I overheard a florist comment that he'd sold more Christmas trees this year to Jewish families than non-Jewish families, and it got me thinking that the state of play for Team-Jewish is at a critical point of the game.

The '80s were a challenging time for American Jewry. It was easy to understand why so many took comfort fading into the multi-colored fabric of secularized Christianity. But then the 1990s brought forth a modern-day Judah Maccabee: Adam Sandler.

The truth about the Maccabees is a slippery one. National liberators or religious fanatics? Freedom fighters or terrorists? The truth depends on who's telling their story, and for what purpose.

This isn't about whether we think wearing burqas or niqabs is a good idea or not. The issue is whether a government should be able to impose its notion of national identity on its citizens

When we reached the beach, it struck. While crossing the boardwalk, a woman on a bike, dressed in shorts and a tank top, scornfully yelled at my wife, "Assimilate!"

I am often struck when reading through our commentators how unabashedly they speak in terms of faith, God and prayer. And how awkward it makes so many people feel today.

Has anyone ever said to a Muslim, "Welcome to America ?" Try replacing fear with friendship. Ask questions and show true respect. Then you can explain American values, how we got them, and why we want to keep America free.