I confess to writing poetry instead of listening to the tour guide. This was the result! … Read More
Personal
Monocausal Reductionism and the Danger of Sloganeering
Reducing complex realities to single causes is always tempting, but perilous. An old Hungarian professor taught me why, and how to avoid it. … Read More
In Praise of the Brave IDF Heroes on the Gaza Border
If you only get news about Israel from CNN you may think that headline must be either satirical or written by a moral monster. Think again, and have a listen. … Read More
New Review from New Friends
Once in a while, if you’re lucky, you get a reminder why you do what you do… … Read More
Holocaust Remembrance Day: What’s Left to Say
Over seventy years after the Holocaust, what’s left to say about it? That’s the question Thane Rosenbaum addresses in a recent article. We take up that question, discuss his answer, and also ask whether the Holocaust is really so different, where it stands in Jewish history, and what does it demand of us? In this week’s Jewish Geography Podcast. … Read More
Passover Playlist for Our Times
Anti-semitic attacks in France got you down? Hamas and Hezbollah on your mind? Have no fear. Here’s a little timeless, [mostly] Jewish, musical wisdom to get you into the holiday spirit! … Read More
Divided Roads
When I was in the tour guiding course we went to Nazareth and visited the White Mosque. It’s a beautiful old mosque, made of white stone, rising above the alleyways of the old city. An elderly man showed us up to … Read More
3 Things You Should Never Say to Yourself
Lots of memes tell you what not to say. Here are some tools for how to listen. … Read More
Modeh Ani, Thanks Upon Awakening
Thank you living and eternal King for returning my soul to me with mercy. Great is your faithfulness. This is my loose translation of the ‘Modeh Ani’ prayer, which is the first words uttered by an observant Jew upon becoming … Read More
No Excuses
On Struggling with Exercise and with Prayer Exercise and Not Making Excuses I recently started an exercise program, thanks to the great, 100% free (no BS) site www.neilarey.com which made it ridiculously easy to get started. I’ve struggled for years … Read More