Posts Tagged: Pini Dunner
Parshat Massei: Every Step Has a Purpose — Even Ones We Think Are Detours
One of the most fascinating figures in medieval history is Marco Polo. Born into a Venetian merchant family, in 1271 he set out with his...
We Don’t Always Need to Be in the Room to Make a Difference
This week, I listened to a riveting episode of The Rest is History, the ever-excellent podcast hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland. This one...
A Modern Lesson From the Torah: Stand Up, Be Proud, and Be Counted
Tucked into the flatlands of Northern California, somewhere between the political corridors of Sacramento and the tech utopia of San Francisco and the Bay Area,...
Responding With Hope After This Week’s Devastating News
The devastating news out of Washington, DC, on Wednesday night was both shocking and heartbreaking. Two young Israeli Embassy staff members -- Yaron Lischinsky and...
In an Era of Con Artists, the Torah Instructs Us to Hold Onto Our Integrity
The year was 1820, and London’s high society was abuzz with the arrival of a dashing new personality. General Gregor MacGregor, a Scottish war hero with a...
Following Abraham’s Lesson, Donald Trump Should Focus on US Unity
The 20th-century Methodist pastor Ralph W. Sockman, best remembered for his weekly presentations on NBC’s National Radio Pulpit for over 40 years, observed that “the test...
On Simchat Torah, We Mourn — But Also Hope
In his 2016 book Essays on Ethics, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote, “A people that can know insecurity and still feel joy is one that can never...
The Sukkah Reminds Us That the Jewish People Will Always Rise Again
If you’ve ever traveled through the countryside in the UK or across Europe, you’ve probably come across the hauntingly beautiful ruins of medieval castles. These...
Yom Kippur Forces Us to Look Within; Will We Do That This Year?
Throughout history, physical stature has often shaped people's perceptions of leadership. The belief that taller individuals are more commanding or "presidential" has long influenced how...
Why the Past Gives Us Hope as We Enter a New Year for Jews and Israel
“No such torment … has ever transpired previously in history. The bizarre tortures and the freakish, brutal methods invented by the depraved, perverted murderers, solely...
Joy and Community Are Essential to Jewish Fulfillment — Even in the Darkest of Times
In his evocative 1964 book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, C.S. Lewis used a series of fictional letters to a friend to explore various aspects...
The Torah Requires Us to Help the Poor and Needy, But Also Take Personal Accountability
“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” This quote from...
Justice for the Hostages Will Only Come When We Demand More of Ourselves and Our Leaders
In the wake of the horrific September 11 attacks in 2001, Queen Elizabeth II sent a condolence message to the families of the 250 British...
The Torah Can Help Simplify Our Choices
The acclaimed Iowa-born travel writer, Bill Bryson, known for his witty observations and upbeat take on life, offers a unique perspective on the modern world’s...
