Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson."

Thanksgiving aligns seamlessly with Judaism's emphasis on gratitude to G-d and loved ones. In Parashat Vayetze, Rachel's desperate plea for children meets Jacob's angry rebuke, highlighting a failure of empathy over defensiveness. True thanks requires piercing beyond words to embrace others' inner pain, countering our self-focused tendencies with compassionate listening. Like our foreparents, we can elevate relationships through generous kindness, fulfilling love's essence this holiday.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson

Native Putting Out a Fire

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Native Putting Out a Fire

Tower and Truck

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tower and Truck

Bluey Threesome

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bluey Threesome

The Barest of Heads

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Barest of Heads

Donut Tunnel

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Donut Tunnel

Thanksgiving Squirrel

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Thanksgiving Squirrel

Enough Is Enough: A Plan for Action

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Enough Is Enough: A Plan for Action."

Supporters of Hamas have intensified a disturbing campaign of hatred and intimidation, targeting Jewish communities with hateful protests and violent threats. These actions seek not only disruption but the normalization of antisemitism and provocation of violence, exploiting legal protections and testing society’s resilience. Public officials’ inadequate responses risk legitimizing such hateful behavior, highlights the urgent need for decisive action. To confront this crisis, we must implement a comprehensive six-point strategy:

1. Strengthen laws and protections for targeted communities, enforcing hate crime and civil rights statutes and defamation laws.
2. Ensure venue-appropriate security for Jewish institutions and empower law enforcement to act swiftly and without political interference.
3. Hold individuals and public figures accountable for propagating antisemitism under the guise of political critique.
4. Counter misinformation and hate through accurate media reporting, education, and strategic communication campaigns.
5. Secure digital platforms by dismantling coordinated hate campaigns, bot networks, and stopping financial incentives for hate profiteers.
6. Strengthen community resilience through training, education on antisemitism, interfaith dialogue, cross-community alliances, and robust monitoring and reporting systems.

Good people can no longer remain silent as this dangerous tide of hate rises—we must confront it now with clarity, courage, and resolve to safeguard our future.

(AI generated image via OpenAI) 

Enough Is Enough: A Plan for Action

Cannabis Museum

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cannabis Museum

Acrobat Robots

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Acrobat Robots

Stained Colored Glass

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Stained Colored Glass

Lighthouses

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lighthouses

Bubblicious It's the Ultimate Bubble

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bubblicious It's the Ultimate Bubble

The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women."

The Israeli women who suffered during the October 7 terrorist attacks faced unimaginable horrors—they were degraded, raped, murdered, mutilated, and forced to witness the brutal slaughter of their husbands and children, then tragically disbelieved by many. In sharp contrast, Sarah, our biblical foremother, whose son Isaac was spared during the binding, exemplifies unwavering faith and resilience amid hardship—qualities these women embody as they endure. The Torah portion Chayei Sarah teaches that true legacy arises from virtues like faith, kindness, service, rather than worldly achievements. Together, Sarah's enduring strength and the courage of the October 7 victims inspire us to cultivate lasting virtues that define a meaningful, resilient life beyond tragedy.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women

Twin Cupcakes

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Twin Cupcakes

Israel, the Land of Zion!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Israel, the Land of Zion!

Stuck on Wall

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Stuck on Wall

Turkey Cake

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Turkey Cake

Colorful Vodka

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Colorful Vodka

From the Binding of Isaac to October 7

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "From The Binding of Isaac to October 7."

The story of Abraham and Isaac reveals how fragile life can be, yet also how faith transforms fear into purpose. For centuries, from Egypt to the Holocaust to October 7, the Jewish people have faced the knife at their throat, believing that G-d would not abandon them. Time and again, His hand has guided us from despair to renewal, from persecution to promise. When we live with righteousness and steadfast faith, the knife meant to destroy us turns instead upon the ram caught in the thicket of evil.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

From the Binding of Isaac to October 7

Flower Hair

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flower Hair

Plush Stuffed Animals

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Plush Stuffed Animals

Mario Suspenders

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mario Suspenders

There is Always a Bigger Fish

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

There is Always a Bigger Fish

Extra Large Water Bottle

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Extra Large Water Bottle

The Imminent Danger of Zohran Mamdani

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Imminent Danger of Zohran Mamdani."

The rise of radical socialism in New York threatens not only democracy but the safety of its Jewish community. As antisemitic incidents surge, Zohran Mamdani manipulates and gaslights the public, hiding behind claims of social justice and anti‑genocide rhetoric while refusing to condemn Hamas or calls for global intifada. His deception weaponizes resentment and division, turning ideology into an instrument of hate and racism. This escalating threat puts Jews and the city’s moral foundation at grave risk. If New Yorkers do not awaken quickly, history may again repeat its darkest chapters.

(AI generated image via Meta)

The Imminent Danger of Zohran Mamdani