http://zeek.forward.com The Forward, an independent, high-profile weekly newspaper, is a fearless and indispensable source of news and opinion on Jewish affairs. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:02:00 EST Newspapers en-us Symphony 2.0 http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117526/why-liberal-jews-should-read-an-orthodox-social-justice-book/ Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz’s new book, Jewish Ethics and Social Justice is a must-read for Orthodox Jews interested in social justice. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of them — yet. But liberal Jews should read it too. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:02:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117526/why-liberal-jews-should-read-an-orthodox-social-justice-book/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117342/what-is-the-jewish-social-justice-agenda/ We must expand what is meant by “Jewish issues” beyond Israel and antisemitism. At a recent conference in Washington DC, dozens of Jewish leaders talked about what that broader agenda should be. Here are some of them. Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:58:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117342/what-is-the-jewish-social-justice-agenda/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117304/toward-a-jewish-housing-initiative/ In the wake of the housing crisis, the Jewish community, while expressing a new commitment to social justice, needs to commit itself to more than advocacy. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117304/toward-a-jewish-housing-initiative/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117492/why-climate-change-is-bad-for-the-jews/ Climate change will be a disaster for Israel: a 4-8% drop in precipitation and increased extreme climate events. But conservatives in the U.S. continue to obstruct any progress on this issue. In this way, Israel’s purported friends in America are damaging its long-term economic and political future Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:24:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117492/why-climate-change-is-bad-for-the-jews/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117450/jewish-education-for-a-time-of-wandering/ If we are not guided by a philosophy of Jewish education—a big picture idea of the aims of education and the best strategies to achieve those aims—much of our day-to-day work is wasted (at best) or counterproductive (at worst). Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:22:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117450/jewish-education-for-a-time-of-wandering/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117170/tzedek-and-chesed-rethinking-the-relationship-between-advocacy-and-service/ Through a retelling of the history of Panim, founder Sid Schwarz offers a new take on how to do social justice work. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:38:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117170/tzedek-and-chesed-rethinking-the-relationship-between-advocacy-and-service/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117452/why-jewish-environmental-education-matters/ When we hear the words “Jewish environmental education,” we often only hear “environmental education” and not “Jewish education.” It’s easy to think of environmental programs as a fun add-on, rather than core, to Jewish learning. That is a mistake. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:45:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117452/why-jewish-environmental-education-matters/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117411/calling-jewish-activists-synagogues-need-you-and-you-need-them/ Chanukah is the holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. But what about the temples in our own backyards – can they be rededicated, to social justice? Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:19:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117411/calling-jewish-activists-synagogues-need-you-and-you-need-them/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117416/gilat-shalit-is-home-and-my-son-is-going-off-to-war/ If you can understand why Gilad’s parents pushed for this swap, you can understand why I don’t want my son to serve in combat. It’s not rational. It’s not about my left wing political opinions or the fact that I am not a native Israeli. It’s because I am a mother. I am simply doing my job. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:35:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117416/gilat-shalit-is-home-and-my-son-is-going-off-to-war/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117397/gold-is-not-g-d-kol-nidre-at-occupy-wall-street/ This sermon was given at Occupy Wall Street on Friday Night, and ‘amplified’ by the human microphone to between 700-1000 people. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:17:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117397/gold-is-not-g-d-kol-nidre-at-occupy-wall-street/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117374/conservative-money-and-jewish-studies-investigating-the-tikvah-fund/ A hundred-million-dollar right-wing Jewish foundation is attempting to change the political face of Jewish studies and the Jewish press. Zachary Braiterman, Associate Professor of Religion at Syracuse University, investigates. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:57:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117374/conservative-money-and-jewish-studies-investigating-the-tikvah-fund/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117226/we-are-not-like-them-itamar-massacre-activates-a-dangerous-israeli-jewish-ethnocentrism/ “Let us not forget who we are dealing with. During a new moon, or when a crow’s dropping hit a howling jackal… the wild beast…sets off to stalk its prey.” Who said this? Not Osama Bin Laden. Not Khadafi. It was Gilad Sharon, speaking about the Palestinian people. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:38:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117226/we-are-not-like-them-itamar-massacre-activates-a-dangerous-israeli-jewish-ethnocentrism/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117200/analyzing-palestinian-ramallah-protests-after-mubaraks-ouster/ A bird’s eye view of Palestinian protests in Ramallah in the wake of Mubarak’s ouster; thanks to Ramallah Reflections which allowed us to reprint this essay. Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:08:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117200/analyzing-palestinian-ramallah-protests-after-mubaraks-ouster/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117183/what-the-palestine-papers-mean/ On January 23, Al Jazeera released the “Palestine Papers,” 1600 internal documents from Israel-Palestine peace negotiations. The documents show that it was Israel that was no partner for peace–and that the US failed to act as an honest broker. Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:38:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117183/what-the-palestine-papers-mean/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117138/queer-jewish-community-remixed-organizing-without-a-critical-mass/ At the intersection of queer and Jewish, how can LGBT Jewish students build a movement to empower themselves? Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117138/queer-jewish-community-remixed-organizing-without-a-critical-mass/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117142/unite-confuse-and-inspire-a-response-to-the-rise-of-racism-in-israel/ Over 53% of Israelis believe the state should encourage Arabs to leave the country. A snapshot of racism in Israel, and a list of concrete steps to stop its rise. Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:03:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117142/unite-confuse-and-inspire-a-response-to-the-rise-of-racism-in-israel/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117100/bowling-in-ramallah/ Does economic growth in Ramallah mean economic peace for Israel/Palestine? Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:56:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117100/bowling-in-ramallah/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117090/three-israels-why-we-cant-talk-about-bds/ Despite Theodor Herzl’s dream, Israel is not simply a state like any other state. There are three Israels: the State of Israel (a “state like any other state”), Israel/Palestine, and the Jewish State. Which state(s) shape our understanding of Israel determines our views of the BDS movement. Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:45:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117090/three-israels-why-we-cant-talk-about-bds/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117088/the-end-of-civil-discourse/ Recently, I read a status update from an intelligent person who asked all of their friends who disagreed on their assessment of Israel as a terrorist state to hit the de-friend button. Is this really what we’ve come to? Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:13:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117088/the-end-of-civil-discourse/ http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117086/which-campaign-to-wage/ Is the new anti-BDS campaign (called the Israel Action Network) really serving Israel’s best interests? Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:08:00 EST http://zeek.forward.com/articles/117086/which-campaign-to-wage/