Category Opinion

A heartening message to hear

“I’m writing this while the victims are still being buried at the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. This period, just after any death, is a hard time, and lot of meaningful things have been said in the media already.…

We’ve got a lot of work to do

photo - Apple cellphone showing apps

(photo from Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels) I am not normally someone who is especially active on social media. I am not normally someone who curates current events, even though I consume them like undergrads do coffee – habitually, obsessively,…

GA pitches softballs to Bibi

photo - Israel’s Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, addresses the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, in Tel Aviv Oct. 24

Israel’s Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, addresses the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, in Tel Aviv Oct. 24. (photo by Pat Johnson) The theme of the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Tel…

Recalling the heyday of radio

photo - The writer’s father listening to the radio, circa 1940 _ photo cropped

The writer’s father listening to the radio, circa 1940. (photo from Libby Simon) This black-and-white picture, lined with age, was taken of Papa in about 1940. His attire reflects a time when a vest was commonly worn under a man’s…

Exercise your right to vote

image - electoral reform referendum graphic

(news.gov.bc.ca) British Columbians have been tasked, once again, with voting on whether or not to change our electoral system. Until Nov. 30, we are being asked to choose what voting system we should use for provincial elections, whether to keep…

Torah ’n’ This Old House

images from thisoldhouse.com

(thisoldhouse.com) My kids have developed a fascination with the PBS TV show This Old House. They love watching how old houses are fixed, restored and cared for by these talented workmen. I have always liked this show, too, and, as…

Space for civil discourse

Social media is instrumental in forming and reflecting the prevalent views of our society. One sign of its importance is that leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu communicate mainly through Twitter nowadays. And, while…

We must care for the earth

Some Jewish communities see making eco-friendly choices as the Jewish and socially conscious thing to do. I’ve also participated in Jewish meals and events in which environmental choices were the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. In fact, as they cheerfully…

Reflections on elections

photo - Vancouver and BC flags

(photo by Cynthia Ramsay) Advance voting is underway across British Columbia for municipal elections that culminate Oct. 20. There are many dedicated, informed people with excellent ideas running for office in Vancouver and in communities across British Columbia. This is…

Ends and beginnings

As we come to the end of the High Holy Days, we set ourselves on paths of new beginnings. On Simchat Torah, we mark both a beginning and an end. The cycle of Torah reading ends and then immediately begins…