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Congratulations, we’re expecting! That’s because the Jewish year 5771 that has just started is a “pregnant year,” a shana me’uberet in Hebrew. (Ubar in Hebrew is a fetus or embryo.) In other words, it’s a leap year, one in which the 12 regular months, six of 29 days and six of 30, “give birth” to a 13th to make up for the steady slippage — the “epact,” to use the technical term for it — of the Jewish lunar calendar vis-à-vis the solar one used throughout the world. In English, ibur ha-shana, literally, “the impregnation of the year,” is known as “intercalation.” This is a word that, surprisingly, has nothing to do with “calendar,” which derives from the Latin calendarium, an account book. Rather, it comes from Latin calare, “to proclaim,” since originally, leap years were not scheduled regularly but were periodically announced by public proclamation. The solar year is…

"This metal remnant was taken from the remains of the Twin Towers that imploded in the September 11, 2001 disaster. It was sent over to Israel by the City of New York to be incorporated into this memorial. This metal piece, like the entire monument is a manifestation of the special relationship between New York and Jerusalem and an expression of gratitude to Keren Kayemeth – Jewish National Fund whose initiative and the generous contribution of its supporters made this monument possible." (engraving on the monument) "We deliberated over the best site for this memorial, finally choosing Arazim Park, one of a string of parks within a huge metropolitan park encircling Jerusalem, serving as a Green lung for Jerusalem and comprising forests, springs, fruit orchards, ancient mountain terraces and many attractions. The park will reflect the past, present and future of the Eternal City and will be visible from the…

By Daniel Gordis on September 3, 2010 In its basic form, the Ground Zero mosque debate boils down to a conflict between two competing values – American freedom of religion versus the sensitivities of the families of the victims of 9/11. The freedom-of-religion argument suggests that if Jews sought to build a synagogue at Ground Zero (or anywhere else, for that matter), they would be within their rights. That’s the American way. The opposing view suggests that while not every Catholic was guilty in the Holocaust, and not every Muslim perpetrated the crimes of 9/11, sensitivities still matter. Pope John Paul II had the decency to force the Carmelite nuns out of Auschwitz, and Muslim leaders, too, ought to relocate their project. Similarly, the mutual accusations are parallel: If you are opposed to the mosque, you are an Islamophobic racist. And if you’re in favor of it, you’re simply insensitive to…