Before reading a recent opinion article by Englewood-based Rabbi Shmuley Boteach "Homophobia is itself an abomination,"my idea of the rabbi was limited to his friendship with Michael Jackson.  Now, I learned that his brilliant talent for public relations is accompanied by a thoughtful halakhic view, which is appropriately rooted in tradition and in life.   Rabbi Boteach, being honest to his commitment to Jewish law and to his heart, contextualizes homosexuality and homophobia.  He writes: "As an orthodox rabbi who reveres the Bible, I do not deny the biblical prohibition on male same-sex …

The Jewish Standard of New Jersey has been having a hard time making up its mind whether to regret running a wedding announcement of Justin Rosen and Avi Smolen for their Jewish wedding.  On September 24, the newspaper published the seemingly kosher wedding announcement.  But what made this ordinary article extraordinary is, of course, its protagonists: Both Smolen and Rosen are very Jewish-looking men—and I do mean it as a compliment—that chose to marry each other instead of two Jewish girls. Chutzpa. The Standard classified this same-sex engagement under simchas (celebrations), and set off …

When I heard that the Israeli President Shimon Peres was to meet Bill Clinton in a fancy convention in Manhattan during Sukkot, I immediately wanted to join in.  A few phone calls to Jerusalem and emails to Bill Clinton's people and I got myself invited as a journalist.  During the opening speech by our host, Bill Clinton, I realized what the conference was all about: commitments.  The rich and powerful (Bill Gates and President Barack Obama, to name a few) joined forces under the auspices of the Clinton Global Initiative to pledge their commitment for action to advance worthy causes.  I felt…

My first Jewish year in Teaneck just ended last week. In 5569 I moved from Tel Aviv to Teaneck to attend Columbia Journalism School, and at the beginning of 5571, I'm already a Columbia alumnus. 5570 has been a year of transition for me. Moving from Tel Aviv to Teaneck is like making aliya: Teaneck is the most Jewish place I have ever lived in my life.     My Jewish routine now includes a kidush with a challa on Shabbat Eve or yom tov. So I learned quickly that what the Abulafia bakery is to Tel Aviv, Butterflake is to Teaneck.  My friend, Steven Goldstein, on Wednesday morning before the new…