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Removing Irish son’s name on park on hold

National Columnists

Belfast-born, Dublin-raised Chaim Herzog was a son of Ireland, through and through. Educated at Irish colleges, fluent in Irish and with an Irish brogue he carried with him through life, Herzog was a rugby star and a boxing champion. His father was the Chief Rabbi of Ireland, dubbed the “Sinn Fein Rabbi” for his support of Irish nationalism. With Ireland unwilling to oppose Hitler, Herzog joined the British Army to fight the Nazis. He was a war hero, landing at Normandy, fighting in Belgium, the Netherlands and in Germany itself and helping to liberate the Nazi death camp at ...

Slouching toward open season on Jews

National Columnists

Jews celebrating Hanukkah were just slaughtered by Muslim gunmen on an Australian beach, in an imitation of the October 7 massacres. An inert Europe is canceling Christmas celebrations out of fear of threats of violence from Muslim minorities. In the West, when an Islamist shoots a Jew, politicians often offer two bizarre remedies: gun control or a task force to tackle Islamophobia. To catalog all the recent violence against Jews in the Western world would fill a book. We know the causes. Anemic Western leaders – politicians, college presidents, media grandees, and celebrities ...

Why science can’t disprove virgin birth

National Columnists

If you aren’t a Christian, the Christmas story can seem as far-fetched as Santa Claus. Billions of people will celebrate Christmas this Thursday. It’s much more than a reason to decorate and spoil your kids or grandkids. It celebrates the birth of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem to Mary and his earthly father, Joseph. Jesus was no ordinary child. He was the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Isaiah 9 ...

We wish Merry Christmas to everyone

Editorials

Christmas is a time to spend with our family and friends, enjoy good food and conversation. Our houses are warm and decorated for the season. There are special treats, a Christmas tree to gather round and packages with ribbons and bows. Christmas today is far different than it was when this part of the country was being settled. During those years a single toy might have cost more than an entire family had to spend for holiday cheer. In the homestead era, the family seldom had a tree at home. They had to travel several miles in the cold to a schoolhouse or a church to see and ...

Happy-enough holiday is good enough

National Columnists

On my 11th Christmas, my parents were preparing to divorce. At the time, I didn’t know that, of course, though I imagine most children sense, on some level, the rising tension and animosity that can precede separation. They were certainly fighting more, and I remember hating it, being the only one of us kids who would be awoken by the sounds of their arguments. I was a light sleeper; was afraid I would sleepwalk right out of our apartment and onto the road out front. My parents must have been worried that I’d wake early on Christmas Day, too, because in the run-up to the holiday, ...

God’s gift who keeps on giving

National Columnists

With Christmas near, many people are excited to exchange gifts with family and loved ones. Children are especially enthusiastic on Christmas morning as they open their presents under the tree, hoping they received everything they asked for. They could be getting the latest technological gadgets or fashionable clothes that represent current trends. According to Amazon, some of the “hottest” gifts for girls and boys this year include mini karaoke machines with a portable Bluetooth speaker and two wireless microphones, and Masterbee digital cameras that print instant photos. Many ...