Editor's Pick ·
Two Jewish Soldiers, Killed in World War I, Finally Get Stars of David on Their Tombstones
Adolph Hanf and David Moser, of blessed memory.
Menachem Wecker
Menachem Wecker, a freelance journalist based in Washington DC, covers art, culture, religion, and education for a variety of publications.
Latest Content
Editor's Pick ·
Christopher Columbus Might Have Had Jewish Ancestry. Or Maybe Not
For anti-Semites, he could now become the new avatar of Jewish settler colonialism.
Editor's Pick ·
Remembering a Unique Jewish Artist
Mark Podwal, in memoriam.
Editor's Pick ·
Rabbis against the Theater
And ancient Judaism’s greatest playwright.
Editor's Pick ·
The Code of Jewish Law Celebrates a Milestone
The Shulhan Arukh, 450 years later.
Editor's Pick ·
Celebrating One of America’s Oldest Synagogues
The long history of Charleston’s Jews.
Editor's Pick ·
A Remarkable Collection of Antique and Modern Torah Pointers Finds a New Home
A hand and a memorial.
Editor's Pick ·
Historic Texts Bear the Centuries-Old Marks of Past Mourners for Jerusalem
Wax stains from fast days gone by.
Editor's Pick ·
When Jews Went to See the Gladiators
They were spectators, but there’s little evidence they were fighters.
Editor's Pick ·
How Art Museums Distort Jewish Culture, and Downplay Anti-Semitism
Catholics fare little better.
Editor's Pick ·
The Jewish Football Coach Who Shook Up Athletics, and Protestant Dominance, at Harvard
Arnold Horween, Jewish sports hero.
Editor's Pick ·
Europe’s Oldest Painting of the “Real” Jerusalem
Centuries have passed, yet the puzzle of the Holy City remains the same.
Editor's Pick ·
A New Exhibit Brings the Samaritan Past and Present to Life
Beyond the parable.
Observation ·
Archie Rand, the Jewish Michelangelo?
By Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Editor's Pick ·
The American Bat Mitzvah Celebrates Its Hundredth Birthday
For post-war rabbis, it was a tool for revitalization.
Observation ·
Its Name Is Not Asher Lev
By Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Editor's Pick ·
A Norwegian Jewish Community Returns to Life, Despite Anti-Semitism
Rosh Hashanah in Bergen.
Editor's Pick ·
In a New Exhibit, the Jewish Museum Avoids the Word Jew
Louise Bourgeois, artist without context.
Editor's Pick ·
How Mahjong Helped Jews Become Americans
From Shanghai to the Borscht Belt.
Editor's Pick ·
How a Hasidic Jew Came to Write for a Popular Indian Children’s Cartoon
Dov Ber Naiditch’s religious and artistic journey.
Observation ·
Show-and-Tell for the World’s Most Interesting Judaica Collectors
By Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Observation ·
The Patronizing Censoring of Philip Guston
By Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Editor's Pick ·
The Anti-Jewish Past of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Favorite Bible Story
Driving the moneychangers from the Temple.
Editor's Pick ·
Salvador Dalí’s Western Wall
“With your unshakeable faith you pray for the glory of your ancestors and for the triumph of truth."
Editor's Pick ·
The Pandemic Might Spell the End for Some Synagogues, but It Is Helping Others to Revive
Reform Jews report feeling more connected to their synagogues than ever.
Editor's Pick ·
Has the Pandemic Led to Fewer Ritual Circumcisions?
Or has it made them more common?
Editor's Pick ·
The Museum of the Bible Is Winning Over Its Biggest Critics
A look at the Washington Pentateuch.
Observation ·
The Missing Miracles of Marc Klionsky
By Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Observation ·
Podcast: Menachem Wecker Fleshes Out His Ideas on Yoga and Idolatry
By Tikvah Podcast at Mosaic, Menachem WeckerCommitted to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Response ·
Idol Worship Isn’t a Relic of the Past
By Menachem WeckerFollow your critic as you would someone with a treasure map, goes the advice attributed to Buddha in the Dhammapada. Or, as Proverbs 10:17 puts it: “He errs who ignores reproof.” With this in mind,...
