By Mark Gerson | Substack | Published December 11, 2024

A few weeks ago, United Hatzalah had its young leadership gala in New York City. The honoree was Scooter Braun — who turned it around and said that he was instead going to give the honor to Joe Teplow, the remarkable entrepreneur and EMT who went with him to Israel after October 7 and introduced him to United Hatzalah.

In both Scooter and Joe’s talks, they referenced the dual (or combined) purpose of the evening: to enable committed Jewish singles to meet each other while supporting the life-saving work of United Hatzalah…

By Mark Gerson | Substack | Published December 9, 2024

The Torah is equally helpful in victory and defeat.

Last week, I published in these pages a consideration of three lessons that the Democrats – following the 2024 election – can learn from the Torah.

My great friend Rabbi David Wolpe, whose sermons (available on the Temple Sinai website) have taught me so much Torah, emailed with appreciation for the article and a challenge: What are three lessons that the Republicans can learn from the Torah?

By Mark Gerson | Substack | Published December 6, 2024

Forbes recently posted an interview with my fellow United Hatzalah supporter and dear friend Bob Book.

I don’t love Bob only because he always brings (and smokes with) me the world’s best cigars, often from the Mamilla Mall in Jerusalem where a mention of his name is enough to get the proprietor to keep the store open after hours. Bob is also a great businessman, a deeply committed philanthropist, a great friend, a fierce supporter of the people, institutions and ideas he believes in – and a genuinely wise man. His wisdom comes through in the Forbes article, through a story he recounts of how he started his business career. As a young man…

By Mark Gerson | Jewish Journal | Published November 27, 2024

If the Democrats do consult the Torah, they will realize – right at the beginning – something that may surprise them: They should be feeling great right now. 

After the recent resounding Republican victory, the Democrats have started a process of determining how they lost so conclusively.  They are looking at politics, candidates and much else – but there is one source that none seems to have consulted.  This is the Torah, the sacred text for Jews and Christians that starts with Genesis and concludes with Deuteronomy. 

Why the Torah? After the recent resounding…

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published November 24, 2024 | 10:00am EST

It is Genesis 6, 10 generations after Adam and Eve, and things are not going well in God’s world. God observes widespread corruption and immorality, with robbery being the common practice. 

God is furious and regrets having created mankind – and resolves to destroy the world in a flood.  

But there is a glimmer of hope. God decides to save one man and his family, and through them, eventually recreate the world…

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published September 15, 2024 | 8:00am EDT

Torah based immigration framework would eliminate the non-strategic incoherence that plagues the US system.

Since the Naturalization Act of 1790, immigration has been a consistently contentious issue in American politics.

Throughout history, America’s religious leaders have offered guidance and opinions on immigration, in general terms and concerning specific legislation.

In recent years, much of this religious guidance has centered on a verse from the Torah...

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published September 1, 2024 | 10:00am EDT

In about 250 words, Ten Commandments deliver universal moral guidance.

Earlier this summer, Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed into law a requirement that all public classrooms display the Ten Commandments. Broadly similar laws are moving through legislatures and courts in a variety of other states – as they have at various points over the past 75 years. Especially as the school year begins, it is worth considering: Should the Ten Commandments be placed in every classroom?  

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published August 24, 2024 10:00am EDT

How might parents use this concept to help our children in this back-to-school season?

In the past two weeks, a quintessentially local story became news around the world. The Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, banned all-black clothing for the coming school year because such attire "has become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn." 

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published August 11, 2024 10:00am EDT

Moses and Joseph both needed to be publicly truthful and that's what woke insanity also needs. Gender is a choice – and, indeed, a complicated one as there are many genders. If a 12-year-old girl believes that she is a boy or "nonbinary" and wants to undergo life-altering surgery, she is vulnerable to harm – by adults suggesting that she not make irreparable changes, at least until she is old enough to get a tattoo. Climate change is "the No. 1 existential threat to the world," and a good reason for young people to live in debilitating fear and decide not to have children. Yearning for a colorblind society is racist…

By Mark Gerson | Fox News | Published July 13, 2024 | 5:43pm EDT

I will always remember when I first met Dr. Ruth.

It was a few months before her 75th birthday – so, a little more than 21 years ago. I was at a Jewish charity event, and was walking by a few of the tables where various auction items and services were being offered. One was "Lunch with Dr. Ruth Westheimer at the Ocean Grill." I felt a tap on my shoulder.  

I turned around and it was Dr. Ruth. She had two words for me, and delivered them in her famous …