I'm on the road in North America for PresenTense, just having spent two days at the Orthodox Forum where I spoke about the Odyssey Years phenomenon and its implications for modern Orthodoxy. I'll post more about that once I assimilate the fascinating conversations that took place among a group of people whose Jewish learning and knowledge base was mind blowing. I tried to turn the conversation towards Modern Orthodoxy within a broader framework of Jewish purpose. More on that down the road.

A few weeks ago I asked Aharon to give me a "crash course" on the Jewish world.  Said in jest, he and I laughed - but as a new Jewish professional, I was kind of serious. 

I am Jewish.  I am a professional.  But I am a novice in regards to the major organizations, Jewish philanthropists, and notable players in the Jewish market place that I am expected to know in this new role.  Coming from a professional path where there was clear separation of religion and work - the only way I was marked as "Jewish" was by my time sheet - I have thought a lot about what it means to merge these two identities. And joining the PresenTense staff has given me a new appreciation and greater understanding of what it means to dedicate your working-hours to the Jewish people. 

By Hila Lipnick

I have been doing some thinking about the Purim story and the roots of anti-Semitism. In the megillah Haman famously says to King Ahashverosh: