We’re not speaking the same language. When Westerners say “ceasefire,” they imagine the cessation of violence as the beginning of peace and goodwill. In Arabic, the word “hudna” is translated to English as “ceasefire,” but the meaning is very different. Hudna is a temporary pause in fighting, to rest, rearm, and regroup so that fighting … More Ceasefire: that word doesn’t mean what you think it does
Israelis are different from any other nation on earth. It is no wonder we are so misunderstood.How can anyone who has not lived our experiences understand? We love to complain—but we do it for sport. The worse things become, the less we complain. Only an Israeli understands the ghastly understatement: “It wasn’t a simple situation … More For Israelis, bomb shelters provide safety—and make us unlike anyone else
hia missiles don’t differentiate between Sunni and Jew – but shared suffering does not create shared loyalty, goals or ideals.
The subject of Arab Israelis in Israel’s war for survival is a very touchy one most people prefer to pretend isn’t an issue.
But it is. … More Arab Israelis in Israel’s war for survival
What’s it like to be in the shoes of Israelis under missile attack from Iran and Hezbollah? … More You have no idea how long it takes to put on socks
Jew-haters on both the left and the right are accusing Israel of dragging America into this war. President Trump says that if anything, he dragged Israel into the war. I say that if the fact that Iran chants “Death to America,” has tried to assassinate the President of the United States, and has the blood of countless American lives … More My response to Jew-haters on both the left and the right who accuse Israel of dragging America into this war
Just because we aren’t on the floor crying and screaming, don’t imagine this is easy for us. It isn’t After writing about Purim as a guide for Jewish survival, I realized there are things harder to explain — what survival feels like in real time. There are things I don’t want to write about. Like … More Before we win: surviving the war
And now, as I was preparing to publish this article, the first siren went off — not because there are incoming missiles, but because the attack has begun on Iran and we are to be ready for whatever might come next.
Happy Purim. There will be no celebrations now but hopefully, when this is over, there will be. … More From Persia to Iran – the holocaust that wasn’t
Jewish texts are profound. Nothing is random. And yet, I am still surprised by how relevant the ancient texts are, as if they were written for modern-day events. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Ancient texts that remain intact over hundreds and thousands of years are those that remain relevant—those that people in every generation decided … More Hanukah, hostages and heroes: in those days, in this time
“Don’t worry Ma. See, my arm is fine!” He knew his arm wasn’t fine. She knew it too. They both knew there was no way he was staying home. Not after the videos he had seen, not after the emergency message he received, the message all policemen in the area received, the message they thought … More Last one out turns off the darkness
Jews are unique. Even our New Year greeting is different — a harsh reflection of our experiences as a nation apart. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are called the High Holy Days. They are more holy days than holidays: a time for introspection rather than celebration. Jewish tradition teaches that every year God reviews the … More “I hope you don’t die this year.”
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 