IFCJ.org is offering free “Pray for Israel” magnets when you fill out their form.

Miriam Sternoff is a white Jewish woman from Seattle. O’Neal McKnight is a Southern-raised Black man. Together, they are an engaged couple, starring in a new Lifetime reality show, “Kosher Soul.”

With a classic “opposites attract” premise,  “Kosher Soul” examines what it describes as a culture clash. Can a couple that’s not only Interracial, but also Interfaith stand a chance?

According to the loving couple, yes they can. O’Neal is so serious about his commitment to Miriam that he’s willing to convert to Judaism. Miriam is also into compromise; she attempts to cook Soul food and is open to wearing gold fake teeth.

If it’s not totally obvious, the duo is borderline outrageous and the show seems to delight in hitting every stereotype known to mankind about both Blacks and Jews.

While I liked the show and found it mildly entertaining, many are incensed, not only by the subject matter, but also at O’Neal’s comedic one-liners like asking a Rabbi why Jews are good with money and discussing his Grandmother picking cotton. (Yes, cringe-worthy, but I don’t think it’s mean spirited.)

The most vocal opponents are the Alliance of Black Jews—yes, there truly is such a group—who are heating things up with a Twitter war. While I understand the controversy, I don’t agree with it. “Kosher Soul” is documenting the experience of one couple, not representing the entire Black Jewish community. Reality TV is meant to be entertainment and escapism, not an intellectual experience.

With so many differences, Miriam and O’Neal have a rocky road ahead. Personally, I think that may too hard to overcome, but I wish these two nothing but the best.

Do you find “Kosher Soul” cool or crass?

In response to the horrific terrorist attacks in France and Denmark, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encouraging the massive immigration of European Jews to Israel.

While I’m very fond of Netanyahu and usually agree with his views, on this issue, I definitely do not. I certainly understand why he fears for their safety in a world full of anti-Semitism. I don’t think, however, that removing every Jew from European soil will stop the attacks, nor will it stop the sick, misguided beliefs that perpetuate them.

In a free society, law-abiding individuals have the right to live any place they choose. For centuries, Jews were denied this basic freedom, forced to become a nation of wanderers, separated from the Holy Land, and trapped in miserable areas like the Pale of Settlement, Warsaw ghetto, and far worse.

We, as a People, had done nothing to deserve this exclusion, just as modern-day European Jews have done nothing wrong! Why should they heed the Prime Minister’s call and flee their homes, businesses, family, and friends? It should be the criminals leaving, not the victims.

Islamic terrorists dream of a Jew-free Europe, just as Hitler did. Through fear, violence, and intimidation, they seek to destroy what is good and replace it with pure evil. Decent people can not stand for that. When NYC was attacked on 9/11, politicians weren’t telling American Jews to move to Israel. Rather, everyone was focused on rebuilding and preventing further destruction, just as Europe should be now.

Obviously, any Jew that wants to move willingly can and should be able to do so. Israel truly is a safe haven for all and I thank the dear Lord for that every single day. Knowing, should the need arise, that every Jew can relocate and start over again in comfort is priceless. Many died for this privilege we enjoy and it should never be taken lightly.

But we don’t want to confuse options with obligations. Those of us who were raised in the Disapora have had a very different experience than our Israeli brothers and sisters. Neither experience is superior, or “More Jewish,” as some seem to believe. A fulfilling Jewish life can be had most anywhere on the planet, no matter how rural or remote.

Massive Jewish immigration, whether it’s to the U.S. or Israel, isn’t the answer. Every community, in every country, should be protected and preserved. In the 1930’s and ’40’s, European Jewish communities were under attack. They were told to relocate and never come back. The few who did were spared, while the masses were murdered. Can we, in good conscience, ignore this important historical lesson?

The past has taught us that peace can only be attained through strength and threats must be faced head-on. Running from an enemy doesn’t guarantee they won’t follow. Islamic terrorists have made the entire world their battleground.

I support sending aid to the European Jews, so they can defend themselves. If we don’t, these vibrant communities gradually cease to exist, and once they’re gone, will remain so forever. We only have to look at the devestation of post-war communities in Poland, Austria, and Germany to see that. So many incredible people, temples, and buildings were wiped out, along with art, music, and a culture that spanned centuries.

The Secular governments of France and Denmark are not against the Jewish community and had nothing to do with the attacks. Yes, France doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to Anti-Semitism, but I believe that’s changing. Denmark has always been a special friend to us. During WWII, Denmark was the only European country that saved every one of their Jewish citizens, and their own king wore a star in solidarity. The French and the Danes are good people and they don’t want any more innocents to die.

Perhaps the debate can best be summed up with a quote from Copenhagen’s chief rabbi, Jair Melchior, “People from Denmark move to Israel because they love Israel, because of Zionism. But not because of terrorism. If the way we deal with terror is to run somewhere else, we should all run to a deserted island.”

I’m not running, the chief rabbi isn’t running, and nobody else should either. I just wish the Prime Minister could understand why…

Are you in favor of European Jewish immigration? Why or why not?

“Voices of Auschwitz” is a new documentary that will be airing on CNN tonight at 9:00pm, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the infamous death camp’s liberation.

According to the preview, four remarkable survivors are featured. Each is bravely willing to relive horrific memories of the torture, loss, and abuse they suffered. Archival footage and current views of the camp will also be included.

Well-known anchor, Wolf Blitzer, is hosting. I’ve watched Wolf on TV for many, many years and I was totally unaware that his Paternal grandparents were murdered at Auschwitz! I can’t even begin to imagine the pain he must be enduring, having to tour the death camp in person where his loved ones perished. Truly heartbreaking! I’m not sure if I could do it…

In my own family, we didn’t suffer directly from the Holocaust. (To my knowledge, only a single relative was killed. I believe he was a distant cousin.) My Great-Grandparents emigrated long before WWII, having dealt with vicious anti-Semitism, Pogroms, and other miseries in the former Russian Empire.

While Holocaust documentaries and movies can be extremely painful to watch, I feel we must do it to bear witness and ensure that these atrocities will NEVER happen again. Many people want to move on and leave the past in the past, but I don’t agree. The victims need justice; their memories must not be forgotten and their deaths must not be in vain.

I’m in my 30’s now, and I can vividly remember when I first learned about the Holocaust. I was 7 years old and we were living in Florida. My Grandmother, whom I adored and was very, very close to, had a winter home close by and we spent a lot of time together. She was always bringing me with her wherever she went, especially to parties, “lunches with the ladies,” and other social gatherings. One of her favorites was a weekly Mahjong group that happened to include a lady who was a Holocaust Survivor. I noticed weird numbers on her arm. Confused, I asked my Grandmother what it meant. She refused to answer and told me to ask my father (her son) later.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind, and I did seek my father’s guidance. He tried to explain it to me the best he could, unsure how much to tell a 7 year old and what I was ready to hear. While I can’t recall his exact words, I do remember feeling exceptionally afraid and wondering if it could happen to us. He assured me we were safe in America, and we also had Israel, too.

I’ve often wondered what this world would be like now if the millions of victims of Auschwitz, other camps, and the Nazi regime at large, hadn’t died. Would cancer be cured? What innovations could’ve—should’ve—been created? What a tragedy to never know.

One thing is for sure: the more we study the Holocaust, the more we can try to learn from its terrible lessons and not repeat them. That is why I will be watching “Voices of Auschwitz.” Won’t you join me?