Sapir
Israel Is Less Fragile Than We Feared, More Fragile Than We Imagine
1 May 2023
Israel, at 75 years old, is often seen as vulnerable to various existential threats, but it has proven to be resilient throughout its history. From military ...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is a Hope for Its Arab Citizens, Too
1 May 2023
The author reflects on the challenging times in the Middle East but emphasizes the importance of creating joy for both Arab and Jewish citizens. They share p...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is at Risk of Destroying Itself
1 May 2023
The author, a resident of the border community Nahal Oz, discusses the impact of Israel's current political climate on its citizens. While Nahal Oz has exper...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is in Danger of Losing American Jewry
1 May 2023
The author discusses the complex relationship between American Jews and Israel, particularly for non-Orthodox Jews. They highlight the connection and sense o...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is a Miracle
1 May 2023
The author asserts that the State of Israel is a miraculous phenomenon. Despite initial doubts, in just a few decades, Zionism gained support from powerful n...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is Dangerously Polarized
1 May 2023
Israel is experiencing dangerous polarization, as evidenced by the heated debates and divisions within society. The split between pro- and anti-Bibi camps go...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is in Need of Judicial Reform
1 May 2023
Israel is currently engaged in a heated debate about judicial reform, which has been ongoing for decades. The debate centers around the constitutional revolu...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is a Climate Leader
1 May 2023
Israel is emerging as a leader in climate technology, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The country's history of agricultural innovation, dr...
1 May 2023
Sapir
Israel Is a Hispanic Opportunity
1 Apr 2023
The article discusses the potential impact of the Hispanic community on Israel's future and the need for Israel to engage with Spanish-speaking audiences. Th...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Israel Is Antiracist, Anti-Colonialist, Anti-Fascist (and Was from the Start)
1 Apr 2023
The article argues that the commonly-held belief that Israel was created as a result of neocolonialist American imperialism is false. Instead, the author ass...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Israel Is Doing Fine; We’re the Ones Who Need Help
1 Apr 2023
The article argues that the traditional view of Israel as a struggling nation that needs the support of the Diaspora Jewish community is outdated. Israel's e...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Israel Is a Liberator
1 Apr 2023
Zionism has both blessed and burdened the Jewish people by liberating them through the establishment of the state of Israel. With this freedom, Jews have bee...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
A Light unto the Nations
1 Apr 2023
The idea of Israel being a "light unto the nations" has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. Early commentary focused on Israel following t...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Israel Is Missing a Strong Left
1 Apr 2023
Israel is currently experiencing protests against the government, which is attempting to bring the Supreme Court under political control and limit democratic...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Editor’s Note
1 Apr 2023
In this issue of Sapir, dedicated to Israel's 75th birthday, the editors examine Israel's past and future. They address the national crisis arising from the ...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Israel Is More Than Enough
1 Apr 2023
The Passover song Dayenu is not only about gratitude for the miracles of the Exodus but also serves as a blueprint for the story of Israel. The establishment...
1 Apr 2023
Sapir
Philip Roth: Portnoy’s Complaint
1 Jan 2023
"Portnoy's Complaint" by Philip Roth is a groundbreaking novel that merges Jewish stand-up comedy with literature. The book follows Alex Portnoy's sessions w...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
The Jewish Future Needs Yiddish
1 Jan 2023
The article discusses the importance of Yiddish language and culture in Jewish identity. It highlights how Yiddish songs and traditions have been adapted and...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
From Mouth to Mind: Food and Jewish Engagement
1 Jan 2023
Chef Michael Solomonov, known for popularizing Israeli cuisine in the US, discusses the importance of food in Jewish culture and its connection to Jewish ide...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Why Israeli TV Is So Good
1 Jan 2023
Israeli TV has seen a rise in the representation of religious Jews in recent years, with shows like "Srugim," "Shtisel," and "Shababnikim" gaining popularity...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
How Funders Shape Jewish Culture
1 Jan 2023
Fundraising for Jewish arts and culture is crucial for promoting Jewish values and narratives. While there are different approaches, both Mem Bernstein and S...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Prophetic Fervor and the Jewish Writer
1 Jan 2023
This text explores the connection between prophetic fervor and Jewish writers. It highlights how the decline and fall of everything has been a Jewish study s...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
From My Dinner with Andre to That Dinner with Kanye
1 Jan 2023
The article discusses the cultural shift in America from the release of the film "My Dinner with Andre" in 1981 to the present day where events like Kanye We...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
‘A Swinging Bunch of People’ No Longer
1 Jan 2023
This article explores the historical significance of celebrity conversions to Judaism in the 1950s and 1960s and discusses the evolving cultural model of ant...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Judaism Without Borders, Diaspora Without Tears
1 Jan 2023
In this essay, the author reflects on her experience as a Jewish-American writer and the evolving landscape of Jewish-American literature. She emphasizes tha...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Shivim Panim
1 Jan 2023
In a discussion about the ethical implications of accepting philanthropic gifts that may be tainted by the personal or professional activities of the giver, ...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Postcard from Lod
1 Jan 2023
The article discusses the city of Lod in Israel, specifically the neighborhood of Ramat Eshkol, which experienced riots in May 2021. The neighborhood has a m...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
The Role and Relevance of Museums Today: From the Universal to the Particular
1 Jan 2023
Museums play a crucial role as custodians of culture, preserving art and artifacts and contextualizing them within changing perspectives. They can be univers...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Publisher’s Note
1 Jan 2023
The publisher reflects on the significant Jewish influence on American culture, especially in the 20th century. The author mentions that many popular Christm...
1 Jan 2023
Sapir
Shivim Panim: A Column on Ethics
1 Nov 2022
to have been created or not created. These discussions were not easy, but they were part of the Jewish tradition of engaging with complex and controversial t...
1 Nov 2022
Sapir
My N-Word Problem – and Ours
1 Nov 2022
The article discusses the controversy surrounding the use of the N-word in literature and the impact of censoring it. The author argues that by avoiding the ...
1 Nov 2022
Sapir
Isaac Babel: “My First Goose”
1 Nov 2022
Isaac Babel: My First Goose is a story by Isaac Babel about his experiences as a war correspondent during the Russian-Soviet-Polish War. The story follows th...
1 Nov 2022
Sapir
Postcard from Morocco
1 Nov 2022
The Jewish community in Casablanca, Morocco, is facing a decline in membership, but has recently received an influx of Israeli tourists and entrepreneurs due...
1 Nov 2022
Sapir
How We Got Here: An Intellectual History
1 Oct 2022
Postmodernism (PoMo) emerged in the 1960s, rejecting reason and absolutes, and embracing the idea that truth is subjective. It influenced art and culture, co...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Practicing What We Preach
1 Oct 2022
The article discusses the importance of free speech and the challenges it presents, particularly within the context of antisemitic and anti-Israel speech. Th...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
The Culture of the Canceled
1 Oct 2022
The author, a former professor at Princeton University, reflects on their experience of being "canceled" and the unexpected benefits that came with it. They ...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Jews and Cancel Culture
1 Oct 2022
Cancel culture is a significant issue for Jews and liberal democracy. It goes beyond legitimate consequences for wrongdoing and instead involves erasure, whe...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
The Decline of Civil Discourse: Will the Next Generation Speak Freely?
1 Oct 2022
In this essay, the author discusses the rise of cancel culture on college campuses, where students are being shunned and ostracized for expressing unpopular ...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Uncanceling Ourselves
1 Oct 2022
The article discusses the issue of cancel culture and its impact on free speech. The author shares their own experiences of hiding their true self and living...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Can the Good Guys Win the Culture War?
1 Oct 2022
The essay discusses the rise of identity politics, cancel culture, and "Wokism" in recent years. The author argues that while these trends were once seen as ...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
To Err is Human; to Disagree, Jewish
1 Oct 2022
This text discusses the Jewish tradition of argument and controversy, highlighting its importance in seeking truth and fostering a robust and inclusive cultu...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
‘We’re All Just Waiting to Get Fired’
1 Oct 2022
The author discusses the challenges faced by leaders in Jewish philanthropy, including cancel culture, incivility, and illiberalism. They highlight stories f...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Publisher’s Note
1 Oct 2022
This text emphasizes the importance of teshuva, or repentance, in Jewish thought and observance. It highlights how Yom Kippur and the 10 days of repentance l...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
When Right Cancels Right
1 Oct 2022
The article discusses the existence of cancel culture on both the Left and the Right. Examples are provided of individuals who have faced professional conseq...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
Quitting Coddle Culture
1 Oct 2022
The current problem with child-rearing culture is not the participation trophy mentality, but the excessive amount of adult supervision and intervention in c...
1 Oct 2022
Sapir
The Public Problems of Private Schools
1 Aug 2022
The author shares their personal experience with their daughter attending an elite private school in New York City. They describe how the school's focus on d...
1 Aug 2022
Sapir
Homeschooling Might Just Be Your Answer
1 Aug 2022
Homeschooling can be a viable option for Jewish families, offering flexibility in schedule, family dynamics, and budget. Many people dismiss homeschooling wi...
1 Aug 2022
Sapir
Jewish Education Should Have ‘Shoulds’
1 Aug 2022
The article discusses the challenges and potential impact of initiatives aimed at changing the Jewish educational system in North America. It highlights the ...
1 Aug 2022
Sapir
Shivim Panim
1 Aug 2022
This text discusses two ethical dilemmas faced in Jewish communal life. The first is whether or not it is appropriate to pay students to learn Torah. The art...
1 Aug 2022
Sapir
Day Schools and DEI: A Parent’s Perspective
1 Aug 2022
The author, a mother of four children who are Russian, Black, and Jewish, reflects on the value of Jewish day schools in instilling pride in their Jewish ide...
1 Aug 2022