Jewish World Review: The intersection of faith, culture and politics

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[Today's articles/toons are linked at the bottom. But before going there, PLEASE read this actually short but HEARTFELT letter. ]

"If you will it, it is no dream."

This quote might well be the ultimate example of "positive thinking".

Attributed to Theodor Herzl -- the Austro-Hungarian journalist, political activist, and writer who became one of the fathers of modern political Zionism -- it had a profound impact on me as a kid growing up.

There are similar quotes, of course. I would eventually encounter in my readings, "If you can dream it, you can do it."

But to me -- somebody who aspires to be a realist in the most inspired way -- the latter is just plain goofy. No surprise, then, many claim it was uttered by Walt Disney.

Being motivated to accomplish (Herzl) doesn't mean one will, as Disney claims, succeed.

Success starts with a great idea, but must be "watered" with perseverance. Help must come from On High, but also Down Here.

In a few days, JWR will turn 20. Two decades. (No, I can't believe it either!) My guess is that most of you reading the site -- whether it be daily, weekly or periodically -- were not here when I launched it in 1997.

Back in '97 I was a not only a pioneer (The commercial Internet was just taking off.) but also a newly minted -- and newly married -- journalist living in the outer boroughs of "Media City".

Just about any of my fellow students from journalism skool (sic) would have done almost anything to be in my place. I already had a gig at one of the nation's most widely circulated dailies and was a contributing editor at a century-old weekly. My byline had appeared in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc.

But once I reached the near-top of my profession, I realized that I'd landed upon a garbage heap. And, frankly, I couldn't take the stench. Maybe my yeshiva (rabbinic seminary) training still stirred my soul. Maybe.

More likely, though, still in my 20s, my dreams had yet to be quashed.

"If you will it, it is no dream."

I was willing to take a calculated risk to fulfill that dream.

Growing up, I should have been beaten down. Many considered my parents "old fashioned". In practical terms, it meant they had values --- ones that weren't malleable. In my home, trendy didn't trump tradition.

As a member of a religious minority, I was used to being on the "outs". But it wasn't til college that I first met others like myself, who shared similar experiences.

They were believing Christians.

We "People of Faith" were at school, not to party, but to procure a profession. Not to obtain status, but as a means: To live a Godly life and support one's forthcoming family.

On campus, we were mocked and belittled. And intimidated --- too often into silence. We stuck together.

It was at college I had an epiphany: People of faith have more that unites us, than divides us. More importantly, we absolutely must stick together.

It's that belief that animates JWR. It's been a guiding principle since Day 1. For two decades!

My dream was to create a forum of ideas and ideals that eloquently and elegantly defend the values WE hold so dear.

A Colorado Christian baker's problem is this observant Brooklyn Jew's problem as well!

"If you can dream it, you can do it." Not alone you can't.

And I thank God -- and YOU -- that I haven't need to.

I have received mail from caring, grateful readers wondering why I had yet to begin our annual fundraising campaign. Was I ill again? they wondered.

There are two answers. Firstly, I wanted to compose something personal (I hope that I've succeeded) and needed to find the time to write from the heart.

And I decided to limit the fundraiser.

In years past some became annoyed at my once-a-year attempt to keep JWR alive. It lasted too long, they claimed.

You are gaining from JWR. You appreciate the site and want to make sure it continues to publish. I suspect that like me, you will now view it is as a dream come true.

One that's worthy of your support.

All expressions of kindness and gratitude are tax-deductible. They can be made through our secure online site or by making out a check and mailing it to the sponsoring foundation (Keren Yehoshua V'Yisroel/JWR) -- marked in the "memo section" for "Internet Education Project" -- at:

Keren Yehoshua V'Yisroel/JWR
127 Columbia Boulevard
Waterbury, CT 06710
Tax ID: 22-3209160

In gratitude and friendship,
Binyamin L. Jolkovsky
Editor in Chief

Cal Thomas: Starving the beast

News of the Weird: FAN-antic | Inexplicable

Argus Hamilton's The News in Zingers

Paul Farhi: Blunderer Brian (Ross') staggering screw-ups

• Main Stret by Salena Zito: In a Political World Gone Topsy-Turvy, Mike Pence Is the Party Leader

John Kass: Kate Steinle: A symbol now of what's wrong with illegal immigration? I'm not so sure

Richard A. Epstein: Reasonable Searches In The Digital Age

Leonid Bershidsky: Pivot to millennials? An airline makes a bet

Paul Greenberg: Who's the enemy, and does the FBI know?

Andrew Roth: Kremlin denies that Flynn convinced Putin to hold off on retaliatory sanctions

Rich Lowry: Flynn's Russia contacts were no crime and no scandal

(HARVARD LAW prof) Noah Feldman: Trump can't officially confess to anything through a tweet

Hugh Hewitt: A special counsel needs to investigate the FBI and Justice Department. Now

Marc A. Thiessen: In refusing to step down, Moore and others are following Bill Clinton's playbook

Wesley Pruden: Robert Mueller's mighty tuna shrinks to a goldfish

• Mallard Filmore

THINK TOONS

• Lisa Benson

• Chip Bok

• Bob Gorrell

• Steve Kelley

• Dana Summers

• Gary Varvel

• Michael Ramirez

• Michael Ramirez BONUS!

This World
Permission to Speak, Please
By Susan Weintrob

When the teacher was taught a lesson --- a life transforming one

Reality Check
The method to Trump's supposed 'madness' on Jerusalem may make sense
By Jonathan Tobin

The president has a strategy. A bold and gutsy -- if risky -- one

Passionate Parenting
Learning from our mistakes, for kids and ourselves
By Mary Laura Philpott

Just as our children don't come into the world knowing everything we know, humanity doesn't always move forward with the lessons of the past intact

Absolutely Must-Know Info
House, Senate Tax Plans: How They Will Affect You
By Kevin McCormally, Sandra Block & Joy Taylor

Here's a look at 21 issues that could affect you and your pocketbook --- some of which seem to be done deals, others that are still up in the air. And note this: Many of the changes in the Senate bill would expire after 2025, and, unless a future Congress acts to extend them, the rules would revert to current law

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By Casey Seidenberg

Whether you're recovering from surgery or just trying to get through the winter healthfully, what you eat matters

Ess, Ess/ Eat, Eat!
The Kosher Gourmet
By Cathy Barrow

Meet sorghum syrup and peppermint oil, my winter BFFs (2 RECIPES)

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