Either she's a pretty-packaged idiot with a micro view of the world or else her agent is a greedy pimp.

Dear Ms. Steinhauer: While the exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art presents a fine example of Jewish book arts seen through the lens of of contemporary practicing artists and one illustrator (Podwal), it makes me sad to have to blow my own horn on this occasion to point out that the Museum neglected to recognize my work on the visual midrash entitled 'Between Heaven & Earth: An Illuminated Torah Commentary (Pomegranate, 2009). It is a work that stands on its own as a unique interpretation of the Torah in words and images. You owe it to yourself and your readers to check it out and perhaps recommend to the Museum a glance as well. T'would be a shanda for the world to discover it postmortem... http://www.amazon.com/Between-Heaven-Earth-Illumi...

Thanks for your response, Rav Avram. Stopping to pause and reflect on one's thoughts and actions is always a step in the right direction. Life is too short to be mean and mean-spirited. Wishing you a gut shabbos.

Certainly, the arguments here in response to Mr. Michaelson's opinion run the gamut from erudite to grammatically sloppy and willfully ignorant. Yet none has stated the obvious lesson underlying these displays of self-righteousness.

In a perfect world, which ours is NOT, if a particular group truly believes in and lives by its own creed, then the insecure need to convince others of that creed should be unnecessary. Is this idea merely a pipedream? Sure, but it doesn't have to be.

As we continue to witness in the news, it is only when one group cannot be quietly content and secure in its own way of life and foments fear of reprisal among its dissenting members, then we have the type of behavior that draws down public reaction.

Given human nature, there will always be those who 'game the system' and those who indulge their perversities whether or not they wear the garb of their religious affiliation. Yet, despite the media's fixation on the religious affiliation of such immoral individuals, judging a person's behavior based on his religious affiliation is inaccurate and tends to despoil the entire aspect of their organizations.

Similarly, prophesying and dwelling on the uncertain future of non-orthodox branches of Judaism is not unlike issuing a death warrant; it dampens the spirit and impedes the progress of those striving to remain 'Jewish' and maiantaining the relevance of these movements that balance the basic tenets of Judaism.

Whether one calls these groups 'cults, NRM's or just generic Orthodox is of no importance. The lesson that we all must learn is older and more profound than all the groups, their supporters and detractors; LIVE AND LET LIVE.

Pah. These arguments are mere pilpul. Everyone's Jewish, but not everyone's willing to admit it. ;)

I'm not a New Yorker nor am I endorsing suburbia, but it seems to me that the noise and eventual stench of many people living in such close quarters would quickly grow unbearable, not to mention the outrageous premium price of having to live this way. I still remember the stories of my immigrant grandparents who did so. Try coming to Pittsburgh; it's affordable and there's room to breathe!

It' s this very divisiveness among Jews of every stripe that triggered the destruction
of our Temples. Chew on that for Tisha B'Av.

Words, as well meaning as they are, don't take guns away. Actions do. Listen up, Mr. President; I voted for you and believed you would make a difference. So get a handle on your moxie, ignore the evil vipers hissing at your ears and give us the country you promised.