“Why do you Christians have an interest in this old synagogue?” Jewish visitors often ask dramatically. They sense excitement as we present our 2000-year-old ruins but perhaps sometimes, they lack awareness of important contexts documented by the earliest Christian writings. At times, while presenting remarkable facts about our synagogue, I ask Jewish visitors if [...]
Crossing the United States is fascinating, whether by air, auto, water, or train, as I did it this time. I was traveling to my cousin David’s wedding in Ventura, California, and I decided to take the scenic route. It was a different experience. No need to pack and unpack. The food was good, and the [...]
Last Thursday, I was privileged to stand with more than 70 fellow graduates on the campus of the Jewish Theological Seminary, which this year celebrated its 130th commencement ceremony. Wolf Blitzer, the CNN anchor, delivered the commencement address, which offered inspiring personal stories about his Jewish upbringing. He also shared his observation regarding the surge [...]
We had a wonderful Seder at the synagogue with about 30 people — young and old, men and women, members and guests, children, all colors. Our B’nei Mitzvah, Julian Graf and Ayla Eisenberg, were chasing the afikomen under the watchful eye of Julian’s older sister, Savana. A festive Seder. Yet a bittersweet Seder this year [...]
Every time I read the name Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, I behold the embodiment of the sin of war. Sin and war are also the two words that make up his name. Like Haman in ancient Persia, who plotted to annihilate a nation, Hamas today holds the same agenda, only by a different [...]
