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Sundown: Madoff Mystery Remains

A perceived threat, a real threat, and bagels

by
Hadara Graubart
August 31, 2009

• According to The Washington Post, three new books about Bernie Madoff “offer insights on a sort of mass denial” that supported his scheme, although “none seems to fully capture the man behind the crime.” [WPost]
• Israeli billboards for Survivor were covered up by authorities in a religious neighborhood; although the ads were clean, said a spokesman, “from reports we have received, it’s an immodest show.” [Ynet]
• A Hamas education minister does not approve of the United Nations’ suggestion that Palestinian students be taught about the Holocaust, which he calls “a big lie.” [BBC]
• An op-ed in The Wall Street Journal warns President Obama that Israel might really attack Iran: “The reality that Western leaders don’t want to admit is that preventing Iran from getting the bomb is an Israeli national imperative, not a mere policy choice.” [WSJ]
The New York Times offers the thrilling opportunity to ask anything you ever wanted to know about bagels! A two-pronged question from one commenter: “1. Is there, in fact, anything intrinsically Jewish about the bagel? 2. If there is, how come we now have bacon bagels?” We’ll be holding our breath for the answer. [NYT]

Hadara Graubart was formerly a writer and editor for Tablet Magazine.