Sapir
Polarization and the Hidden Israeli Center
1 Mar
Recent surveys reveal a significant portion of Israeli voters feel politically homeless due to the entrenched polarization into two main blocs: those support...
1 Mar
Sapir
Jewish Geography
1 Mar
Jewish history has been marked by migrations and expulsions, notably the expulsion from Spain in 1492, when Sultan Bayezid II welcomed Jewish refugees, contr...
1 Mar
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: Blazing Saddles
1 Mar
Mel Brooks' 1974 film, "Blazing Saddles," is a provocative comedy that attacks the traditional conventions of Western cinema through satirical humor with a d...
1 Mar
Sapir
The Office Is Political
1 Mar
Amidst growing polarization and a crisis of civility in American public life, the workplace emerges as a pivotal arena for fostering civic engagement and div...
1 Mar
Sapir
An Alternative to Antiracism
1 Mar
The piece critiques the prevalent antiracism approach in diversity work, emphasizing its potential overemphasis on victimhood and identity conflicts. Instead...
1 Mar
Sapir
The Black-Jewish Convergence
1 Mar
In light of recent events and longstanding cultural ties, the relationship between Black and Jewish communities in America faces challenges yet holds potenti...
1 Mar
Sapir
The Diversity-Industrial Complex
1 Mar
The article scrutinizes the transformation of diversity as a value in America from its original concept rooted in diverse religious tolerance and individual ...
1 Mar
Sapir
Viewpoint Diversity — Up to a Point
1 Mar
Viewpoint diversity, once a cherished aspect of academic and intellectual discourse, is experiencing challenges within university environments since a shift ...
1 Mar
Sapir
Our Coalitions Must Hold Through Crisis
1 Mar
Following the crisis triggered by events in Israel on October 7, Jewish-American communities have faced challenges in maintaining longstanding coalitions wit...
1 Mar
Sapir
Zionism as a Method of Diversity
1 Mar
Israeli President Isaac Herzog reflects on the complex and evolving nature of Israeli society, underscoring the country's dynamic diversity as both a challen...
1 Mar
Sapir
Why I Am Not a Jew of Color
1 Mar
Exploring the complexities surrounding the term 'Jew of Color,' this article reflects on the author's personal journey of rejecting this label despite meetin...
1 Mar
Sapir
The Sympathetic Method
1 Mar
Exploring the narrative of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai as a metaphor, the text examines the contrast between judgmental and sympathetic approaches to understandi...
1 Mar
Sapir
Are Zionists and Anti-Zionists Arguing for the Sake of Heaven?
1 Mar
The complex debates around Zionism and anti-Zionism, especially in light of recent events, challenge core Jewish principles of disagreement and unity. Histor...
1 Mar
Sapir
Publisher's Note
1 Mar
Judaism's longstanding tradition of valuing diverse perspectives, as exemplified in the Talmud and the teachings of Hillel, contrasts sharply with today's of...
1 Mar
Sapir
Jewish Identity vs. Identity Politics
1 Mar
Jonas Phillips, an early American Jewish figure, exemplified the tension between Jewish identity and civic participation through an 1787 letter he wrote to t...
1 Mar
Sapir
Why HBCUs Are Key to Fighting Antisemitism
1 Nov 2024
The article explores the historical and evolving dynamics of Black-Jewish relations in the U.S., particularly focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Uni...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Campuses Need Viewpoint Diversity. How Can They Foster It?
1 Nov 2024
Caroline Mehl, co-founder of the Constructive Dialogue Institute, discusses the importance of fostering viewpoint diversity on college campuses in response t...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Boycotts: The Case for Raising Our Voices
1 Nov 2024
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel has largely failed economically, with foreign investment in Israel significantly increas...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Columbia Needs Countercultural Leadership
1 Nov 2024
The tensions at Columbia University reflect deep-seated governance issues rather than just antisemitism or problematic individuals in leadership. The current...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Consumer Culture Has No Place at College
1 Nov 2024
The article delves into how consumer culture has infiltrated and diluted the mission of modern universities, shifting focus from genuine educational pursuits...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
The Roots of Public Mistrust: Science, Policy & Academic Integrity
1 Nov 2024
Public trust in the scientific community, historically stable, is declining due to institutional distrust, political divides, and pandemic management. Scienc...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Arguments for the Sake of Collegiate Heaven
1 Nov 2024
The article discusses the value of "argument for the sake of heaven" as exemplified by the debates between the schools of Hillel and Shammai, and how this co...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Editor’s Note
1 Nov 2024
Amidst ongoing debates on the state of higher education, the article revisits criticisms against universities historically viewed as bastions of intellectual...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
His Barbed Behind: Mr. Sammler’s Planet and Its Critics
1 Nov 2024
Saul Bellow's 1970 novel, *Mr. Sammler's Planet*, struck a deep and controversial chord, directly engaging with the social and political upheavals of the tim...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
The Rise and Fall of Jews on Campus
1 Nov 2024
The article explores the troubling rise of antisemitism within American elite universities, drawing parallels with the antisemitic actions of the Ku Klux Kla...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Boycotts: The Legal Remedy
1 Nov 2024
The growing movement to boycott Israeli academic institutions poses significant risks to Israel's global scientific and economic standing, as well as to broa...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
(Wilhelm von) Humboldt’s Gift
1 Nov 2024
Reflecting on Wilhelm von Humboldt's vision of the modern university, this article examines the evolution of universities from intellectual sanctuaries to mu...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Turning Critical Theory on Its Head
1 Nov 2024
The article critiques the modern application of critical theory in academia, particularly within the humanities and social sciences, for its failure to addre...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Boycotts: The Threat to Academic Freedom
1 Nov 2024
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) recently shifted its stance, endorsing academic boycotts under certain conditions, sparking a debate...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Religious Diversity Can Reform Our Campuses
1 Nov 2024
Higher education is at a crossroads with significant enrollment declines, financial challenges, and a culture of self-censorship impeding genuine discourse o...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
Encouraging Debate, Not Settling It
1 Nov 2024
Daniel Diermeier, Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, discusses his commitment to fostering a campus culture rooted in inquiry and reason, amid growing dise...
1 Nov 2024
Sapir
The Constitutional Case for Jewish Charter Schools
1 Aug 2024
The article discusses the constitutional argument for implementing Jewish charter schools (JCSs) in America to address challenges facing the Jewish community...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Jewish Masterpiece: ‘Hatikvah’
1 Aug 2024
The article discusses the significance of the Jewish anthem, "Hatikvah," especially in the context of the survivors of Bergen-Belsen singing it upon liberati...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Haredi Faith: Theology and the Draft Controversy
1 Aug 2024
The text explores the theological perspective within Israeli Haredi society, focusing on the belief that human efforts have no direct impact on outcomes, whi...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
The Trust Trap
1 Aug 2024
The text explores the erosion of trust in American institutions, particularly government, due to a crisis of elite legitimacy. It discusses how leaders justi...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Why Is a Jewish Atheist Different from All Other Atheists?
1 Aug 2024
The article explores the unique identity of Jewish atheists by posing four questions that distinguish them from other atheists. It delves into historical fig...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
The God Who Dwells in Doubt
1 Aug 2024
The author shares a deeply personal journey of faith and doubt, reflecting on moments of awe and skepticism towards God. Growing up as a skeptic influenced b...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
The First Tisha B’Av Since October 7
1 Aug 2024
The text delves into the evolution of Tisha B'Av observance from a day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple to a day reflecting Israel's transition ...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Show Up to Synagogue
1 Aug 2024
The discussion explores the importance of synagogue attendance for young American Jews facing rising antisemitism and social challenges. Drawing parallels to...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Emunah & the Artist
1 Aug 2024
This text explores the intertwined relationship between faith, art, and Jewish tradition through the author's personal journey and literary work. Growing up ...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
The False Binary of Theism vs. Atheism
1 Aug 2024
The text discusses the limitations of the traditional binary classification of theist vs. atheist when it comes to beliefs about God, particularly within Jud...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Faith vs. Faithfulness in American Jewish Institutions
1 Aug 2024
The text discusses the decline in faith and engagement with American Jewish institutions, such as synagogues and Federations, paralleling the broader trend o...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Faith & Fertility in Israel
1 Aug 2024
In Israel, fertility rates have remained high compared to many other countries, with religious groups like the Haredi Jews having exceptionally high birth ra...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
For America’s Jews, Past Is Prologue
1 Aug 2024
The text reflects on the history of antisemitism in America and its impact on the Jewish community, highlighting recent incidents of hatred and prejudice. De...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Publisher's Note
1 Aug 2024
The text discusses the lack of emphasis on faith in American Jewish life, attributing it to the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity and a reluctance to de...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
The Search for God in the Jewish Classroom
1 Aug 2024
The discussion highlights the complexities of teaching faith in Jewish education, especially in the context of displaying the Ten Commandments in public clas...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
My Liberal Faith
1 Aug 2024
The writer reflects on their journey into a liberal faith shaped by a seminar on the Book of Genesis, which led them to embrace Judaism's insights on justice...
1 Aug 2024
Sapir
Resilience In Spirit
1 Jun 2024
In a discussion on spiritual resilience, three rabbis reflect on God, Torah, and Israel. Tamar Elad-Appelbaum delves into personal history to explain how res...
1 Jun 2024
Sapir
Resilience Is a Threat
1 Jun 2024
The discussion revolves around the concept of resilience within the Jewish community, particularly in the face of ongoing threats and challenges. The text hi...
1 Jun 2024
Sapir
Zionism and Liberalism in America
1 Jun 2024
The relationship between Zionism and Liberalism in America is facing strain, especially on the Left which has shifted towards progressivism and criticism of ...
1 Jun 2024