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The Jewish Thinker

It cuts both ways: A Jew argues for child rights over religious circumcision

Censuring circumcision in Europe is about child protection, not anti-Semitism.

By Dr. Rebecca Steinfeld / Jewish World blogger | Nov 26, 2013 | 12:45 PM

Illustration: Newborn babies in materinity hospital.

Europe's shudder at circumcision
By James McDonald | 40
Israeli woman fined $140 a day for refusing to circumcise son
By Netta Ahituv | 6
Norwegian official: Jews, Muslims circumcise out of ignorance
By JTA | 20
Council of Jews in Germany to honor brit milah-defending pastor
By JTA | 2
Motion to ban non-medical circumcision introduced in Sweden
By JTA | 1
In France, 5,000 sign petition defending circumcision
By JTA | 9

Israeli rapper Subliminal performing in Kiryat Ata, April 28, 2009.

For the love of Israel, eradicate Subliminal hate

The rapper’s call to burn Palestinian prisoners in response to the murder of an Israeli soldier stripped him of all rights he once had to be a Jewish ambassador.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Nov 21, 2013 | 02:10 PM | 5

Two Thanksgivukkah posters celebrating Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.

Thanksgivukkah gifts: What to buy for the kosher turkey that has everything

A historic event calls for a historic approach to gift-giving.

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | Nov 18, 2013 | 08:49 PM

The $98k Craigslist cash stash: Rare acts of kindness that go a long way

Finally, something optimistic in the news.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Nov 12, 2013 | 10:05 PM

The Israel Day Parade makes its way up New York's Fifth Ave., Sunday June 2, 2013

'Loyalty' poll misleadingly dichotomizes U.S. Jews

In an attempt to divide the loyal from the disloyal, a recent poll failed to acknowledge the legitimacy of Jewish Americans' struggle with Israeli policies.

By Benjy Cannon / Jewish World blogger | Nov 11, 2013 | 11:55 PM

Where is the Maimonides of our age?

Those involved in the debate on Open Orthodoxy need to adopt a philosophical eye.

By Dr. Samuel Lebens / Jewish World blogger | Nov 10, 2013 | 01:26 PM | 6

Rabbi Eyal Riess, left, poses with Paula Abdul at the Mikedem Gallery during her Bat Mitzvah

Paula Abdul’s missed opportunity

By becoming Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall, Abdul could have shown women worldwide the potential for pluralism at Judaism’s holiest site.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Nov 6, 2013 | 05:52 PM | 2

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attends at a cornerstone ceremony for the Magen David Adom

Old, white, mega-rich men awarding each other prizes

If it wasn’t bad enough that the 'Jewish Nobel’ was awarded to a multi-billionaire, the selection process was conducted behind closed doors, shutting out the very people the award was intended to inspire.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Oct 28, 2013 | 10:57 AM

The Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center (DCJCC)

On Israeli-themed plays and blandness

Art that encourages political debate should not be perceived as a threat.

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | Oct 25, 2013 | 03:37 AM

A couple undergoes a civil wedding in Cyprus, for the bride is not Jewish and would need to convert

Keep the Israeli government out of Jewish conversions

It's a step in the right direction, but recent government efforts to reform Israel's conversion policies show the state still doesn't get it.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Oct 23, 2013 | 06:04 PM | 3

Why Orthodox rabbis shouldn’t boycott Limmud

Limmud simply isn't what you think it is.

By Dr. Samuel Lebens / Jewish World blogger | Oct 22, 2013 | 05:17 PM

Illustration: A view of gates to an exercise yard for inmates at a prison.

I found the key to Judaism in a prison cell

How should we engage secular Jews? Through culture, not religion.

By Benjy Cannon / Jewish World blogger | Oct 22, 2013 | 02:38 AM | 2

Heaven Hill Distilleries bourbon, Whisky Jewbilee

Forced to drink alone at the Whisky Jewbilee

It was the perfect combination of cholent, cigars and bourbon, but the Whisky Jewbilee highlighted a missed opportunity.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Oct 20, 2013 | 03:52 PM

Jewish World News

Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winning author Elie Wiesel, December 10, 2009.

Peres awards Elie Wiesel with Israel's highest civilian honor

By JTA | 05:40 PM

Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center

Campaign sparks probe into four alleged Nazi war criminals in Germany

By JTA | 05:29 PM

Judge orders Haredi cult return to Quebec for child protection hearing

By JTA | 05:15 PM

Rabbis' Round Table

Not ironic, but natural: The meanings of Jewish holidays are ever evolving

By Rabbi Eliyahu Fink | 10:37 PM

What is the proper Jewish response to Thanksgiving?

By Rabbi Jonah Geffen | 08:35 PM | 3

Is there a Jewish Gettysburg Address?

By Rabbi Micah Peltz / Jewish World blogger | 11:52 AM | 6

Kosher cuisine

Sick of traditional fried Hanukkah sufganiyot? Try baked homemade cronuts instead

By Vered Guttman | 10:22 AM

Get your Thanksgivukkah sweet on

By Vered Guttman | 09:50 AM

Israeli and Palestinian celebrity chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi cook up a storm

By Vered Guttman | 11:18 AM | 2