n class="drop-cap">Throughout the pandemic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has singled out the Jewish community for violating “stay-at-home” orders. Now, although Jews still face severe restrictions on religious gatherings after months without access to synagogues, he has permitted protesters to gather in the thousands and break social distancing guidelines. Why do political protests deserve special dispensation but religious services do not? Some have accused de Blasio of anti-Semitism, but he has always shown himself to be a trusted ally of the Jewish community. I believe the reason for his inconsistency is in some ways more insidious: Secular society sees religion—and public worship in particular—as little more than a cultural expression or a lifestyle choice. Read Full Article »
