Disagreement

• Blinken’s visit to Beijing was ostensibly to meet his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
• Qin had previously been China’s ambassador to the US until earlier this year and was well-known in Washington diplomatic circles.
• Media coverage of the event seems to reflect some of the inherent uncertainties in the US-China relationship, as well.

How relations deteriorated this year

• In terms of significance, its not the content of the talks that matter so much as what preceded them.
• When Biden came into office in early 2021, it seemed to herald a slight rapprochement between the two governments.
• Though there were still disagreements over many issues, the two leaders held a virtual summit at the end of 2021.
• It was not so much a meeting of minds, but rather an agreement to avoid the catastrophe of open conflict.

‘Candid, substantive and constructive’

• Among other things, Xi told Blinken that rivalry between great powers could not solve problems in the United States or challenges facing the world.
• Neither party can shape the other according to its own wishes, let alone deprive the other of its legitimate right to development.
• Neither party can shape the other according to its own wishes, let alone deprive the other of its legitimate right to development.
• The State Department, meanwhile, characterised the discussions as “candid, substantive and constructive”, emphasising
  the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of miscalculation.

As a scholar of modern Jewish history, religion and politics, I am often asked to explain the differences between Judaism’s major denominations. Here is a very brief overview:

Rabbinic roots

• After the Romans destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E., one main group, who called themselves “rabbis” – sages or teachers – began to dominate.
• What we now know as “Judaism” grew out of this group, technically called “Rabbinic Judaism.” Rabbinic Judaism believed that God gave Jewish teachings and scriptures to Moses at Mt.
• This corpus became the foundation of rabbinic literature.

Historic turning point

• For example, starting in the Middle Ages, a Jewish group called the Karaites challenged the rabbis’ authority by rejecting the oral Torah.
• Still, Rabbinic Judaism remained a more or less united religious community for some 1,500 years – until the 19th century.
• Meanwhile, thousands – eventually millions – of Jews moved to the United States, which likewise offered equal citizenship.

Three major groups

• Each group claimed that they followed the best or most authentic traditions of Judaism.
• The first modern denomination to organize was Reform – first in Germany in the early 19th century, but soon in America as well.
• Orthodox Judaism soon organized in reaction to Reform, rallying to defend the strict observance of Jewish customs and law.
• In practice, most Conservative Jews tend not to be strict about even major rituals, like observing Sabbath restrictions or kosher food practices.

From Orthodox to ultra-Orthodox

• Of all the Jewish denominations, the Orthodox groups are perhaps most misunderstood.
• They all share a commitment to Jewish law – especially regarding gender roles and sexuality, food consumption and Sabbath restrictions – but there are many divisions, generally categorized on a spectrum from “modern” to “ultra” Orthodox.
• The ultra-Orthodox, on the other hand – sometimes called “Haredim” or Haredi Jews – advocate segregation from the outside world.
• Not only has Orthodox Judaism innovated many rituals and teachings, but people today have greater awareness that other types of life are available – creating a firm break with the traditional world Orthodoxy claims to perpetuate.

Becoming a nation

• Inspired by nationalist movements around them, they claimed that Jews constituted a modern nation, rather than just a religion.
• Reform Jews and even some early Orthodox Jews worried that defining Jews as a “nation” would undermine their claim to equal citizenship in other countries.
• Still, most ultra-Orthodox Jews today continue to oppose Zionist ideology, even as they hold right-wing political views on Israel.
• Either way, Orthodoxy is going to continue to play a very important role in Jewish life for many years to come.

• Perfectionism is a personality trait that involves demanding a flawless standard of performance and harshly evaluating ourselves and others.
• Perfectionism rates steadily increased over recent decades, and our culture is now obsessed: the perfect body, job, partner, vacation … the perfect life.

Pursuing perfection

• Perfection is the tale and social media the teller.
• Weddings are a major milestone that change or reinforce social status; as such, people seek perfection to ridiculous extremes.
• How can you have a beautiful, romantic, special day without falling into the trap of relentlessly pursuing perfection?
• Well, you forget perfection and focus on people.

Pressure from other people

There is immense pressure to plan a party that pleases staid family members and adventurous friends alike. Socially prescribed perfectionism is the belief that society, family and friends have unrealistic expectations of perfection of you. If your mother is in tears because you’re questioning a religious ceremony, ask yourself these three things:

Pressure you put on others

• When stakes seem high, you can end up demanding perfection from others, known as other-oriented perfectionism.
• If they fail to be perfect, that’s when bridezillas, groomzillas or monsters-in-law can emerge.

Pressure you put on yourself

• There can be a lot of pressure to look perfect on your wedding day.
• It’s common for brides to diet, invest in teeth whitening and skin-care regimes before their wedding and hire makeup artists for the event.


It is, after all, your special day, not your perfect day.

• Markforged Holding Corporation (NYSE: MKFG), the company strengthening manufacturing resiliency by enabling industrial production at the point of need, today announced the appointments of Aaron VanDevender to the Board of Directors and Board Chairman Alan Masarek to the Compensation Committee.
• Additionally, Kevin Hartz announced his resignation and amicable departure from the Board of Directors.
• “Thanks to Kevin, Markforged was able to get access to public capital markets and fund its accelerated innovation efforts.
• I am grateful to Kevin for lending his keen insight and unwavering support to Markforged since joining the Board.