Rabbi Arthur Weiner

  Americans are angry. We see evidence of it all the time on TV, in the news, even the videos that pop up on our phones and tablets. ·         Violent interactions and behavior between passengers and airline staff have been a staple of the nightly news. ·         Recent reports from right here in New Jersey that have documented an increase in violent attacks by students upon each other as well as teachers and administrators. ·         Explosions of anger at government officials, owners of businesses and restaurants, and even at family members, neighbors and friends over issues regarding COVID-19 protocols and their attendant restrictions on our freedom of movement. Someone recently shared with me an angry exchange they had with a member of their own family. In response to a text inquiring about their welfare after they were diagnosed with COVID, the responder, normal...

  There must be something wrong with me. I often feel like that when I have thoughts about a particular matter or subject that fly in the face of what just about everybody else I know and respect thinks. Now as a Rabbi, I am no less entitled to my thoughts or feelings, even the farfetched and crazy ones, than any of you. It is my responsibility, however, to make sure that somehow these ideas and thoughts aren't presented in such a manner as to convey the idea that my views are actually synonymous with what Judaism actually teaches. I've seen Rabbi's play that game all my life and it is as wrong as it is irresponsible. But there is one crazy idea that I've let slip on more than a few occasions over the years. It has to do with travel, especially foreign travel. Or more specifically, travel to places where they hate Jews. I'm not talking about where they hated us 500 years ago. I'm talking about right here and now. Last month, Israel dealt with sev...

  Last Sunday night, the annual Miss Universe pageant was held in Eilat, Israel. Now ordinarily, beauty pageants don't interest me. After all, why would I waste time watching young, leggy, thin-waisted women pontificating about world issues when I could be watching Sunday Night Football, filled with young, well-built, muscular men with a penchant for ignoring COVID protocols. As far as these types of events go, as they say, I only read the articles! Now, as I said, the Miss Universe pageant isn't my thing. (And let's face it, if it was, would I reveal that in this rather public forum?) But this year, I was interested as Israel has never hosted this event before, and that was guaranteed to draw attention, scrutiny, and controversy. And what a spectacle it was. The locations in Israel were magnificent. Eighty young women representing countries throughout the world gushed about how wonderful Israel was through their perfectly glossed lips and magnificent teeth. Hundred...

  It was perhaps fitting that Senator Bob Dole, longtime leader of the Senate, passed away last Sunday, right before the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Whether you liked his politics or not, I think we can all agree that he was among the greatest of the greatest generation. His many contributions to American political life helped shape the post-World War ll era and will continue to exert influence for generations to come. Senator Bob Dole had a mixed record on issues and policies near and dear to most Jewish hearts. A full analysis of his relationship with the Jewish community would be the subject of a fascinating article which has yet to be written. I have found many articles and statements that attest to his friendship and respect for Jews and Judaism, as well as others that seem to betray a sense of unease, if not resentment, at the disproportionate influence of Jews in political life. I'll leave it to future historians to make the final determination. B...