Why is this IKEA different from all other IKEAs?
Thousands of Israelis petition to boycott Swedish retailer IKEA And yet… As I rounded the corner into the home decorations showroom of Israel’s Netanya IKEA, I almost ran my cart into a man struggling...
View ArticleLonging for Peace
Today, while driving into town, I saw two little Arab girls walking to school. Ma’aleh, where I work, is situated on Shivtei Yisrael Street, which is pretty well the dividing line between east and west...
View ArticleLessons Learned from Eight Years at Columbia Hillel
You can learn a lot about time spent in a place by looking in cabinets. Today I walked around my office peering into drawers and other spaces inhabited by papers and folders and tiny gadgets that I...
View ArticleDoes Judaism back critique of Israel?
I am a Zionist. Every day I marvel at Israel’s achievements, I am awed by the soldiers who risk their lives so that I can be here, I am uplifted by a democracy where an Arab judge can sentence the...
View ArticleReturn to Haifa – If not now, then when?
I’m feeling sad that the weather on the East coast prevented me from attending the performance of Return to Haifa at TheaterJ in Washington DC. The Cameri production of the theatrical adaption of...
View ArticleThree thoughts about Egypt
Hack! The ringing phone unpeeled me from the TV screen. I was on the edge of my seat, watching the wonderful inspiring pictures of courageous Egyptian people fighting for their rights. The phone call...
View ArticleThe Oldest Democracy in the Middle East
It looks like Israel’s slogan, “the only democracy in the Middle East,” will need to soon be replaced. Successful in the corridors of Washington and in much of American public opinion, this claim –...
View ArticleRoger Waters and BDS
Dear Mr. Waters, I was deeply disappointed to learn that you have decided to build a wall between yourself and your Israeli fans. We love you here in Israel. Surely, you must know that from the warm...
View ArticleThoughts for Jerusalem Day
It’s a great privilege to live in Jerusalem. Just stepping out of my front door, I immediately confront my identity and destiny as a Jew. My street carries the name of a Mishnaic sage, to the left the...
View ArticleTears for Gilad Shalit and Israel
First appeared in Jewish People, Jewish Texts, Jewish Homeland. Jonathan Boyd is the Executive Director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research Sometimes it is just too hard to hold back the tears....
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