Model Journalism
The Backward covers the Israeli issues that matter, from left to right.

What's a Jew?
We asked a handful of people on the streets of New York. More

Martin Mayhem
Buber fans throng to launch of new 'i-and-thou Phone.'

Total Recall
Toyota admits that hybrid tefillin had faulty gassot pedals.

A Kinder Gentler Jihad
Islamic Jihad is rebranding for crossover appeal at home and to win friends overseas. More

Slam Dunk
In a bid for new tourist markets, Cawker City, Kansas diversifies with its new 'Mikveh & Ball of Twine.'

Still Too Soon?
Can Anne Frank jokes really become the new rock 'n' roll?

Second Messiah Arrives: Mother Not Jewish
Harbinger of eternal peace claims he ‘still feels Jewish in his heart.’

God Resumes Prophecy — Via Twitter

Tenets of Faith Adrift in Cybersphere

God has resumed direct communication with humans, 140 characters at a time. As the Holy One, Blessed Be He, put it in His opening Tweet, "I'm back. And I’ve got plenty to say." Read More

Chabad Opens Up Pandora’s Box

Latest outpost employs avatar missionaries to convince lapsed Na’vi to come around for shabbes dinner.

A Heartwarming Drawing

By Eli Valley

Cartoonist Eli Valley explains the major piece of information about the IDF that Goldstone omitted from his report.Read More

What’s a Nice Gerund Like You Doing in a Place Like This?

Lost In Language

By Phil O’Lologous

Phil O'Lologous answers the age-old question of "who put the sin in cinema," and responds to Mr. Arthur Salmon of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Salmon writes, "I have been suffering from shortness of breath, a liking for dill and an embarrassing discoloration of the pupik Have I been misusing Yiddish grammar?" Read More

I. B. Singer’s Secret Hispanic Meydl

By Ilan Stavans

A newly discovered letter, written in Yiddish by Isaac Bashevis Singer to Magdalena Salazar, his Mexican maid of seven years, offers insight into the Nobel Prize winner’s previously unknown romantic liaison. Read More

Israel Reins in Firebrand Minister

By Anthony Weiss

To limit fallout from Foreign Minister Lieberman's inflammatory public comments, Israeli officials have begun staging a series of fake public appearances to fool him into believing that the outside world is listening. Read More

Eternally Wandering Jew Comes Home

By Backward Staff Writer

The eternally wandering Jew, long thought to be a legendary figure from Christian tales, recently arrived home safely, clutching a mochaccino. He refused to say where he'd been until he’d had a nap — upstairs, in his own room, thank you very much. Read More

If You Agree With Me, Then You Are Right

In response to recent criticism of his logic, the Backward editor, in this editorial, writes, "Until you have learned enough to understand exactly how spot-on my opinions are, no one wants to hear from you. Got it?" Read More

Israeli Rabbinate Declares Non-Orthodox Jews ‘Kosher — and Delicious’

By Rob Kutner

Jerusalem — In a historic ruling, the Israeli rabbinate has finally decided to recognize Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative Jews — as the perfect entree for Shabbat dinner. The decision has been contested by non-Orthodox denominations who claim their flavors are given insufficient credit. It has also brought controversy to Orthodox authorities, who are divided as to whether their brethren can be eaten during Tisha B'Av and the Three Weeks, but the ruling eases the burden on kosher meat manufacturers, still struggling to keep up with demand after the Agriprocessors closure. Read More

Letters

This week, on our letters page, a dispirited Benjy Netanyahu responds to the Backward arts and culture pages, and Sholom Rubashkin, writing from behind bars, has a thing or two to say about our Postville coverage. Read More





 

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