israel Archives – Page 3 of 23

Pew study finds a vibrant Jewish community

Jewish Journal October 10, 2013

Over the past week, I have seen a flurry of writing about Pew Research Center’s study on American Jews. Several scholars and communal leaders have taken an alarmist stance toward the findings, calling the increasing rate of intermarriage “devastating” and describing non-Orthodox Jews as “demographically challenged.” As an adviser to the Pew study and researcher of American Jewish communities, I would like to offer a more optimistic analysis.

Can common sense save Judaism?

David Suissa October 9, 2013

It’s funny how the American Jewish community has a way of getting all breathless and excited when a new study comes out, as is happening right now with the new Pew survey.

Pope, in Syria peace appeal, calls for end to spiral of death

Jewish Journal September 7, 2013

A somber-looking Pope Francis made an impassioned appeal before 100,000 people on Saturday to avert a widening of Syria\’s conflict, urging world leaders to pull humanity out of a \”spiral of sorrow and death.\”

Women of the Wall call alternative site a ‘wall of misfits’

Jewish Journal August 27, 2013

About a dozen women sit underneath a large Israeli flag at Judaism’s holiest site, the Western Wall. They’ve been here close to 24 hours, and are getting tired. They are members of Women of the Wall (WOW), a 25-year-old group of women from all denominations that wants equality for women at the Western Wall.

A Jew and a Muslim? L.A.-based NewGround wants to show we can all get along

Jonah Lowenfeld July 31, 2013

Most Jews and Muslims rarely talk — really talk — to one another. This is as true in the United States as elsewhere, a stark reality despite our nation’s vast diversity and the ability of so many different peoples to coexist. It is true also in Los Angeles, a city of strong ethnic identities, long drives and even longer cultural memories.

The silent killing of Christians

David Suissa July 31, 2013

The Middle East may be a raging wildfire, but the eyes of the world are on the revival of the Israeli-Palestinian peace dance — that all-too-familiar game where the Jewish state makes concessions (such as releasing terrorists) for the privilege of talking to an enemy who demonizes Jews, glorifies terrorists and has already rejected three peace offers.