The United Arab Emirates is getting its first chief rabbi. Yehuda Sarna—who is also a Chaplain at NYU—plans to visit 4 times annually. Eager to pursue an interfaith dialogue with the Muslim majority country, he calls it, “the emergence of the first new Jewish community in the Arab world for centuries.”

With all due respect to the Rabbi, he is living in a dream world. The UAE is a notoriously anti-Semitic cesspool that is so vicious towards Jews they refuse to let anyone with an Israeli passport enter the country.

I don’t see how you can build bridges and enjoy open communication with people who have such a narrow and hateful mindset. This is a place that’s famous for Human Rights abuses, where Sharia Law rules, meaning you can be deported for blasphemy against Islam and Apostasy is a CAPITAL offense.

It would be impossible to have a thriving Jewish presence under those conditions. Quite frankly, I think they’re crazy to even try it.

UAE attracts a lot of foreigners who want to work there. Unfortunately, many of them have regretted their decision after finding themselves in terrible and unjust circumstances. There are numerous stories of female visitors being raped and then blamed for the attack; unexplained disappearances; fake criminal charges that resulted in being tortured while in custody; and having to pay exorbitant ransoms for release are just a few examples.

Capitalism is great, but our lives are worth much more! I would never, ever step foot inside the UAE. As a Jewish-American Lady, I find everything they stand for to be repugnant. They have no respect for Western values, no freedom of religion, and definitely no Women’s Rights. It’s an evil place.

The Jews that are there should consider relocating for their own safety. Whatever they think they’re gaining could be taken away by the UAE government in a second. That’s no way to live. With less than 1,500 members, they have no influence and no ability to protect themselves from abuse.

This is why Israel is so important. Before we had our own country, we never had a guarantee of stability. Rather than suffer under the misery of Sharia Law, the Jewish community of the UAE should make Aliyah. They have good intentions, no doubt, but they’re attempting something that can not be—not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow, never. The UAE is not for Jews, period.

The Jewish Federation of Hartford, CT has launched something important that will help the needy. Called the Women’s Dignity Project, they are collecting health and hygiene items that many women and girls simply can not afford.

Those of us who are blessed with abundance may not even realize that products like shampoo, deodorant, sanitary pads, cosmetics, toothpaste, and a bar of soap are considered luxuries for some. (Hard to believe, I know, but it’s the truth.)

Even if someone is receiving welfare, they can’t use benefits to buy this stuff and may have to go without. The thought of a young lady unable to attend school due to a lack of feminine hygiene is heartbreaking, not to mention embarrassing and unfair.

At their first meeting in February, over 150 dignity packs were assembled, proving that even small groups can make a huge impact. Imagine if every Jewish Federation or Hadassah chapter followed Hartford’s lead—we could have thousands of packs.

The cost for the packs isn’t a burden for most ladies, especially if you coupon. I donate to my local food pantry every month and without fail, they have more demand than resources. Food, of course, is the top priority, but personal care is also important. Having the ability to wash your hair, brush your teeth, and put on a little lipstick can make a world of difference to someone who is struggling just to survive.

I bet if you check your medicine cabinet, there are unopened items you bought and never used (happens to the best of us). Maybe you have multiples; keep some, give some. If you have extra money and can contribute, take $20.00 and fill up a bag. Being stingy does no good, but giving always is right. Compassion is contagious. If we set a good example, others will follow. Be the change you want to see in the world, don’t just talk about it.

The Secular Humanist wing of the Jewish community has conceived of a new holiday: Yom HaTzedek aka Day of Justice. According to these Social Justice Warriors, Judaism isn’t about religion, it’s about “protests and activism.” (Or, it should be, in their opinion.)

Participants from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Shalom Hartman Institute, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and other liberal organizations will gather in NYC on June 17 for a celebration. Judging by the turnout from last month’s trial-run—that had a whopping 30 participants—I seriously doubt this will catch on.

History has proven that watered-down “feel good” Judaism does not increase participation. Quite the opposite: the only segment of the Jewish population that’s actually growing is the Orthodox.

Jews do not need new holidays; we need to celebrate the existing holidays! Substituting Tikkun Olam’s message of “Repairing the world” for actual Jewish Law and tradition is ridiculous. The beauty of Judaism is that it stands for all-time, without needing to be reinvented. 

The only people who would be attracted to a “Day of Justice” are those who do not—or will not—follow actual Judaism. The same folks who claim Judaism is nothing more than bagels, lox and Seinfeld. They want to remove every aspect of religion and call it a friendship circle. They reject Torah, they reject Kashrut, they reject Shabbos, some even reject Zionism! 

Yes, we have different Jewish movements, and that is perfectly ok. I’m not saying that there is only one way to be Jewish—far from it. But there has to be a minimum level of belief and practice. By following the Commandments, we are focused on justice every single day, not one day. Perhaps if the secular would actually study Torah, they’d already know that…

The Anatolian Toy Museum in Turkey is displaying a doll that was made with the real human hair of a holocaust victim. 

The museum director, when asked about the origins of the doll, called its history a “touching story.” I call it deranged and disgusting!

Some folks believe the doll is merely a fake. I personally don’t doubt it’s authenticity, because there are many sick people who collect Nazi memorabilia (even more troubling, it was purchased from a German curator). The fact that a so-called museum would actually participate is the mind-blowing part.

The victim, who “donated” this hair, is unidentified, but she surely didn’t give her consent. Her hair was violently and viciously shaved from her head in a concentration camp, for goodness sake. This is literally trafficking in human body parts, no different than the monsters that made lampshades out of skin. It’s not a work of art, it’s a work of genocide. 

We need to respect the dignity of the dead. Yes, there is a historical purpose in displaying what was stolen from them—their teeth, their hair, fake limbs, wedding bands, etc. But it needs to be done by a legit source, in a dignified way, and never for profit, particularly if the item was a sicko trophy bought from a Nazi worshiper. 

This doll needs to be destroyed, not displayed. It’s nothing more than exploitation and I find it very offensive.