About mhpine

Michael Pine is a former professional Jew who regained amateur status nine years ago, only to become the most cliched of Jewish professionals - a lawyer.


Great Moments in Hebrew Hoops

By mhpine September 7, 2007

As a former JJBL All-Star, I feel obligated to report this: Israel rallied behind Yaniv Green's 26 points and 12 rebounds to beat Serbia 87-83 Wednesday, sending the Serbs to their earliest exit from the European Championship in 60 years. … Read More

It’s Morning in Morningside Heights

By mhpine September 7, 2007

This week marked the installation of Arnold Eisen as the new Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary.  In appointing Eisen, the Conservative movement has taken the radical step of selecting someone who has actually has signigicant knowledge of the world … Read More

Relationship Status for American Jews and Muslims: It’s Complicated

By mhpine September 6, 2007

This week, Reform Grand Rebbe Eric Yoffie spoke at the convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). In his speech, Yoffie deplored the "profound ignorance" of Islam in the US, and its demonization by "opportunists." Yet at the … Read More

Young American Jews Without Connection to Israel Alienated From Israel, Study Confirms

By mhpine September 6, 2007

The findings in the most recent Kelman/Cohen studyare not as blazingly obvious as "men want hot women", but they are nonetheless unsurprising.   Based on the responses of more than 1,700 non-Orthodox American Jews of all ages, the study indicates that … Read More

Shalom Aleichem/Salaam Aleikum to Self-Segregation

By mhpine September 6, 2007

Controversy continues to swirl around the Arabic-language Khalil Gibran International Academy in New York and (as Michael previously noted) its bizarro cousin, the Hebrew-language Ben Gamla charter school in Hollywood, Florida. The criticism of both schools is driven by skepticism … Read More