Rabbi Arthur Weiner

The news from Israel these days is terrible. Many pro-Israel Americans are justifiably concerned about the new government about to be announced by incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which includes some of the most vile characters ever elected to office in Israel, including Avi Maoz, who is known for anti-LGBT views and political extremists Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose strident opposition to non-Orthodox Judaism and contempt for Arab-Israelis should frighten all who care about Israel’s democratic and Jewish character.   Violence in the West bank, reflecting the weakness of the Palestinian Authority and the corruption of its leader Mahmood Abbas has led to a dramatic uptick in terrorist incidents and deaths among both Jews and Palestinians.   Israel’s shadow war with Iran in Syria, and its tense relationship with Moscow also complicate matters, to say the least.   The situation in Israel is difficult indeed, and remains an ongoing concern.   ...

On October 3, 1789, President George Washington made a special proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the government of the United States of America.   As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I want to share with you the special prayer recited at Congregation Shearith Israel (also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue) in New York City on November 26, 1789 on the occasion of the very first Thanksgiving Day. Shearith Israel is the oldest synagogue in North America. Founded in 1654, it was the only synagogue in New York City from 1654 until 1825. May he that dispenseth salvation unto kings, and dominion unto princes; whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom … Bless, preserve, guard, assist, and supremely exalt to the highest degree, the President and Vice-President of the Union, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America; the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and People of this State represented in Senate...

Rabbi, what do I do? I’ve been asked this question many times in my career but in no area of life as frequently as when a loved one passes away. Now in most situations, especially when the death is not the result of a tragic accident, the mechanics and the process are not particularly difficult. Painful, sad, to be sure – but not difficult. Generally, a phone call to the funeral director and a phone call to me and you’re good to go. Unless, of course, you’re not sure which funeral director to use in which case you call me first and then a funeral director. And then see step number 1 above. But what really throws a wrench into things, and not in a good way, is when one important detail has not been considered in advance: where will the burial take place? For generations, the week before this week’s Torah reading of Chayei Sara is the time when Rabbis and many of you get fundraising letters and appeals from Hebrew Free Burial associations, Chevra Kadishas (burial societies) , and ...

Taylor Swift is having a great month. Since bursting on the music scene 16 years ago, she has sold hundreds of millions of records, won dozens of the music industry’s most coveted awards, and is one of pop music’s most successful stars.   And if that is not enough, her new album Midnights made history this month as it claimed every slot in the top 10 US singles charts and 13 of the top 15.   That is impressive. If that is not enough, she is also a role model and a positive influence upon millions of people, especially young women, throughout the world. She has leveraged her fame and fortune to promote worthy causes and is counted among the top 10 biggest celebrity philanthropists. A star of such influence using her fame for good is a welcome relief from so many other celebrities who regularly use their stardom and power to spread falsehood, lies, and hatred.   Have we not been talking about the horrible statements uttered by Kanye West and Kyrie Irving and the vi...

By now, I am sure that everyone knows a great deal about the vicious assault on Paul Pelosi, husband of the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We have learned much over the past several days.   We know the extent of the terrible injuries Mr. Pelosi suffered, as well as his tremendous courage as he came face to face with the intruder whose ultimate aim was to maim Ms. Pelosi, the second in line to the presidency. We also learned of the extremist political views espoused by the attacker, and the underground where such beliefs are promoted, and encouraged.   We are outraged, as we should be. We must not pretend that this was a unique act of politically motivated violence amidst a culture that abhors such behavior.   We don’t have to go back too far in American history to find similar crimes.   Just think about all politically motivated violence that has been has been reported in just the past several months. Following the FBI raid on former President Donald Trump’s resid...