The television show’s depiction of thwarted hopes and social change still resonates 25 years on The year is 1999. The Berlin Wall has fallen; the twin towers still stand. America’s only war is against drugs. History, if Francis Fukuyama is to be believed, is over, and liberal democracy has triumphed. …
Read More »David Copperfield by Charles Dickens audiobook review – starry spin on a classic
Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, Toby Jones and more imbue the latest Sam Mendes-produced adaptation of the author’s works with wit, charm and magic Following last year’s starry adaptation of Oliver Twist, Audible has pushed the seasonal boat out again with a beguiling version of David Copperfield, executive-produced by Sam …
Read More »Bezalel Smotrich’s apology can be a turning point
With dialogue and good faith, a clear and distinct process can finally emerge for making constitutional law Minister Bezalel Smotrich has in the past made a number of statements that were mistaken and inflammatory. Here at the Times of Israel, I was among those condemning his outburst in response to …
Read More »FEATURED POST When Judy Heumann schooled me about the truth
The mother of disability rights made me, a rabbi, see how traditional Judaism can be dehumanizing, in the guise of pity. About 13 years ago, Judy Heumann, the mother of the disability rights movement, publicly gave me a “speaking to” at a synagogue board meeting. I mean she really let me have it, with …
Read More »Child actor Ben Savage running for Adam Schiff’s seat in Congress
‘Boy Meets World’ star aiming for Los Angeles area district with campaign focusing on good governance, says he wants to restore faith in government JTA — Ben Savage, the Jewish actor best known for the 1990s coming of age series “Boy Meets World,” is running to replace Adam Schiff, the …
Read More »The UN’s ‘unofficial man’
Raphael Lemkin, a stateless Jewish refugee who died penniless, gave mankind’s greatest crime its name. You won’t find him mentioned in the place where he had his greatest achievement…or inscribed on any roll of honor, not even a plaque on the wall. Yet this lonely refugee crusader who was nominated …
Read More »The Levin-Rothman plan 101 (yes, this will be on the test)
Some actual facts for college and university students whose teachers are under attack for teaching actual facts. The Knesset Education Committee recently scheduled a session on “The Stifling of Free Expression in Academia,” in the wake of charges that a lecturer at Ben-Gurion University – and, we may assume (and …
Read More »American Eagle now has a mezuzah at its Times Square flagship
The popular apparel brand’s CEO Jay L. Schottenstein is well-known for his charitable Jewish contributions, including to Chabad, whose teen program engineered the affixing event JTA) New York Jewish Week — American Eagle Outfitters now has a mezuzah on the front door of its flagship Times Square location, courtesy of …
Read More »Racist wording will be edited out of reissued James Bond books
New versions of Ian Fleming’s novels are to feature a disclaimer warning of controversial phrases, while explicitly racist terms will be scrapped Racist language is to be removed and warnings are reportedly to be added to Ian Fleming’s classic James Bond novels ahead of the reissue of the series in …
Read More »Putin: the Restoration of U.S. relations with Russia will help culture
During the presentation of state awards in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that in difficult times there are always people who have a contribution ready to change things for the better. So the head of Russia noted that even now, in times of disagreement between Russia and the …
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