About the Author

Judy Gruen

Judy Gruen is the author of Bylines and Blessings, The Skeptic and the Rabbi, and several other books. An award-winning columnist for the Jewish Journal, her work has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, Jewish Action, and many other outlets. She is also a writing coach and book editor and writes the "Bylines and Blessings" newsletter on Substack. Read more of her work at judygruen.com.

The Life and Times of Glikl bas Leyb: a 17th-Century Woman for the Ages

Nearly 300 years after her death, Glikl has become an unlikely literary celebrity.

My White Privilege Has Nothing to Do with It

Identity politics and the victimization mindset has poisoned too many interactions between citizens.

(Anti-)Orthodox

The media always seems to miss the big story about Orthodox Jews.

Seven Ways to Strengthen Your Friendships

Good friends are essential for your emotional health.

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The new film about Fred Rogers and a cynical journalist is a movie we need right now.

Lampooning Hitler: Jojo Rabbit Anti-Hate Satire

Award-winning director Taika Waititi skewers the banality of evil in his latest film.

Even in Auschwitz: Choosing the Possible

Dr. Edith Eva Eger, a Holocaust survivor and trauma expert, channels her experience to help others learn to move past suffering.

Blinded by the Light: What Bruce Springsteen’s Music Meant to Me

A new movie highlights how the rock legend inspired a teenager to pursue his dreams, reminding me of everything I love about Springsteen’s music.

The Day I Got Scammed

Yep, I fell for a tech support scam. And so could you.

Making the Holocaust Real

Archiving the Jewish American past, Gregg Philipson collects to remember and to fight bigotry and anti-Semitism.

Toy Story 4: Love, Loyalty and the Meaning of Life

The hit film delves into some meaty philosophical issues.

Kyle Kashuv and the Limits of Forgiveness

Harvard rescinds the acceptance of young man who survived the Parkland shootings for racist statements he made as a teen and has since regretted.

Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate

Moe Berg became a major league ball player and a major league spy.

The Shtisel Phenomenon

Fans can’t get enough of this Hareidi family.

Beautiful Boy: The Long Road Back from Teenage Drug Addiction

A new book by former addict and his father offers safer pathways to deal with life’s pain.

The Bezos' $137 Billion Divorce

Thoughts on the break-up of one of the world’s wealthiest couples.

Four Vital Lessons from Tara Westover’s Educated

Insights from the popular memoir on the challenges in discovering who we are meant to be.

Hasidic Women Breaking Barriers

A new documentary reveals Judge Ruchi Freier’s trailblazing work to establish the first all-women’s emergency medical response team Brooklyn.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Mr. Rogers, 50 Years Later

The unlikely media star taught the importance of civility, compassion, and the hard work of being a good human being.

Have We Gone to the Dogs?

We could learn a thing or two from our lovable companions.

I Feel Pretty: Can Confidence Make a Woman Beautiful?

Amy Schumer’s mediocre film raises important issues about self-esteem and beauty.

What’s Really Wrong with the Insulting “Jewish Man’s Rebellion” Essay

Don’t minimize the inherent difficulties in inter-faith marriage.

A Bag of Marbles: A New Holocaust Film Worth Seeing

The true story of French Jewish brothers fighting for survival during WWII.

Invite These Five Women to Your Seder

Women who played a pivotal role in Exodus story.

The Physician-Assisted Suicide of My Sister’s Friend

An elderly, paralyzed woman choosing death has shocked and saddened me.

Modest Fashion Is All the Rage: Can the Trend Last?

Women today are declaring their need to feel more protected and more empowered through clothing that covers more than it reveals.

Larry David’s Tasteless Holocaust Joke

When does humor cross the line from clever and incisive to inappropriate and offensive?

Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo Phenomenon

A silent epidemic is silent no more.

The Hook-Up Culture is Eroding the Value of Marriage

Non-committal physical Intimacy is making it harder for women to get married.

Going Orthodox: 8 Things that Surprised Me Living as an Observant Jew

I was still insecure and nervous about living a Torah observant life. What would my new life look like?

The Holocaust Survivor and the SS Guard

Judy Meisel is one of the last people alive who can help finger a former SS guard who tormented her at the Stuttof concentration camp.

9 Ways to Discourage Your Teens from Swearing

Practical ideas to help your teens tame the swearing habit.

The Wedding Plan with No Groom

A new Israeli movie explores the limits of faith.

Hookup Culture Wreaks Havoc on Campus

New research reveals that a many students find themselves in a fog of depression, confusion, and hurt.

7 Myths about Divorce

Powerful arguments for saving and revitalizing your marriage.

Esther Chana’s Fabulous “I-Beat-Cancer” Ice Climb

Faith, optimism and the love of a community join forces to help a woman fight a near-fatal diagnosis.

Steven Spielberg's Mother Shone Her Own Light

Leah Adler passes away at age 97.

La La Land and the Limits of Romance

The award-winning film upends the typical Hollywood romance with its controversial ending.

Mary Tyler Moore, My Lifesaver

Beloved actress’ gift of laughter helped me through the pain in my early life.

The Orthodox Jewish Dating Web Series

“Soon by You”, a web series about the New York dating scene, is turning heads.

Cleaning House

I’m finding the courage to declutter once and for all.

Autistic Soldiers in Israeli Defense Forces

Welcome to Unit 9900 where special soldiers provide extra security for the IDF.

Should We Ditch Small Talk on Dates?

Why serious conversations can help speed up the dating process.

Son of Saul

The director and lead actor of the award-winning Holocaust film are two Jews who are passionate about their people and history.

Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe Gaffe

Lessons from the mindboggling mistake heard around the world.

Eagles of Death Metal Defies Terrorism

The rock band played in Israel and returned to Paris, demonstrating its courage and commitment to freedom.

The Adele Sensation

Does the superstar’s old-style elegance add to her allure?

Trumbo

Working underground due to the infamous Hollywood blacklist didn’t prevent this writer from producing hit after hit.

Michael Douglas: Star of David

The legendary Hollywood producer and star becomes an eloquent defender of the Jewish people.

Steve Jobs: The Apple of Our Eye?

Steve Jobs may have been a corporate titan, but many honorable character traits, cherished by Judaism, were foreign to him.

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From Vietnamese Refugee to Israeli Soldier to Florida Restaurateur 8 min read

The Fourth of July and Jerusalem 7 min read

The Anthropologist Deconstructing Antizionism 14 min read

I Looked Fine. I Wasn't 3 min read

His Best Friend Killed His Daughter in a Car Accident 6 min read

Holocaust Survivors’ Torment After Liberation 13 min read

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