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Jun 13, 2018, 8:46 AM

The Supreme Court’s Half Baked Decision: An Update on the Wedding Baker Case

Well, it's June -- the month that the United States Supreme Court customarily issues its decisions in the highest profile cases of its term. True to form, the Court last week issued its decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado...

Jun 1, 2018, 11:17 PM

Progressives and the Lure of Finland: A Word of Caution

Right-wing pundits and pseudo-journalists often bemoan what they see as the overarching power of the State and its ever-growing tendency to take over our lives. I seldom take these prognostications of doom seriously. I fail to see the looming...

May 2, 2018, 9:59 AM

Jewish Unity and the “Jewish Nobel”: Thoughts on the Genesis Prize Controversy

It aspires to be the "Jewish Nobel," but few people have heard of it. The Genesis Prize, a one million dollar annual prize established in 2014, by a handful of Jewish oligarchs from the former Soviet Union, is awarded, according to...

Apr 17, 2018, 7:25 AM

A time to celebrate: A pre-Yom Ha’atzmaut reflection

This isn't exactly breaking news, but Jews tend to do a lot of kvetching. We are experts in finding a dark cloud for every silver lining. Over the course of centuries, after all, we've had a lot of practice. We haven't been paranoid; they...

Mar 28, 2018, 2:10 AM

“Pour out Your wrath”: A Pre-Pesach Reflection

The Seder meal is over. We eat the afikoman, recite birkat hamazon (grace after meals) and drink the third cup of wine. We then pour the fourth cup and prepare to recite the rest of Hallel (the first two chapters...

Feb 27, 2018, 7:33 AM

Paradigm of Exile: A Pre-Purim Thought

The Megillah (the Biblical book of Esther) at first glance appears to be a straightforward account of the events that led up to Haman's death and the ensuing victory of the Jews over their enemies. If we look at it more...

Feb 18, 2018, 9:14 AM

Religious Tests and Misunderstandings: A Cause for Concern

I hesitated before writing this post. It defends a religious perspective that I find distasteful and will draw criticism from many whom I usually consider allies. No matter how balanced I try to be, no matter how careful my choice of words,...

Feb 2, 2018, 4:54 PM

The Perils of Xenophobia: Jewish Thoughts on the Immigration Debate

America is a nation of immigrants. Sure, that's a cliché -- but it's also the truth. Except for Native Americans (who constitute less than two percent of the population), every American is descended from someone who came from somewhere...

Jan 1, 2018, 8:05 AM

‘If I forget you, O Jerusalem’: Thoughts on a Long Overdue Step

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither, let my tongue stick to my palate if I cease to think of you, if I do not keep Jerusalem in memory even at my happiest hour." (Psalms...

Dec 6, 2017, 7:42 AM

The baker and the cause of freedom: same sex marriage revisited

Anticipating the upcoming argument before the Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which took place this past week, the New York Times editorial page recently weighed in, calling on the Court to rule against the baker...

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About Me

Douglas Aronin is a retired attorney living in Forest Hills, Queens, who is continuing his lifelong involvement in the Jewish community. His writings have appeared in a wide range of print and online forums.