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Roger Cohen: I was wrong

By Uriel Heilman · June 19, 2009

A footnote to the developments in Iran:

After the events following last week's election, New York Times columnist Roger Cohen has changed his tone on the Islamic Republic, whose praises he had been singing almost incessantly (while bashing Israel) since a visit to Iran in February. Then, he marveled at the "relative tranquility" enjoyed by the country's Jews, and in numerous columns following slammed Israel and others for demonizing the Iranian regime. He called for immediate rapprochement between Iran and Washington.

I called Cohen naive on Iran, and more.

Now Cohen may be realizing the error of his ways: "I erred in underestimating the brutality and cynicism of a regime that understands the uses of ruthlessness," Cohen wrote two days after the apparent sham election.

I’ve argued for engagement with Iran and I still believe in it, although, in the name of the millions defrauded, President Obama’s outreach must now await a decent interval.

I’ve also argued that, although repressive, the Islamic Republic offers significant margins of freedom by regional standards. I erred in underestimating the brutality and cynicism of a regime that understands the uses of ruthlessness.

No word from Cohen on Israel.

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Rough year for Ramaz…

By Ami Eden · June 19, 2009

First Bernie Madoff. Now this...

Probable cases of swine flu have hit the middle school division of Ramaz, one of New York City’s most prestigious Jewish day schools. After eight students reported confirmed cases of influenza last week -- which, school administrator Ken Rochlin said, means that they likely have the H1N1 virus with the treyf nicknam -- the middle school postponed its graduation, which had been scheduled for Monday, June 15.

Click here to read Tablet's full report.

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Is Bruno homophobic?

By Ben Harris · June 19, 2009

The Jewish Journal unpacks the controversy in a blog post about Sascha Baron Cohen's latest film, in which he plays a flamboyantly gay fashion journalist from Austria.

From the Journal:

Interest in the film has soared as a result of Baron Cohen’s outlandish antics. But what’s captivating a worldwide audience is far more than the face value of his comedy. Bruno’s in-your-face, over-the-top queerness is meant to challenge gay stereotypes. Many are interpreting Baron Cohen’s outright mockery of those stereotypes as a comment or expose on homophobia. Gay groups are cautiously restrained when commenting on the film, with some feeling that its humor may be too high-minded for the average moviegoer. As they say, homophobics may not get that the joke is on them; especially when the film skirts the line between being offensive or enlightening.

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Meet the Noahides

By Ben Harris · June 19, 2009

I happened to find myself in rural Tennessee last week and dropped in to check out a story I've been following for a while: a group of non-Jews who observe the Torah's Noahide commandments and consider themselves B'nai Noah.

Enjoy the video.

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