Auschwitz Falling Apart

Ha’aretz reports Auschwitz is crumbling, disappearing, not so slowly, into the earth. Visitors now walk on bits of exposed bone and the infamous exhibits of human hair, shoes, etc., are being destroyed by mildew:
…[Auschwitz director Piotr] Cywinski is acutely aware of the deficiencies of the museum but is constrained by money and the physical limitations [...]

Idealogical Head Of Edah Haredit Passes Away, Group Now Seen As Rudderless

The Jerusalem Post reports on the passing of what it terms the "mythological political leader" of the anti-Zionist Edah Haredit, Rabbi Yosef Scheinberger. To me, the most interesting bit of information is the yichus of Rabbi Scheinberger and therefore of his grandson, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, the haredi street riot leader turned Zaka founder turned – haredi [...]

Another Israeli Leader Falls

Last week, Israel’s president, Moshe Katsav, was indicted on rape and sexual harassment charges. Today, its former Justice Minister, Hiam Ramon, one a prime ministerial hopeful, stands unanimously convicted of "indecent behavior," or, in American terms, sexual harassment. He is expected to appeal the conviction.

Rabbi Steals From Synagogue, Uses Money To Buy Ring For Mistress, Trips To Israel, Private School For His Kids

All this crime! And he isn’t even Orthodox! The local ABC affiliate reports:
A Monmouth County rabbi has admitted stealing $86,000 from a fund meant to help members of his congregation.
Prosecutors say Rabbi Peter Light bought a ring for his mistress, paid for private school for his children and took trips to Israel.
Light headed Congregation Ohev [...]

State Looks To Prosecute Rabbis Who Called For Murder Of Army Commander

We noted two weeks ago that the nut jobs from the new "Sanhedrin" had issued a fatwa against a senior army officer. The State has now decided to open a criminal investigation against these rabbis. Ha’aretz reports:
The State Prosecution on Wednesday decided to open a criminal investigation against a group of rabbis who issued a [...]

36 (Haredi) Virgins

After reading Steve Martin’s 72 Virgins, I wondered what it might be like if haredim had their own suicide bomber theology. It might be something like this:
36 (Haredi) Virgins
    1.    Could you please slow down? I’m not through davening ma’ariv yet.    2.    I’m still very shomer negiah.    3.    My [...]

Haredim And The Holocaust

How do haredim relate to the Holocaust? Ha’aretz reports:
…Professor Menachem Friedman, however, one of the leading experts on ultra-Orthodoxy in Israel, attributes it to Haredi society’s reluctance to confront the most difficult questions arising from the period. Questions like "Where was God in the Holocaust?," and those raising doubts about the rabbis’ performance during those [...]

The Jesus Dynasty

Months ago, I was contacted by Simon & Schuster and asked to accept a review copy of James Tabor’s book, the Jesus Dynasty. I agreed, and intended to write a review. But the Lebanon War and the abuse scandals didn’t leave me time, and Tabor’s book sat partially read on my table.
I met Tabor [...]

Missing Children

[We are] trying to help more than 65 child survivors of Holocaust find information about their past. Please look at the photos and read the profiles of each child.
Perhaps you have a missing piece of information for these child survivors. Perhaps you have  a suggestion for additional research. Click on the pictures or names for [...]

New Edah Journal Online

The new Edah Journal, now published by Yeshiva Chovevei Torah and renamed Meorot, is online now.

Does Teshuva Work For Sex Offenders?

Rabbi Dov Linzer of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah addresses this issue. Rabbi Mark Dratch and Dr. Michelle Freidman offer responses. Download by clicking this link. Source sheet can be downloaded by clicking here.
More Chovevei shiurim here.
[Hat Tip: Ben Max.]

Steve Martin: 72 Virgins

Steve Martin writes about Islam’s 72 virgins in this week’s New Yorker:
Virgin No. 1: Yuck.Virgin No. 2: Ick.Virgin No. 3: Ew.Virgin No. 4: Ow.…Virgin No. 7: Here, I’ll just pull down your zipper. Oh, sorry!…Virgin No. 10: . . . so I see Heath, and he goes, “Like, what are you doing here?,” and I [...]

More On Former President Carter

Neal Sher, the former Justice Department official who recently released damaging evidence on former President Carter’s "ethics," blogs over at PoliticalMavens.com, where he writes more about what many say is our worst ex-President ever.
UPDATE: A commenter is quick to bring up Neal Sher’s past misdeeds. I admidt, I did not remember (perhaps I never knew) [...]

The Nuclear Holocaust To Come?

Yossi Klein Halevi and Michael Oren have written a comprehensive, frightening article on Iran.  In it they note that Yitzhak Rabin’s acceptance of Oslo was meant to remove the inner ring threat to Israel, to neutralize it, so Israel could prepare for and face the threat of a nuclear Iran. The US under President Clinton [...]