Consider Anti-Israel Divestment
Even as Israeli and Palestinian leaders talk of a breakthrough, two more mainline Protestant denominations — the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ — are now weighing divestment proposals aimed at pressuring Israel to withdraw from Gaza and the West Bank. The Presbyterian Church (USA) approved a plan last summer to begin the…
-
News Shlemiel, Shlemazel: Left, Right Infuriated (by Peres)
The Yiddish term “shlemazel” has been broadcast into tens of millions of American homes during the last three decades, via the popular 1970s comedy hit “Laverne & Shirley” — apparently without incident. But when Israel’s vice premier, Shimon Peres, dismissed a massive right-wing anti-disengagement demonstration as a “rally of shlemazels” last week, he was reproached…
-
News Poland Faces Property Restitution Claim
Poland has received much praise from Jewish leaders in recent days for its sponsorship of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz — perhaps the last major memorial to be attended by survivors and liberators. In addition, the Polish government is being hailed for finalizing agreements last month to build a…
-
News Chabad Prize to Putin Spurring Debate Over Russian’s Actions
WARSAW — Just before the sun set over Auschwitz on January 27, ending the international ceremonies that marked the 60th anniversary of the notorious death camp’s liberation, President Vladimir Putin of Russia stepped forward to receive a medal from Rabbi Berel Lazar, one of the two men who claims the title of chief rabbi of…
-
Culture Plaut Redux: Reforming the Reform Commentary
Since its release nearly a quarter-century ago, the Reform movement’s first biblical commentary has sold 250,000 copies and helped fuel a revolution in Torah study. But, as more and more congregations in recent years began placing a greater emphasis on Hebrew and Torah reading during Sabbath services, the tome essentially fell out of step with…
-
Culture Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Is Commemorated Around the World
Sixty years after the liberation of Auschwitz by Russian soldiers, leaders of more than 100 nations joined this week for a string of tributes in America, Europe, and at the death camp itself to honor victims and vow that the Nazi horrors never would be repeated. Hanging over the events, though, was a palpable sense…
-
News Showdown Set on Gay-Vows Rabbi
A showdown is set for next week between the Conservative movement’s rabbinical union and one of its younger members, who claims she is facing expulsion because of her activism on behalf of gay and lesbian Jews. Rabbi Joel Meyers, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, acknowledges that one of his organization’s committees has recommended…
Most Popular
- 1
News Dutch Jews grapple with ‘weaponization’ of their fear following attack on Israelis
- 2
Opinion Almost all voting groups shifted toward Trump, except American Jews. Why?
- 3
News What a Secretary of State Marco Rubio would mean for American Jews and Israel
- 4
Fast Forward ‘Antisemitic hit-and-run squads’: Amsterdam temporarily bans demonstrations after Israeli soccer fans attacked by street mobs
In Case You Missed It
-
Yiddish World New Los Angeles Yiddish scene continues a long tradition
-
Fast Forward Israel’s proposed wartime budget would slash benefits for new immigrants
-
Fast Forward ‘Wanted’ posters at U of Rochester target Hillel director, Netanyahu’s brother and others with ‘ties’ to Israel
-
Fast Forward Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco will close for a year, citing financial woes
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism