The Price of Free Speech
BY AKIVA LEVINE I was standing in line at an airport in Amsterdam when a man behind me noticed my kippah and said, “Free Palestine.” There was no discussion. Read More
Lessons on Free Speech from the Hebrew Bible
BY ORLY BERENSON Although the concept of free speech did not originate in America, America’s commitment to free expression is what makes this country exceptional. Jews are familiar with… Read More
Upholding the First Amendment While Safeguarding Jewish Communities
BY Gabriella Davis There is no question that unrestricted free speech has placed Jews around the world in great danger, particularly since October 7th. Protests with thousands shouting, “From… Read More
Beyond AB 715: Jewish Dignity and Free Speech
BY SIMCHA ROSENBERG Since the Founding, Americans have strived to build a system powerful enough to protect citizens from abuse without becoming one that itself abuses power. After the… Read More
Judaism Begins with Motherhood
BY KATE LIFSCHITZ Rabbi Meir Soloveichik’s 2005 essay “The Jewish Mother: A Theology” offers a dignified and deeply moving vision of Jewish identity, one that challenged how I… Read More
Judaism Meets the Machine: Dr. Moshe Koppel on AI and the Future of Jewish Life
BY MARC DWECK Of all the essays I encountered during the 2024–2025 Solomon Fellowship, Dr. Moshe Koppel’s “What Artificial Intelligence Has in Store for Judaism”… Read More
The Jewish Pursuit of Knowledge
BY MORIAH SCHRANZ There is a common stereotype that Jewish people are smart, or at least care deeply about their intellectual pursuits and development. While every stereotype is flawed,… Read More
Lessons from Under Devorah’s Date Tree
BY RITA SETTON If one were to choose Judaism’s most prominent or distinguished teacher, Moshe Rabbeinu or Avraham Avinu instantly come to mind—and with good reason. During their lives,… Read More
My Tutors’ Joy and the Joys of Tutoring: The Power of Non-Traditional Learning Methods
BY YARDENA FRANKLIN Since before I can remember, I have been going to shul with my dad, my very first tutor. Listening to the davening and leyning long before… Read More
Learning as Creation: The Power of Jewish Education
BY ZACHARY KROHN It is no secret that education is one of the highest values of Judaism, and one can give many reasons for why that is the case. Read More