http://washingtonjewishweek.com en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 09:16:33 GMT Daily feed of articles http://washingtonjewishweek.com/Main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=269&ArticleID=19328 As young Jewish professionals living and working in Washington, D.C., we all know there is no shortage of organized Jewish opportunities to be crammed together with your friends in a Dupont Circle, Downtown, or Capitol Hill bar with a few hundred of your peers. Commentary Wed, 15 May 2013 14:51:00 GMT http://washingtonjewishweek.com/Main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=269&ArticleID=19325 Harsh words in the Israeli Knesset and fisticuffs at the Western Wall have come to define the growing alienation of secular and ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Jews in Israel and the political struggle underway regarding haredi participation in the national political and economic life of the country. For many non-haredi Israelis, the ultra-Orthodox are seen as parasites who enjoy the benefits of Israeli society, including security, economic handouts and institutional subsidies, without sharing any of the burdens, such as army service or regular, taxable employment. For the haredi community, secular Israelis are seen as undermining thousands of years of Jewish tradition by developing a political system in which religion plays only a minor role. Both sides need to step back from the brink of permanent, mutual alienation. Commentary Wed, 15 May 2013 14:47:00 GMT