Between The Lines
Between The Lines
Deciphering the American Jewish experience.
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Between The Lines — in part a continuation of a column of the same name I’ve been writing for many years, most recently as editor and publisher of The Jewish Week of New York.
This newsletter is also a fresh way to communicate with you directly, welcoming your feedback so that together we can explore the intersection between journalism and The Public Square — between reporting the news and discussing the issues.
This can be a dynamic meeting place for informed dialogue and debate about what it means to be an American Jew in the 21st century — in the complex landscape where Jews are thriving as never before, yet facing increasing levels of anti-Semitism.
This will also be a space for humor, personal reflections and a platform to share ideas about our culture, identity, religious lives, politics and relationship with Jews in Israel and around the world.
Between The Lines gives me the opportunity to:
publish timely columns that get behind the headlines;
offer original enterprise reporting that digs deeper than 800 words;
feature short humor pieces that link Jewish life and today’s headlines;
follow-up on investigative reporting that made headlines years ago — a chance to see what changes, if any, have come about;
introduce you to a range of thought leaders, creative types and innovators on these pages or via intimate, interactive Zoom sessions.
I invite you to join me in this venture. Together we can reflect on our Jewish past to better understand the present as we strive for a brighter future.
Please sign up now to participate in this meeting place for engaged and engaging conversation.
In the meantime, tell your friends!
For more information, visit the About page.
© 2021 Gary Rosenblatt.
Interesting. "Jewish American Heritage Month" id already failing because reform leaders are ruining it and orthodox leaders don't care. For example, in a perfect world, Jared Kushner would be honored for making peace in the Middle East. I live in the real world where his nomination would be extremely divisive. However, RBG is taking pride of place as an historical figure, despite the orthodox and right wing Jewish backlash against her memory being honored in a "temple." The woman is famous for ruling against religious liberty. So, she is an anti-Semite. Reform leaders would like that. They agree with her because they hate real Jews. I'm a big believer in Jewish outreach. Every "cultural Jew" is a potential BT. I'm talking about their leadership.
They're also showcasing Bob Dylan. He doesn't exactly scream Jewish heritage appreciation. Some reform outfit sent me Adam Sandler's Hanukah song when I was in college and wanted to know what I think. What I think is that Adam Sandler's Hanukah songs are an insult. None of the celebrities he lists represent Jewish values in any way or ever do anything for the community. We're not impressed with money, fame, glitz and glamor. This is where Jewish establishment leaders fail consistently. A rabbi memorably slut-shamed Sarah Silverman. It should be obvious that he was expressing what is the majority viewpoint. I'm not mad at her, I just find her shtik annoying. Nonetheless, Sarah Silverman took the opportunity to campaign inside the Jewish community for Barack Obama, as if Jews are running out and voting how Sarah Silverman tells us to. Oh, btw, on information and belief, Barack did not get 70% of the Jewish vote.
The attitude is always the same from the Jewish establishment. They don't know their audience. We're not kids, groupies, or media whores who are impressed with "stars" just because they're technically ethnically Hebrew. It's a staggeringly ignorant marketing hook. Jewish communal leadership needs to be usurped. They are selling us down the river.
I believe we are in the same Substack Go group, starting tomorrow. Reason enough to enjoy your perspective as an agnostic living in Vancouver, Canada!