A new Guardian interview with comedian Max Olesker, who underwent adult circumcision as part of his conversion to Orthodox Judaism, has brought renewed attention to the debate surrounding circumcision. Olesker has even turned his experience into a one-man show, Making the Cut. But Olesker isn’t the only one whose experience with circumcision has made headlines. […]
Dear JITC- We hear a lot of pop culture references to “I Love You Just the Way You Are,” “Born This Way,” etc. The Greeks also thought we were perfect as we are. So why would God create man needing a bris? What is Judaism trying to tell us about why we need circumcision? Shouldn’t […]
How a Multiracial Orthodox Rabbi is Using His Background to Create a Unique Community in Brooklyn Growing up in the Orthodox community of Monsey, New York, as the son of an African-American mother who converted to Judaism and a white Ashkenazi father who became religious later in life, Isaiah Rothstein knows what it’s like not […]
Dear Jew in the City, Someone told me that the mitzvos don’t count anymore – all God wants is our goodness. Why else did the prophet Micah say: “What does God require of you? Only to do justly love, mercy, and walk humbly with thy God?” Why did he say “only.” Also, I know there’s […]
