Scribe, the Forward’s curated contributor network, is a place for showcasing personal experiences and perspective from across our Jewish communities. Here you will find a wide array of reflections on Jewish issues, life-cycle events, spirituality, culture and more.
Community
-
You say matzah — and matzo and matzuh and matzee and more
Readers respond to our editor-in-chief’s column about a Passover copy-editing conundrum
-
The Great Hanukkah Debates: Do Latkes Go Best With Applesauce Or Sour Cream?
Do crispy, hot, delicious latkes go best with apple sauce, sour cream, or by themselves? Let us know what you think: Latke eaters everywhere: Are you team applesauce or team sour cream? — The Forward (@jdforward) December 14, 2017 No matter what team you’re on, enjoy latke recipes galore:
-
This Hanukkah, Remember Sandy Hook — And Take A Stand Against Gun Violence.
My youngest son’s preschool Hanukkah celebration is next Friday. And I’m feeling a little sad. Owen is in Pre-K. He’s my baby. So this is it — a 6th and final family Hanukkah celebration at the preschool that’s become a second home to us. When my older son Henry was at the same preschool, I…
The Latest
-
It’s Time to Rebrand Hanukkah for the 21st Century
There is much to love about Hanukkah: the beauty of dancing flames on winter nights, the taste of crisp latkes, singing with friends and family, and the promise of everyday miracles in the most hopeless moments. Sufganyiot even play a role in my courtship story with my husband, forever tingeing the holiday with a dose…
-
As A Religious Leader, I’m Often The Only Woman In The Room
To the editor: The culture Larry Cohler-Esses describes in his piece “The Gender Gap At Jewish Non-Profits Is Bad — And Getting Worse,” is profoundly familiar to me. Most especially when I enter into religious settings, I am frequently one of the only women in the room, and, as a lesbian, almost always the only…
-
Ex-Haredim Cannot Save Liberal Judaism
The recent Netflix documentary One of Us — which depicts the lives and tribulations of three Jews who are attempting to or have already left Hasidic Judaism — has led several commentators to reflect on the subject of those who leave the ultra-Orthodox community. One commentator, Anshel Pfeffer, who believes that there is currently a…
-
Leave God Out Of Your Election Commentary
Roy Moore’s first words after losing his U.S. Senate election in Alabama invoked Psalm 40 for God’s control of the election. At the same time, my liberal friends and colleagues – who for years lamented “Bible beating” in the public square – jubilantly called Doug Jones’ election victory a “Chanukkah miracle” that “proves a loving…
-
Orthodox Jews Should Mourn Trump’s Jerusalem Declaration — Not Cheer It On.
Karl Marx famously wrote that when historic events recur, they appear “the first time as tragedy, the second as farce.” If Israel’s bloody conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967 (including the mass expulsion of Palestinians that followed it) was a tragedy, what can I call this latest chapter in the degradation of the place our…
-
Lay Off Linda Sarsour
On December 6th, Jews For Racial & Economic Justice, where I work, honored Linda Sarsour with the Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk Taker Award, alongside Rabbi Ellen Lippmann and the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s We Dream In Black. And we did so with unabashed pride. The honor JFREJ has bestowed is called the “Risk Taker”…
-
8 Nights Of Vegetarian Hanukkah Delights
I am no cooking class expert, but the setup of the Manhattan JCC’s Vegetarian Hanukkah Dinner class seemed quite unusual. As I briefly lingered in the doorway, a sea of friendly yet confused faces framed by gray and white hair met my gaze. Four people sat to a table and there was not an ingredient…
-
Why Are Democratic Senators Enabling One Of Trump’s Worst Decisions?
President Trump’s announcement stating that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and directing the State Department to begin moving the embassy sparked anger and protests across the world. One would think that Democrats would be be jumping at the chance to hammer Trump for his reckless plans that violate international law and needlessly add more…
-
How Should Israeli-Palestinian Civil Society Respond To Trump’s Jerusalem Move?
Shortly after he helped produce the Balfour Declaration that 100 years ago gave great momentum to the enterprise to establish the Jewish National Home in Palestine, and well before he became Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann cautioned that “the Zionist Congress …. Has to learn the truth that Palestine is not Rhodesia and that 600,000…
Most Popular
- 1
Culture How my odious cousin Roy Cohn was responsible for creating Donald Trump — and me
- 2
Fast Forward Was the viral Ta-Nehisi Coates interview a hit piece or fair play? A journalism ethics expert weighs in.
- 3
Culture New conspiracy theory just dropped — Jews are causing the hurricanes
- 4
Sports 5 Jewish things about the Mets — and why Jewish fans adore them
In Case You Missed It
-
Opinion I’m a Jew of color. Ta-Nehisi Coates can’t apply U.S. lessons to Israel
-
Fast Forward ‘All options are on the table’ to keep Iran from going nuclear, Kamala Harris says in High Holiday call with Jewish voters
-
Opinion Forgiveness has its limits: a Yom Kippur reflection on justice
-
Opinion Atoning during a war feels impossible. Instead, resolve to do better
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism