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July 7, 2005

O’Connor Played Key Church-State Role

Matthew E. Berger July 7, 2005

The modern-day legal guidelines on how religion fits into the American public square have largely been the creation of one woman: Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O\’Connor.

The U.S. Supreme Court has been fiercely divided for a quarter-century, with four justices opposing religious images in the public square and all federal money to religious organizations, and with four allowing for both.

At the center has been O\’Connor, the first woman on the high court, who announced her resignation last week.

Let the Games Begin

Carin Davis July 7, 2005

Let the games begin — in Israel.

The 17th World Maccabiah Games, an intense, world-class Olympic-style competition, will begin July 10 in Israel. The quadrennial games will bring together more than 7,000 Jewish athletes from 60 countries in 30 sports and four age divisions: youth, juniors, open and masters. More than 80 of those athletes hail from the greater Los Angeles area.

Ritual’s Mysteries

Rabbi Debra Orenstein July 7, 2005

This week\’s Torah portion begins with, and is named after, the key word chukat. Chukat means \”the law of\” and specifically refers to the ritual law of the red heifer. What distinguishes a chok from other kinds of laws is its mystery.

Most Torah commandments have a basis in reason and logic. Chukim cannot be justified by rational arguments. There is no plausible explanation for why the ashes of an unblemished red cow are particularly powerful against ritual impurity. Nor can intellectual arguments justify why those ashes should have the paradoxical effect of purifying an impure Israelite, but rendering a priest who handles them impure. The chok of the red heifer, like the chok not to wear a blend of wool and flax, doesn\’t claim to be reasonable. It claims to be holy and to foster holiness.

Often people will tell me that what they love about Judaism is the freedom to question, to challenge and to demand answers.

The Jewish Seat

Rob Eshman July 7, 2005

Seven American Jews have served on the Supreme Court of the United States of America.\n\nMake that eight — if you include Sandra Day O\’Connor.\n\nO\’Connor, who announced her retirement from the bench last week, isn\’t Jewish (you read it here first). But her legal opinions have had a profoundly positive effect on American Jewish life, which underscore the potential impact of the person President Bush nominates to replace her.\n\nAppreciation is pouring in for O\’Connor from streams of Judaism that rarely flow together. Orthodox groups have lauded her for her moderation, while more liberal denominations have praised her swing vote on issues dear to them.

The Dealbreakers

Carin Davis July 7, 2005

My blind date, Scott, likes college hoops, \’80s TV and helping others. I like his cute tuchus. I\’m thinkin\’ we\’d make a fine pair of Jews. We stray from the first date playbook and follow a Santa Monica dinner with a Main Street stroll. As we walk past yet a third unique boutique on our way to get dessert (that we don\’t want) and more time together (which we do), Scott says those three little words that can rock a girl\’s world. \”There\’s my car.\”

It\’s a PT Cruiser — washed and waxed today, valid registration, parked less than 12 inches from the curb. No fuzzy dice, high school tassel or pine-scented Playmate air freshener. The car doesn\’t scream \”show-off\” or \”shady,\” Speed Racer or gas guzzler. What it screams is middle-aged dad. More specifically — my dad.

Money for Nothing

Jill Stewart July 7, 2005

With newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa making school reform one of his key agenda items, and with education dominating the budget struggle in Sacramento, it\’s worth examining why the education debate usually centers on an emotional struggle over cash rather than actual reform.

In his speech to the National Education Association (NEA) a few days ago, Villaraigosa said, \”Don\’t think that this effort to make our schools the best that they can be will come cheap. That\’s ludicrous, that\’s snake-oil salesmanship.\”

He\’s espousing a view long held by unions, including the NEA and the California Teachers Association. But the truth is that dramatically increasing classroom funding in the United States has proved surprisingly irrelevant.

U.S. Mistakes Worsen Iran Situation

H. David Nahai July 7, 2005

The recent runoff election in Iran catapulted the ultra-conservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, onto the international stage and set off a blaze of speculation. But while the face of the presidency may have changed, the soul of the regime has not.

From the vantage point of the United States and Israel, the Iranian government remains a repressive autocracy at home and a sponsor of terrorism abroad. It\’s also a regime they view as close to developing nuclear weapons. With Ahmadinejad as president, Iran\’s government is now dominated by hard-liners, with the reformists marginalized. This development certainly does not augur well for the future of relations between Iran and the United States and Iran and Israel, or for the cause of freedom within Iran. However, the added problem is that the regime now asserts that the election (with its high turnout) affirms the regime\’s legitimacy and validates its system of government.

Disengagement Now — No Way to Peace

Arthur Cohn July 7, 2005

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon\’s plan for an Israeli pullout from Gaza and a few more settlements in the Shomron has found extensive initial approval among Jews in the Diaspora.

At first glance, this is understandable. The absence of a credible Palestinian negotiating partner, combined with Israel\’s vigorous desire to create a more peaceful atmosphere in the Middle East, has made a partial segregation from the Palestinian Arabs appear to be a step in the right direction.

But before we leap, let\’s look. Let\’s pay attention to the serious voices of dissent.

The Mohel’s Wife

Felisa Billet July 7, 2005

When I congratulated \”Julie\” at her son\’s bris, I couldn\’t believe that she looked better than I did at my wedding. Like most of the other women attending the ritual circumcision, we were amazed that anyone could be so put together eight days after giving birth. Trim and graceful with manicured nails and perfect make-up, Julie went out of her way to insist that I sample the blintz soufflé on the elaborate buffet table, making me highly doubtful that this could be the same woman who had just shared her horror story describing 30 hours of excruciating labor — and four of them were spent pushing!

Women like Julie shouldn\’t shock me anymore but somehow they still do. As the wife of a mohel, I have seen them all. From moms who fit into their pre-pregnancy Size-6 suits to others who still generously fill their maternity clothes that make me wonder if they already had the baby, meeting new mothers is routine as grocery shopping.

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