Ten years. Ten years is a long time. They say ‘time heals all wounds’ and ‘whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ but I think those phrases need to be updated. Because while time dulls the pain, it doesn’t heal wounds that aren’t fully treated. Ten years ago last month, my wife and I experienced […]
This past Sunday, a pogrom occurred in Los Angeles, when an Israeli real estate event scheduled at Adas Torah (a local synagogue in the Orthodox neighborhood of Pico Robertson) had Hamas supporters come to the streets trying to stop it. They were masked in keffiyehs and armed with bear spears. At least one Jewish man […]
Dear Jew in the City, I visited the site of the Nova Music Festival. What does Judaism say about visiting the site of a massacre? Is this kind of tourism allowed? I’m looking for an example to compare and contrast. Thank you, Arya – Dear Arya, Thanks for your question. To be honest, I couldn’t […]
Dear Jew in the City, Is there a blessing to recite when a hostage is rescued? Thank you, Eliana – Dear Eliana, Thanks for your question. Brachos (blessings) are recited on a number of special occasions. We recite brachos on natural phenomena like thunder and lightning, and upon seeing a rainbow. We recite brachos on […]
We’re living through unprecedented times in America. In my lifetime, I hoped I would never see the vitriol and antisemitic that my Jewish ancestors went through. I felt confident that “never again” really meant never again. Jews would never go through the persecution of the past. The truth and goodness of the Jewish people I […]
Dear Jew in the City, My friend said you can’t be buried in a Jewish cemetery with tattoos – is that true? Thanks, Alexander Dear Alexander- That Jews with tattoos cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery is a persistent myth, right up there with “Jews don’t believe in Hell.” And, like “Jews don’t […]
