This year, let us be “a light unto nations” for the first time in modern history. Each year, as the (usually extended) family gathers around the Rosh Hashanah table, a lively chatter fills the air. Yet, often, a very Jewish narrative takes…
Dr. Michael Laitman
To Change the World – Change Man
Selichot (Forgiveness) and the Meaning of Life
Selichot represents the realization that we have been leading our lives toward separation instead of connection When we think of Selichot (asking forgiveness), we typically think of Orthodox people confessing that they neglected to say their meal blessings or that…
Who Are You, People of Israel?
Since humanity is interdependent yet alienated, it expects us to spread the method of connection the world over Two years ago almost to the day, I published an article in The New York Times, entitled, “Who Are You, People of…
Institutionalized Antisemitism at UC Berkrley — Facts and Details
There is good reason for concern for the future of Jews on American campuses. Last week’s column, New course at Berkeley University: How to get rid of Israel – Cancelled, made a lot of noise. I received quite a few emails…
European Jews — Under Siege and Terrified
Now that anti-Semitism has spread throughout the world, we would be wise to rule out the possibility of safe havens. A poll conducted last week by the European Jewish Association and the Rabbinical Center of Europe claims that despite increased…
Between Abbas’ Bombshell and Palestinian Firebombs
The more we move into the High Holy Days, the more they look like their other name: The Terrible Days. To some, it seems as though the escalating chaos in East Jerusalem is orchestrated with the diplomatic campaign of Palestinian…
Merkel and Hollande Discover—the EU Is Dying
To save itself, the EU must act as one. The choice is clear: Everyone wins together, or everyone loses together. Last Friday, the leaders of the 27 countries remaining in the European Union after Brexit convened in Bratislava to discuss…
The Secret to a Happy Year This Yom Kippur
The High Holy Days are a time of joy, as well as a time of reflection. This year, it seems as though there is much more to reflect on than in past years. The past year has been a trying…
New Course at Berkeley University: How to Get Rid of Israel – CANCELLED
The course UC Berkeley intended to offer is only the beginning of the next wave of anti-Semitism that has spread throughout US campuses. This week I learned that the prestigious UC Berkeley intended to offer this year a course on “settler colonialism”…
Peace — A Dream or a Dream Reality?
Peace is not absence of war; it’s a dynamic balance between self-interest and the common good. Everyone thinks that peace is just a word, a fantasy of slightly “unhinged” individuals, or a required platitude of politicians during election campaigns and…
No World Leader Calls the Shots; Only We Decide Our Future
On Wednesday, September 9, the Times of Israel reported that Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that “Israel will not survive the next 25 years.” Just hours later, that same paper posted Israeli Prime Minister’s response to Khamenei’s statement: “‘Tyrant’ Khamenei is wrong, Israel is here…
All You Need to Know about the Jewish High Holidays
The Jewish festivals are more than food and family gatherings. They are both spiritually profound, and more relevant to our lives today than most people realize. The Jewish festivals are a trajectory of the nation’s destiny, a cardiogram of our…