
In American Jewish Life, Don’t Take Halloween for Granted
Halloween was my first introduction into the world of the truly secular, and of American culture itself (however commercialized).
Tabby Refael (@TabbyRefael on X and Instagram) is an award-winning writer, speaker, and weekly columnist.

Halloween was my first introduction into the world of the truly secular, and of American culture itself (however commercialized).

Isn’t Halloween as quintessentially American as a Thanksgiving dinner or New Year’s Eve in Times Square? It depends whom you ask.

For the original refuseniks and other activists and sympathizers, the glib appropriation of such a historically meaningful term is painful.

Seth Rogen is a famous actor, writer and filmmaker, but his wife, Lauren, is a formidable writer, director and producer. And as soon as I met Lauren, I knew she had a story to tell.

To expect someone who could face arrest back home (and put the safety of his community at risk) to speak truthfully about such issues is fantastically naive.

At 85, he is one of the most fast-witted, clarity-driven, and funniest people I know.

It’s easy to be in awe of Pearl. He’s been called “one of the giants in the field of artificial intelligence” by UCLA computer science professor Richard Korf.

It may be hard to believe, but a pet like Georgie is just another reminder that my family and I are truly Americans now.

In his songs, Salehi has criticized the regime’s devastating corruption.

Last week, I was deeply moved by news of the wedding of a young woman named Tamar Fogel in Israel.