Grandpa on a Camel: A Family Story (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: Family stories vary according to the teller and also change over time. This story is based on memories my mother shared with me. I have likely embellished it greatly with my imagination. Any inaccuracies belong solely to me. It was hard for Haiman Kopelman, my great grandfather, to leave Vashilishok. He was not only leaving the city he called home, but his widowed mother,...

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Unpacking the Myth of Ecocide: The Environmental Narrative of the War in Gaza (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are solely those of the author, weekly Judean Rose columnist Varda Meyers Epstein. Does damage to the environment incurred in the course of fighting a defensive war constitute a war crime? Of course not, but that hasn’t stopped those who hate Israel from accusing the Jewish State of committing “ecocide.” That’s right: they’ve coined a...

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Zelenskyy's Contempt: For Once, Israel Isn't Special (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are solely those of the author, weekly Judean Rose columnist Varda Meyers Epstein.I watched, open-mouthed as Zelenskyy became argumentative, even hostile to the vice president and president in front of the press. It was so shocking I didn’t even have words for what I was seeing. “Oh my God,” I said over and over again like a mantra. “What...

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Stiff-Necked and Unbroken: Hostages Seek God in Gaza (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are solely those of the author, weekly Judean Rose columnist Varda Meyers Epstein.We’ve all heard of people spurning God when tragedy strikes. They say things like, “God didn’t help me when I needed help. Therefore he doesn’t exist,” or, “If there were a God, He wouldn’t have made the Holocaust,” or, “If there is a God, He’s not a loving...

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After October 7: Why American Jews Still Voted Democrat (Judean Rose)

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are solely those of the author, weekly Judean Rose columnist Varda Meyers Epstein.I should be overjoyed that Donald Trump won the election. But the truth is, I’m angry. Even deep into February. Still angry. I had thought, ‘Finally, finally, American Jews will wake up and stop voting Democrat, the party that hurts Israel.’  Instead,...

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