Ruderman Family Foundation condemns anti Reform Judaism remarks of MK Yinon Azoulay
The Ruderman Family Foundation calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately and publically condemn Member of Knesset (MK) Yinon Azoulay of Shas, an active legislator within the ruling coalition, following his outrageous and inflammatory comments against non-Orthodox Jews and suggestion they stop supporting Israel.
In a Wednesday debate on the floor, MK Azoulay said Reform Jews “are not Jewish” and blamed non-Orthodox Jews for the earthquake felt that morning in northern Israel. “Maybe we should do some soul searching and realize the earthquake happened because somebody is tampering with something that is holy to us,” he stated. “Hear our pain, [liberal Jews] are not Jewish. Who does the Prime Minister give access (to our holy sites)? To those who go against us by joining all kinds of organizations?” He later added: “What do the ancient Western Wall’s stones mean to you? I advise you to take the money you invest in the State of Israel and build a wall in the U.S.”
“Member of Knesset Azoulay’s outrageous comments directed at the majority of American Jews threaten the important relationship between Israel and the largest Jewish community outside the Jewish State,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Prime Minister Netanyahu should take quick action and make it clear this expression of ignorance and hatred is not accepted by him or representative of his government.”
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African business leaders in energy, agriculture on AJC-sponsored tour of Israel
The American Jewish Committee’s (AJC’s) Project Interchange and its Africa Institute are hosting a delegation in Israel of 10 African business leaders who specialize in renewable energy and agriculture for a week of collaboration and knowledge sharing with their Israeli counterparts. Highly accomplished CEOs and entrepreneurs from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe comprise the delegation, the fourth group of African leaders that has visited Israel with AJC Project Interchange.
“We are delighted to host such a distinguished business delegation in Israel, and to facilitate introductions to counterparts in fields that symbolize the potential for enhanced engagement between Africa and Israel” said Eliseo Neuman, Director of AJC’s Africa Institute, who is accompanying the delegation in Israel. “We thank the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in Tel Aviv for its advice in designing the program and granting us access to its impressive membership.”
While Africa is rich in natural resources, there are important bilateral benefits to be realized through expanded exchange of agricultural and other technologies between Israel and Africa. Since Israel’s founding, the country’s agricultural sector has maintained high yields despite severe and chronic water shortages, and Israel is now sharing its water technology expertise with countries around the world. For years, Africa has made remarkable advances through the integration of such Israeli agricultural expertise and technology.
This delegation is providing participants with opportunities to collaborate with Israeli counterparts, as well as learn about Israel’s accumulated experience and technological advances. Sessions with a diverse line-up of speakers, including government officials and civil society leaders, focus on Israel as the Start-Up Nation, Israeli history, politics, society, and regional dynamics. Visits to historical and religious sites such as Yad Vashem and the Old City of Jerusalem are an important complement to their agenda. —From American Jewish Committee
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Chabad and ZAKA appeal for funds to help victims of fire kites launched from Gaza
Two Jewish organizations–ZAKA Search and Rescue and Chabad–are appealing for funds to help the residents of Sderot and the Sha’ar Hanegev communities in the wake of incendiary fires caused by balloons and kites launched from Gaza.
Chabad said in the past month it has “purchased and installed air conditioners, provided summer camp for 265 children, provided much necessary hunger relief, medical equipment, and financial aid on a case by case basis.
“We have delivered care packages to hundreds of soldiers and this week we will be delivering 500 pizzas to the men and women who have been guarding our border and keeping us safe 24 hours per day. For every incident that we hear about there are 10 that are thwarted by our IDF soldiers risking their lives so that we can be safe.”
In its appeal for funds to purchase five ATVs, ZAKA said: “Every day, Hamas terror kites ignite raging fires across vast areas, destroying farmland and livelihoods – and endangering lives. It is just a matter of time before people will be injured, trapped in hard-to-reach burning fields. From the tragic experience of the Carmel Forest Fire, ZAKA has learnt that ATVs equipped with emergency medical equipment are needed to access off-road terrain swiftly.” From Chabad and from ZAKA
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Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen extends temporary protection for Yemeni refugees
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen has announced her determination that an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Yemen is warranted pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act. After carefully reviewing conditions in Yemen with interagency partners, Secretary Nielsen determined that the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that support Yemen’s current designation for TPS continue to exist. Therefore, pursuant to the statute, she has extended Yemen’s TPS designation for 18 months.
Individuals from Yemen with TPS will be eligible to re-register for an extension of their status for 18 months, through March 3, 2020. Prior to the conclusion of the 18-month extension, the Secretary will review conditions in Yemen to determine whether its TPS designation should be extended again or terminated.
There are approximately 1,250 Yemeni TPS beneficiaries. This 18-month extension of Yemen’s designation for TPS permits current Yemeni TPS beneficiaries to re-register for TPS and remain in the United States with work authorization through March 3, 2020. To be eligible for TPS under Yemen’s current designation, along with meeting the other eligibility requirements, individuals must have continuously resided in the United States since January 4, 2017, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since March 4, 2017.
Further details about this extension for TPS, including information about the re-registration process and employment authorization documents, will appear in a Federal Register notice.
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Preceding culled from news releases sent to editor@sdjewishworld.com
Personally, I wouldn’t take MK Azoulay’s vitriol too seriously as it is well know that Shas cares only for Shas and that no one else really cares for them except when they are needed to form a coalition in the K’nesset.