*Jewschool‘s Mobius (aka Dan Siederaski) goes toe-to-toe with JewishJournal’s Rob Eshman about the importance of Jewish blogging vs. print journalism on the neutral ground of Shma.com. Eshman recognizes blogging as a “boon” to Jewish journalism, but writes “there’s no reason to be enamored of the worst parts of it: the lashon hara; sloppy writing, editing, and sourcing; the snide, predictable anger of sexually frustrated young Jewish men with sharp minds and no one with whom to share their ideas.” And what of the sexually frusturated young Jewish women, buddy? Feel our wrath!

*Esther‘s column, “Friday Night Lights”, from last week’s Jewish Week about Sabbath candles and the single gal got us thinking about how hard it is to be a single Jew in Manhattan, let alone Boise.
For many singles who repeatedly experience the insulated isolation of Shabbat, a shameful truth emerges: Shabbat and holidays specifically, and Judaism as a whole, primarily provides a framework for family faith and community spirituality. Take away the family, community, neighborhood, or synagogue, and how many would still believe and observe from the core of their being? How much personal commitment comes from the desire to belong to a certain community? Why should I light candles if I find them so upsetting?
That’s why love her; she asks the hard questions. We hope she, and you, are surrounded by light and companionship this Shabbat.

*Wishing you a stellar Fourth of July, a Jmerica holiday fer shur. To quote American Jewish Committee Director David Harria, “Freedom is a priceless gift.” Now go out and appreciate it.