It seems the Anti-Semitic attacks that have recently been plaguing Europe are now spreading to America.

A Chabad Rabbi and his family were terrorized this week when their car was set on fire in the middle of the night in Los Angeles. Not only did it burn, but there were multiple explosions and it’s a miracle that no one was hurt or killed.

After examining security footage, it became clear that this was a premeditated arson, not an accident.

Just looking at the photo of the burnt-out car gives me the shivers! Can you imagine the fear that family must’ve felt? My heart just breaks for them and I’m sickened by the coward(s) who committed this crime.

In response to the attack, the rabbi’s created a new campaign called “Fighting Fire with Fire,” inviting all Jewish women and girls to light Shabbat candles this Friday (and presumably on future Shabbats).

I think this is a wonderful, tangible way that we can show our support. Regardless of observance level, we’re all members of the same Jewish community and when any segment is attacked, we should all respond with love and concern.

I would also encourage everyone to visit the Chabad of Mt. Olympus website, to send well wishes to Rabbi & Mrs. Rodel. Chabad is famous for their intensive outreach efforts and they do so much good for the community.

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Infamous adult movie star Jenna Jameson recently revealed she’s converting to Judaism, encouraged by her Israeli fiancé. As expected, the news has caused a lot of commotion in the Jewish community, particularly among feminists.

While I’m proud to consider myself a feminist and I can certainly understand why people think she’s toxic, I also believe that anyone who is on a spiritual journey should be encouraged.

We have no way of knowing if she’s sincere or not. Has she made unfortunate decisions? Yes. Is pornography harmful to women? Of course. But that doesn’t mean Jenna Jameson—or anyone else—can’t believe in God and religion while leading a destructive lifestyle. (I’m reminded of the biblical tale of Rahab.)

A few years ago, she went on Larry King’s show and proclaimed to be a “religious Catholic.” Now, she seems to want to be a religious Jew (if her recent Twitter and Instagram posts can be believed). That says to me that she’s obviously searching for something.

Is Judaism the answer for her? Nobody else knows and she’s entitled to try. Let’s not forget other “wild women” like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor also converted.

If we truly want to help people lead a moral life, we can’t pick and choose who’s good enough to be included. The overwhelming majority can be redeemed, regardless of the sin committed. After all, we’re all sinners, just in varying degrees. (The only sins that should prevent a conversion are crimes committed against the Jewish People, which she’s not guilty of doing.)

I’d extend a hand of welcome to Jenna Jameson if we were in a temple together. Would you?

After a 75-year wait, Luxembourg has officially apologized for its anti-Semitic actions during WW2. In a declaration signed by 60 lawmakers and the Prime Minister, that country has admitted to aiding the Nazis in their evil terror campaign.

Because Luxembourg is such a small nation, many people may not be aware that 3,700 Jewish citizens lived there at the time and over 1,200 were deported—the majority to their death.

The question is: Does their apology matter?

Personally, I think the apology is a very positive step. While most of the victims will never know, it clearly demonstrates to current and future generations that genocide is wrong and simply can not be tolerated and it provides another safeguard against the sickos who deny the Holocaust ever happened (yes, Mel Gibson, I’m talking to you)! I do wish they had spoken up decades ago, but this is better than nothing.

More than mere words, I think the best apology of all is CASH. Anyone who was effected by the Holocaust—including their heirs—rightfully deserve reparations for loss of property like the landmark case involving the Swiss banks having to repay over a billion dollars, which frankly should’ve been more.

True, no amount of money could ever make up for the suffering, but the compensation shouldn’t be denied simply because too many years have gone by. Same as we should hunt down every single living Nazi and bring them to trial, we need to search for every lost dollar and return it!

Do apologies matter in cases as serious as the Holocaust, or is it too little, too late?

Certain news stories just make me go crazy and this is one of them!

The Daily Mail has an interesting article about a Hasidic sect in the UK banning women drivers. That’s bad enough, but children driven to school by their mothers are being turned away from learning!

According to the leaders of this Belz sect, it’s an issue of modesty. To most everyone else, it’s obviously an issue of power and control—similar to the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia.

Personally, I think it’s awful when religion is twisted in this way. There is no law in the Torah banning women from driving. Women need freedom of movement just as men do—to buy groceries, visit the doctor, pick up children, and fulfill other necessities of life.

While most modern women of all religions are able to drive, just a few generations ago that wasn’t the case. My own grandmother didn’t get a license until she was 40 years old and it was only due to my grandfather being hospitalized long term. Because she didn’t start driving until later in life, she never really caught on, and was always full of fear behind the wheel.

I believe any woman that wants to learn should be able to drive, same as she should be taught to read or swim. We need educated, empowered women, not abused dependents.

How do you feel about banning women drivers?

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