While on a visit to Israel this week I noticed a billboard advertisement in Tel Aviv for a Chevrolet Mini SUV and the price tag was 211,000 Shekels that $58,800 approximately double the price you would pay for the same car in the USA. One would think that such a…
The Jewish outreach absurdity
Instead of competing against each other, Jewish outreach groups should join forces to battle assimilation There has been a real transformation of the Orthodox Jewish landscape recently, but until now I have been only vaguely aware of it. Of course I knew that there are many different outreach organizations, all…
The Biblical Guide to Arrogance
Judaic sources do not attribute Moses’ stunning rise to power to his intellect or to his amazing oratory. In fact, Moses had impaired speech. He may have been an amazing strategist and tactician, but these are not seen as his most praiseworthy attributes. According to the Jewish tradition, his greatest…
Should US Jews back pro-Israel presidential candidate?
Experience has shown that Israel will continue on path of self-destruction irrespective of whether US president is pro-Israel or not As the United States presidential primary season heats up, I am often asked whether Jews have the obligation to work to get a pro-Israel candidate elected. Not necessarily, I find…
The Pursuit of Happiness
We are constantly perusing it but find it difficult to find. I am talking about happiness of course. As a society happiness is a much sought after commodity. We go to great length to ensure happiness. The divorce rate in this country and the amount of children brought up by…
The Worrisome Surge of Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee The 2008 United States Presidential race has become interesting recently especially in the Republican Party. Mike Huckabee a former Arkansas Governor and Baptist preacher has, in the space of a month, gone from being 18 points behind the frontrunner Rudy Giuliani to tie with him in national polls….
Show Me the Gratitude
There was a time when children saw it as their responsibility to look after their ageing parents. Today unfortunately we live in a very fast-paced world and if one wants to get ahead one must put in those billable hours. Often this leaves little time to dedicate to those around…
Should Jews Celebrate Xmas in a Secular Manner?
My grandparents moved to the UK from mainland Europe in the 1930s. Upon setting up home they made a conscious decision that their children should be British first – being Jewish came second. Thus, my mother and her siblings were brought up celebrating Xmas albeit without any religious significance. I…
Red Cross Chief Should Have Learned Biblical from Joseph
Mark W. Everson had led the Red Cross for just six months. This week the American Red Cross dismissed its president and chief executive, Mark W. Everson, citing his “personal relationship with a subordinate employee.” He had been in office for only six months. This has caused much discussion about…
The Secret of Successful Prayer
A man came to the rabbi and said, “Rabbi I have decided to become an atheist.” “Why?’ asked the rabbi. “Because I prayed so hard and long for God to help me buy my dream home and I still have not been able to do so. That’s proof that there…