Israel: Democratically Elected Tyranny
The Israeli voter cannot directly influence his elected representative. This is due to the fact that the voter does not know his elected representative personally, but only from a party Knesset list. Knesset members therefore do not feel any obligation towards those who elected them, so they don’t act according to their wishes.
Education: The State’s or the Parents’ Responsibility?
The Ministry of Education determines what the children will learn in school. Beside regular subjects like math and language, this includes belief systems, perspectives on life, democracy, social studies, state and religion and more. Parents have no input on the curriculum or the ideas taught by the school to which they send their children.
The American Stepfather
Israel’s dependence on the United States does not stem from financial need or a need for support in the international arena. Israel can manage alone, but she does’t want to: American aid meets the basic Israeli need for a cultural “father” of ethics and values. The transition from a relationship of protection to one of mutual respect and mutual interests depends on our ability to return to ourselves, to our original culture. In this way, we may conduct our relations with the U.S. on the basis of an alliance between the Jewish state and the “State of Jewish values.”
From Gluttonous Capitalism to Enlightened Capitalism
Separating private household accounts from those of major capitalist institutions could create a situation in which the individual will find himself in the midst of an understanding, supportive community that is also prosperous in its business dealings. Could an interest free bank for private households be the solution for the formation of a new social [...]
Vol. III: Jewish Education, 1-6-11
Jewish Inspiration: My Child, My Responsibility
The youngster is, in actual fact, sentenced to death, the minute his parents come to the elders of the city (the government, the Ministry of Education, the headmaster) and tell them “This, our stubborn and rebellious son does not listen to us.” The child is yours, and if you don’t take responsibility – nobody else will.
Panorama: From Joshua Ben Gamla to the Public School System
The Indians taught hunting and ritual, the Jews taught Bible, the Spartans trained soldiers, and the Athenians educated citizens to love wisdom and knowledge. The history of education from a father privately teaching his son all the way to overcrowded schools and the public school system.
Personal column: being a father – it’s too much for me
Being a father is scary. Being a good father is a nearly impossible task. But the task is mine, and I have no choice but to be brave and be a good father. Yes, against all the odds.
Lot’s Daughters and Cormac McCarthy: Parents being Tested
In the most trying moments, Lot could not withstand the demands of being a parent, and preferred to get drunk. On the other hand, the father character, the hero of the book “The Road,” vies his son optimism and hope.
Directionless in the Israeli Education Ministry
Violence in the schools. Unimpressive scholastic achievement. Loss of identity and vision. The solution: To restore educational responsibility to the parents. A new proposal to save education in Israel.
Vol. I: Jewish Brotherhood
Separating private household accounts from those of major capitalist institutions could create a situation in which the individual will find himself in the midst of an understanding, supportive community that is also prosperous in its business dealings. Could an interest free bank for private households be the solution for the formation of a new social [...]
I walk along the street and the faces moving across wash through me, fill any inner emptiness left in me. So close, yet so far away in the selfsame breath, familiar to the point that it hurts and strange and threatening to the point of fear. A chance meeting with any of these people in [...]
A survey of brotherhood worldwide. Sometimes inspiring, sometimes scary, where does Jewish brotherhood differ from the brotherhood of the Nations of the World?
With interest, the rich get richer regardless of any activity or creativity. What is the connection between interest and brotherhood? Interest is what my money does while I’m comfortably asleep in bed, or strolling on the beach on a Friday. Brotherhood is the strong black coffee that people drink on reserve duty and the cigarette we give [...]
Vol. II: Jewish Liberty, 12-23-10
The American Stepfather
Israel’s dependence on the United States does not stem from financial need or a need for support in the international arena. Israel can manage alone, but she does’t want to: American aid meets the basic Israeli need for a cultural “father” of ethics and values. The transition from a relationship of protection to one of mutual respect and mutual interests depends on our ability to return to ourselves, to our original culture. In this way, we may conduct our relations with the U.S. on the basis of an alliance between the Jewish state and the “State of Jewish values.”
Personal Column: On My Parent’s Sofa
Is Israel an American couch potato? An America-Israel relationship analogy from a man who has a wife and three kids, but still lives in his parents’ house.
Freedom: The Whole Story
What does Jewish freedom mean on a personal scale? Three personal stories of Israelis who decided to exercise their freedom, at significant risk to themselves, their finances, and their families, in order to pursue their dreams.
Jewish Inspiration: Freedom vs. Liberty
What is the difference between liberty and freedom? An eye-opening Dvar Torah anlaysis of the Exodus and its implications for tomorrow’s Jewish State.
