Jill Stein: Jew for President

By Brian Lasman December 13, 2012

Dr. Jill Stein, the Green Party’s 2012 presidential nominee, was the one of the few Jewish candidates to ever run for President. Stein, a former physician, has been involved in politics since 1998 and has consistently been a loud voice in favor of social reform. Her 2012 campaign focused on issues including environmental sustainability and the increasing cost…

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New Beginnings: Jewish Votes and Values

By Stacey R. Hamman October 25, 2012

Jerusalem, ISRAEL — The High Holy Days have now come and gone, and the Torah cycle has begun afresh. Rolling open our Torahs to Genesis has brought the religious Jewish world into a reflection of all things new: A new year, a new school season, a new expression of our best intentions. Those of us…

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A Man Called Upendra Chivukula Goes to The JCC

By David A.M. Wilensky October 23, 2012

Sometimes contemporary American is terrifying. And sometimes it’s wonderful. I’ve just discovered that a man called Upendra Chivukula, born in Nellore, India, is running for the U.S. House of Representative in the New Jersey 7th Congressional District. On the home page of his website, one of the images in the rotating banner is this: You’ll…

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Tonight’s Foreign Policy Debate

By Joshua Lapidus October 22, 2012

Are y’all as excited for the Presidential Foreign Policy debate as I am? Probably not – but prepare yourselves.  If I can’t get you fired up, the FP Debate Bingo/Drinking Game at the bottom of this post might. I’m excited because a few weeks ago this campaign was over. Romney made multiple foreign policy gaffes,…

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There Is No College Application Season in Gaza

By Editorial Board October 18, 2012

For American high school seniors, October means one thing: College applications are right around the corner. It’s almost so obvious it doesn’t need saying, but in the Gaza Strip, there is no season when the minds of a generation automatically turn toward college applications. Here in America, tis the season for prospective students to roll…

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Shots Shots Shots Shots… Everybody!

By H. B. Rubin October 16, 2012

Who could have predicted that LMFAO’s 2009 Top Forty Hit would actually later double as the soundtrack for our 2012 presidential debate season? Such keen cultural insight, such profound political understanding. Debate drinking games are all the rage right now. Facebook statuses and Twitter references are aflood. To give a brief historical overview of the…

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“I’ll Have My Jews on You So Fast You’ll Think You’re an Asian Girl”

By David A.M. Wilensky October 12, 2012

There was an important moment in television last night. Obviously, I’m not talking about the Vice Presidential Debate. Take a moment. Think about it. It’ll come to you. Yes, of course, I’m referring to the latest episode of “30 Rock.” (Still my favorite comedy. Yes, I know I’m alone on that.) And yes, I’m saying it…

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Escape America if Your Candidate Loses

By Simi Lichtman October 11, 2012

  “If this country votes for [insert name of whichever candidate you find more repulsive here], I’m moving to Israel!” Well, if you want to make good on that promise, all you have to do is buy yourself a ticket. But if you’re willing to be less extreme– say, take a vacation to the Bahamas…

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Wop… Mitt Romney Style

By H. B. Rubin October 3, 2012

Heyyyy wealthy ladies! That’s right. K-pop and American politics have finally mated. The result? Mitt Romney Style. As the Gagnam Style parody videos continue their hailstorm through the interwebs, a political one of note has begun to make its rounds. Created by the often hit or miss humor site, College Humor, it has the sophisticated…

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Iran and My Dog Chester

By Joshua Lapidus October 3, 2012

I just got a two-year old Beagle/Dachshund, Chester. He’s as smart as a dog could be – but he started barking ferociously at me the other day when I wouldn’t let him have a bite of my mint-chocolate CLIF Bar.  All he is thinking is: You have food, I want food. You don’t need food. I…

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The Student’s Choice: Vote and Win, or Don’t and Lose

By Joshua Lapidus September 24, 2012

Fact: The Democrats’ chances of winning in November if the youth – 18-29-year-olds – don’t turn out in droves are significantly diminished. The question on everyone’s minds until Clinton’s speech the Wednesday of the convention – Who is going to motivate the whippersnappers? Can anyone motivate us? President Obama certainly hasn’t been able to so…

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$50,000 a Plate? Romney’s Israel Fundraiser Too Steep for Me

By Joshua Lapidus July 29, 2012

Mitt Romney, presumptive Republican nominee for President, is in Israel now to hold high-level meetings with his “friend,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to host a fundraiser for high-rollers. I thought about going myself, but $50,000 a plate was a tad too steep for my taste. (Of course, I could also get a few…

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‘The Dictator’ speaks; Romney & the facts; Brooklyn College is Kosher; and more [Required Reading]

By pkessler May 16, 2012

‘The Dictator’ talks Obama, Arab Spring, and more [Forward] Sacha Baron Cohen’s alter egos are famous for making a splash. And his latest project, a satire loosely based on the of the rule of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, is no exception. Forward Editor Dan Friedman has The Dictator’s take on everything from the Arab Spring to…

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Obama’s Support of Gay Marriage; and more [Required Reading]

By pkessler May 10, 2012

Obama Supports Gay Marriage [ABC News] The president came out in favor of same sex marriage yesterday, declaring in an interview with ABC News that he believes same-sex couples should be able to be married. Obama’s announcement, after years of equivocation, comes on the heels of the passage of a constitutional amendment in North Carolina…

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Frank v. Kristol: Two smart Jews debate the election

By Gabriel T. Erbs May 7, 2012

Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol said this is not the first time he’s been invited to defended GOP positions in front of Jewish audiences. “Not a pretty sight,” he said. It made sense that, as Kristol debated Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) in front of the 2012 American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum crowd, his positions on…

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