In This Moment: A Rabbi's Notebook

In This Moment: A Rabbi's Notebook

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Harvard's "Shot Heard Round the World"
After an antisemitic attack in Pennsylvania nearly triggered martial law, Harvard fires the shot that could save democracy and now finds itself as the…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
17
"No Kings" misses the point. Trump doesn't think he's king - he thinks he's God.
On June 14, we should call them "No Kings - and No Messiah" rallies. For Trump is not a messiah. He is the worst form of idolator.
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
37
Trump's "defense" of Jews on campus is really a protection racket, aimed at destroying the academic integrity Jews hold most sacred
Favored treatment is always temporary and, for Jews, it always comes at a steep cost. And now, with the attack on Brown, Trump's use of Jews as tools…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
16
The MAGA obsession with the R-word used to be a way to “own the libs.” Now it’s much more dangerous.
Cruelty is not the point. Removal is. Eugenics is. Which is why this is much more serious than simply a chance to trigger the libs. And that's why it…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
23
Can an executive order condemning antisemitism ever be a bad thing? Yes, when its purpose is not to defend, but to divide.
It’s bad enough to face hatred. But it's worse to be both hated and isolated. Misery, after all, loves company, so let's combat antisemitism by…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
34
Pope Leo, the man for the moment, was chosen to inspire fellow Americans to stand up to unprecedented evil.
The new pope may be woke on immigration, but what’s really driving MAGA crazy right now is that Trump’s suddenly become the world’s second most powerful…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
18
Thanks for asking, Donald. Here are 52 reasons why three quarters of American Jews won't vote for you.
It’s not out of habit that Jews vote this way, nor is it knee-jerk wokeness. It’s because of the Jewish values embedded deep within our tradition. And…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
What does it mean when the man killed in one of the worst antisemitic attacks in US history…was Christian?
He worked for the Israeli embassy, where he “identified as Jewish,” but also was an active member of a Messianic congregation. Should that matter?
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
36
What June 14 will mean for America, as the National Mall becomes Red Square
Desecration, disgrace and despondency will weigh on us, but also trigger a national survival instinct. Not since Antiochus brought a pig to Jerusalem…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
11
Thank you, Donald! You've quelled all the animosity toward Jews at campus rallies. Because it’s now all directed against you!
A "comprehensive national civic uprising" requires dropping grudges and forming new alliances. Protests opposing the Trump coup, including on campus…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
8
Thank you, Donald. You reminded me how my grandmother escaped TO Alcatraz - and was welcomed in America.
Plus, you've helped to highlight the fact that other groups, paricularly Asians, were treated terribly at that immigration gateway. But even Alcatraz…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
13
Bill Moyers' death, my recovery and why setting back a nuclear Iran must not be allowed to set back democracy here.
Virulence requires vigilance, as we are engaged in both a marathon AND a sprint. Introducing the Hammerman Doctrine: Never give Trump credit, even when…
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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
11
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