Whether in reference to Yonatan, the fallen hero of the raid on Entebbe, or Bibi, the present Prime Minister of Israel, the Netanyahu name has long evoked an image that is both gutsy and altogether original.
April 13, 2012
Round ‘em Like Mantle
Occasion(s) / Pesach, Yizkor
When it comes to counting the Omer, the days between the second night of Pesah and Shavuot, as many of you may know, I count the days according to different professional athletes and their jersey numbers. Two days ago, day 5: Albert Pujols.
April 13, 2012
On the Freedoms and Limits of the Pro-Israel Dialogue
Occasion(s) / Pesach
In retrospect, in deciding to share my thoughts on the freedoms and limitations of the Pro-Israel dialogue, I probably should not have chosen to speak after Adon Olam and before Kiddush.
March 23, 2012
Elementary Forms of Religious Life
Occasion(s) / Va-yikra
2012 marks the one hundred year anniversary of the publication of one the most important volumes in the study of religion – Emile Durkheim’s The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.
March 20, 2012
The Uses and Abuses of History
Occasion(s) / Shabbat HaGadol
When the historian Peter Novick died last month, he bequeathed to the Jewish community a set of questions that will extend well beyond his years on this earth. In my years at the University of Chicago, I never studied formally with Dr.
March 10, 2012
Later May Be Too Late
Occasion(s) / Ki Tissa
This past week, along with over 13,000 other pro-Israel delegates, I attended the AIPAC policy conference. I have been going since my junior year of college when I led a delegation of fellow students.
March 03, 2012
It's Not Just a Menorah
Occasion(s) / T’rumah
When it comes to an appreciation of culture, my tastes tend to be more “Big Ten” than “Ivy League.” I will not knowingly go to a movie with subtitles. I like my food to come in a bun.
February 11, 2012
Giving Room to Grow
Occasion(s) / Yitro
There is one family relationship so prickly, that I can only discuss it openly while my wife and children are away spending the weekend with my father-in-law, namely, the relationship between a man… and his father-in-law – that delicate and raw and charged relationship you have with the man who,
January 14, 2012
Humanity and Hope
Occasion(s) / Sh’mot
Last Saturday night, like the spies sent by Moses, I boarded a plane to scout out the land of Israel. I have been to Israel more times than I can count and I have lived there on and off during my life.
January 07, 2012
It’s Not Just a Bus, It’s Israel
Occasion(s) / Va-y’hi
If you have ever flown El Al to Israel, as I did last week and will do again this evening, then you are familiar with its marketing motto, “It’s not just an airline, it’s Israel.” As the six Cosgroves piled into our seats, I reflected on the motto, “How very true – truer I bet than their marketin