Middle East
By Rabbi Jill Maderer “How?” — or Eicha? when translated into Hebrew — begins the anguished text of the Book of Lamentations. Chanted while seated on the floor, in the dark, Eicha asks the questions for which there are no answers. Rabbi Jill Maderer, senior rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, North Broad
Journalism
“Don’t pinch yourself. You’re not dreaming. “This Phillies team is that good. They lead an overmatched Diamondbacks team, 2-0, and they’re two wins away from a second straight pennant. They match up well against both the Rangers and Astros. Dream big.” — Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, 10/19/
Israel
About a week ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an editorial cartoon that I found highly distasteful, but I said nothing because I know what editorial cartoons are. They are the opinion of the cartoonist, and it might be an opinion I disagree with. I write things that others disagree with,
Elections
Tuesday, November 7th will be the most important election of your life. Naaah. It won’t, and don’t you get tired of hearing that every damn year? I sure do. This 11/7 is mostly a local election for Philadelphians, and the outcome is unlikely to change your life
Animals
I can’t believe it. I’ve had my dog for almost seven years and I haven’t written a column about him. I had written several about my last dog, and she actually wrote a column for the Daily News one day. Had her picture logo, too. (She wasn’
Journalism
I have been an American journalist for 64 years. I am Jewish by birth, and proud of my heritage, but I never wanted to be known as a “Jewish journalist.” Once I became a columnist at the Philadelphia Daily News, and was free to choose my subjects, I avoided writing
Israel
Truth is the first casualty in war, they say. They also talk about the fog of war. Both cliches are true, but people who are paid to disseminate information are supposed to exercise caution. There is an adage in journalism that goes like this: “Get it first, but first get
Israel
The last time I was in Gaza, it was unpleasant. It was 1979, and I was in Israel on vacation, two years after I covered Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem. A moshav in Israel (Photo: Amusing Planet) Gaza was then under the Israeli occupation — it is
Politics
I’ve got a new recipe for you, although not for your oven. It’s called Chicken Cherelle, and it’s for your political pot. Cherelle Parker can’t hear calls for more debates. (Photo: CBS News) The dish is named for Cherelle Parker, the entitled and privileged Democratic candidate
Israel
At first glance at these polling numbers, my knee-jerk response is that it proves the younger you are, the dumber you are. That may come from me being in the 65+ group, so let me take a step back and be kind. Instead of dumb, let’s say the younger
Jim Kenney
In a previous post, I reported that Mayor Jiim Kenney made no statement about the atrocious attack on Israel by Hamas. My search turned up no statement, but I was wrong. He did tweet this statement on Oct. 9. I regret the error and I apologize. I have deleted the
Israel
This Gallup poll absolutely disgusts me, it is part of the reason I am a disloyal Democrat, and it reflects misplaced sympathies based on an ignorance of the history of Israel and the Middle East. Asked in March about which side Democrats side with, 38% were with Israel, 49% with