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What I learned most from the people who told us their stories is that the Australian Jewish community is in a state of shock but is resilient, going about its day-to-day life in the way Jews have practiced for generations in the face of hatred.

There is an important distinction between education and advocacy. We should insist that Jewish and Israeli voices are not silenced.

As Israel stands on the cusp of an election and the U.S. enacts economic sanctions against Iran after military strikes failed to achieve a definitive victory, a newly released book serves as a must-read to understand the current moment.

If we change our focus, we can see the world differently, and do what Jews do well – make the world better.

While we may never fully know the spiritual outcome of our High Holiday prayers or the impact of our repentance, the tangible power of tzedakah is undeniable. Every dollar contributed leaves an imprint.

When does the Jewish calendar ask us to study human transformation? Rosh Hashanah — what we might call “the beginning of transformation.”

Judaism insists that there is something precious about belonging to a particular people, observing a particular tradition, and living within a particular covenant. But precisely because it does not require every human being to join that covenant, it can make room for difference.

Every new year confronts us with a seminal question: What in our lives is worth repeating, and what needs to change?


We need to conquer new ways for the New Year that will expand and deepen our strategies and skill, accessible pathways for renewed expression of our souls, impervious to the evil surrounding us.

Under SB 1387, California law would state that “ethnicity” is inclusive of Jewish identity.

Sobelman-Stern will share executive responsibility for the organization with Rabbi Noah Farkas, the L.A. Federation’s president and CEO.

Ahead of the High Holy Days, the Journal reached out to rabbis in our community and asked what they will be speaking about from the pulpit this year.

Ironically and tellingly, the biggest obstacle that both Vance and El-Sayed face is their refusal to separate themselves from even more noxious denigrators of the Jewish state and the Jewish people.

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we try to focus on and go deeper into the inner life. This includes making an honest reckoning of where we cheated and failed and where we lived up to our best values.

This thought came to me while I was visiting with my friend Dennis Prager and we discussed him writing our Rosh Hashanah cover story.


The “speaking as a Jew” Jews should not be speaking for anyone—especially not their people. They are not authorized spokespersons. The task was never delegated to them. They would be the last to be chosen.

The art of humility may be the toughest. Who wants to look weak and admit mistakes? We much prefer to win, but it’s not always clear how humility can get us there.