Category Archives: Articles and Op-Eds

Antisemitism bills shouldn’t stifle free speech

Posted on February 13, 2023 by mjknopf

Antisemitism is a serious and growing problem in the United States. Attacks on American Jews and Jewish communal institutions are at an all-time high, and a new survey finds that “classical fascist” antisemitic views, pernicious conspiracy theories about Jews as a powerful conspiratorial … Continue reading →

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With Israel’s Democracy In Danger, We Must Not Silence Critics

Posted on January 23, 2023 by mjknopf

As a new far-right government takes power in Israel, a debate among Jewish Americans has erupted about what it means to be “pro-Israel.” This is not new. Even before the First Zionist Congress convened over 120 years ago, there were … Continue reading →

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Saving Democracy is a Jewish Obligation

Posted on November 1, 2022 by mjknopf

Saying that democracy itself is on the ballot has become a cliche for a reason. Experts widely agree that threats to democracy in the U.S. and around the world are rising, including the specter of political violence and election subversion … Continue reading →

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A call for justice and peace in Israel and Palestine from an imam and a rabbi

Posted on May 23, 2021 by mjknopf

As our respective communities celebrate the Islamic Holy Day of Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and the Jewish festival of Shavuot (which commemorates the receiving of the Torah), we call upon Muslims, Jews and people of conscience everywhere to denounce … Continue reading →

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How to topple tyranny? Simple. Just never give up.

Posted on December 27, 2020 by mjknopf

If it’s been good for anything at all, 2020 has been a year for seeing things more clearly. Living in Richmond, Virginia, the former capital of the Confederacy, I’ve seen how a lie can normalize oppression. A lie can even … Continue reading →

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Richmond’s Wailing Wall

Posted on June 12, 2020 by mjknopf

The recent wave of anti-racism protests have produced at least one tangible outcome: Sometime soon, Richmond’s Confederate monuments will be removed. As I have argued before, this move is both welcome and long overdue.  However, as plans are drawn for … Continue reading →

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A History Lesson

Posted on June 11, 2020 by mjknopf

During the first weekend of demonstrations, Richmonders joined in the nationwide protests over police brutality towards African Americans, launched in response to the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer. The mostly peaceful … Continue reading →

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Shavuot and Collective Responsibility

Posted on May 26, 2020 by mjknopf

It is telling that when Jewish faith is born, it is born in community. The revelation at Sinai, which we commemorate on the festival Shavuot (which begins this Thursday evening), is a national encounter with the Divine, a collective experience. … Continue reading →

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‘We can be so much more when we live in love’: Two area faith leaders share thoughts of hope, help during COVID pandemic

Posted on May 25, 2020 by mjknopf

The following are thoughts that David Dwight, Lead Pastor of Hope Church in Richmond, and I shared with the Richmond Times-Dispatch on helping people through the difficulties of life in COVID-19. (The questions and responses have been edited for length … Continue reading →

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Wearing a face mask? You’re doing a mitzvah. Make a brachah!

Posted on April 14, 2020 by mjknopf

Among the Jewish tradition’s most cherished values is the sanctity of human life. With a few notable exceptions, one must not endanger their life in order to fulfill a religious obligation. And one must violate even the most significant commandments … Continue reading →

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