My debate with J Street’s Jeremy Ben-Ami By Roz Rothstein/JNS.org On Monday evening, March 11, I had a public discussion with Jeremy Ben-Ami, founder and president of J Street, at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. The topics included how American Jews should approach pro-Israel advocacy, whether peace is currently attainable between Israel and Palestinian Authority […]
Pro and con: U.S. Jewish support for Israel government Read More »
USABEERSHEVA, Israel (Press Release) –Two brain-focused technologies developed by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) will be presented to President Barack Obama during his Israel trip as part of a research and technology showcase on March 21. The projects, which will be presented at an event at the Israel Museum in
Obama to see Israeli technologies for brain research Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Israel has a government, Mr. President. That’s something to remember when you arrive there next week. Israel has a government, elected by its people in a free, fair, open and democratic election. Multiple parties representing widely divergent points of view met a wildly diverse electorate through free media and
President Obama and the new Israeli government Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNetanyahu’s new cabinet takes shape (JNS.org) After a coalition agreement for the next Israeli government was apparently reached between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid Party head Yair Lapid, and Habayit Hayehudi party head Naftal Bennet, Netanyahu’s cabinet is taking shape, Israel Hayom reported. According to Israeli law, the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister,
JNS news briefs: March 15, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — As Pesach approaches, we need to clean the chametz out of our lives. There is some leftover Hamantaschen business in my life that I need to dispose of. Right before Purim I wrote an article about Hamantaschen. I explained the origins of the triangular cookie, but said I
The origin of baking ‘Haman’s ears’ Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — A newlywed couple in Jerusalem was spending their first Passover Seder at her parents. The girl was from a very prominent religious family. The boy was a budding Torah scholar. Both came from families of sterling character and reputation. During the meal, the young man noticed something floating
The Passover case of the stray wheat grain Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– After a traumatic crisis in a group, it’s not unusual to send in counselors to help the survivors heal. The new government of Israel will need a strong team of such experts, for it’s difficult to imagine how the prime minister will conduct business in the presence of the Terrible Two
Counseling needed for many Israeli politicians? Read More »
Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release) — On the evening of Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 Associated Students of UCSD passed a symbolic resolution urging the UC regents to divest from an expansive list of American companies who do business with Israel. The student organizations at UCSD representing the Jewish and Israeli communities strongly condemn the passing of
UCSD’s Pro-Israel community reacts to divestment resolution Read More »
Travel and FoodBy James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. — Next week, President Obama will make his first visit to Israel as president. The bonds that exist between Jerusalem and Washington are built upon mutual strategic interests and a solid foundation of shared cultural and political values. At the same time, both countries face common threats where cooperation and
Hoped-for outcomes from Obama’s Israel trip Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL) led a bipartisan effort to aid Israel in improving and enhancing its missile defense system. A bipartisan coalition of 63 members of Congress introduced the Iron Dome Act of 2013 to authorize the President to provide assistance for the procurement, maintenance,
Davis introduces Iron Dome continuing authorization act Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–With great anticipation, I was intrigued who the next Pope was going to be. Then the news came on the airwaves: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was chosen the next Pope; and he has chosen the name, “Francis I,” after the St. Francis of Assisi because he
The new Pope is a mentsch Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — There seems to be little excitement about Israel’s next government to be sworn in next week after protracted and convoluted coalition negotiations. Though the smoke from its chimney isn’t very white, there’s relief that we won’t have to go to elections again. The public is said to be tired
Settlers in, religious parties out in new government Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is not for nice people. Sure, there are required smiles, and even hugs for those current with the fashions. Hand shakes and back slaps have been around for a long time. But the demonstrations of warmth are not likely to be genuine. The work is too hard, and most
Politics is a nasty business Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastCoalition deal to form next Israeli government reached after 39 days of negotiation (JNS.org) At the culmination of a long, complex and nerve-wracking negotiation—lasting a whopping 39 days—the coalition agreements that will finalize the next Israeli government have come to fruition, Israel Hayom reported. “We did our best with 31 Knesset seats; we are still
JNS news briefs: March 14, 2013 Read More »
International