Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by Harold Berman


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 2 of 2

  • Herring is not religion: 'Cultural' alternative to conversion is a bad idea

    Harold Berman|Dec 20, 2013

    EFRAT, West Bank (JTA)—The reputable car dealer’s advertisement in the local paper screams “Brand New Mercedes—Only $500!” You get excited but think it sounds too good to be true. Upon closer inspection, it is: The car dealer is offering only the hubcaps of the Mercedes for $500. If you want the whole car, it will cost the standard price. Suddenly the car dealer doesn’t sound so reputable. You would never find such an ad because no car dealer in his right mind would make such an offer. Yet hubcaps masquerading as the car is exactly what Steven...

  • From church choir to Jerusalem, a couple's interfaith journey

    Harold Berman, First person|May 24, 2013

    EFRAT, West Bank (JTA)—One Christmas eve, as Jews across the country headed for Chinese restaurants, I found myself in a church choir. The church, on the outskirts of Boston and straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, had hired me to sing for their service. As the clock struck 11, I entered the sanctuary with the choir, our robes and music illuminated only by the candles each of us held. “Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,” we intoned in a near-whisper as the organ w...