A version of this piece originally appeared on the author’s blog and was distributed by JTA. Last month, I filled out a request for an absentee ballot for the U.S. presidential election. At the top of the form it had two relevant options — I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I intend…
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First Person
Analysis
‘Jew’ isn’t a slur. So why do so many people avoid saying it?
This story originally ran in the Washington Post. As Jews around the world prepared for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, President Trump wished his…
First Person
How my family sits at the intersection of Israel’s Covid-19 crisis
I have five children, in very different stages of life, scattered across our home country of Israel. From young married down to high school student, with…
History
75 years ago, Holocaust survivors celebrated Sukkot on their own terms
The festival of Sukkot, which begins five days after Yom Kippur, is traditionally referred to as the time of our rejoicing. It is an upbeat, celebratory…
Local Voice
Let RBG’s memory be a blessing — and an inspiration
I learned of the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (z”l) as I was preparing my home for Rosh Hashanah. Like so many others, I called my mom and…
Opinion
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was our superhero. Here’s how we keep going.
This article was first published by the Forward and is reprinted with permission. Devastating blows define us. Loss shapes who we are. While we cannot…
First Person
Even this year, I am excited for my Mizrachi Rosh Hashanah seder
This piece first appeared on Alma. I don’t need to remind you of all the reasons that 2020 has been an incredibly rough year. We could all use a fresh…
First Person
Why in the name of my daughter is S.F. State hosting a terrorist?
Terrorism is a very important subject to me. But, frankly, I didn’t give it a lot of thought until April 9, 1995 when my daughter Alisa was murdered in a…
First Person
My mom downplayed her Indian Jewish heritage. I’m learning to reclaim it.
This article originally appeared on Alma. I’m in 4th grade and we are doing a project in geography class. We have a week to hand in a folder of research…