Culture
Here’s what I am not thankful about: The generational change in this country that may have catastrophic results, at least for traditional, moderate Americans such as myself. A few days ago, a poll reported that 30% of Americans, 18-34, get their news from Tik Tok. “News” and “Tik Tok”
Middle East
Two stories came together, reminding me of a third story, and the importance of education. Ignorance is a lack of good information. Stupidity is ignoring good information. Education can cure ignorance, I’m not so sure about stupidity, which can be willful and deliberate. People who believe the 2020 election
9/11
The Talk of the Day Thursday was the breaking story that some 25-year-old Left Coast “influencer” had discovered a tape of Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America” and posted it on Tik Tok, and received thousands of “likes” and positive statements from ignorant sheep viewers, mostly young. This
Israel
I hate Hamas and Hezbollah. I try not to hate all Palestinians, or Arabs and Muslims, which is what “Palestinians” are. In a brilliant stroke of rebranding, terrorist leader Yasir Arafat appropriated “Palestinians” to replace the previously used term of “Arabs.” Prior to that, both peoples living between the river
Israel
By Qanta A. Ahmed A fetal heartbeat flutters and then stills, a bullet lodged in the embryonic heart. The mother survives the shooting and her child’s stillbirth. A body that has been decomposing for almost three weeks lies on the autopsy table, riddled with knife and bullet wounds. Another
Israel
I have seen the Hamas snuff film. It is the 43-minute video compilation of horrors committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 atrocity excursion into southern Israel, resulting in 1,400 deaths murders, including 33 Americans, and some 240 kidnappings. It was screened Thursday evening at the Weitzman National Museum
Israel
Peaceful protests have a long tradition in America, and they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. The hundreds who assembled Thursday evening to chant and protest in the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station were within their rights, until they started blocking commuters from where they wanted to
Israel
This is not a call for war, or a call for gore, it is a call for transparency, so we can see what we are up against. And by “we,” I mean civilized citizens of democracies. There is an adage in story-telling: Don't tell me -- show me.
Israel
If I didn’t know the truth, I might be swayed by the three great lies, and two half truths, of Palestinian supporters. But I do know the truth, which the majority of their supporters — especially on college campuses — don’t know, and in some cases don’t want to
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
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,
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