By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I write in response to explicit and implicit questions about why I vacillate between hope and pessimism. Answer: I see no contradiction between deeming it a privilege to live in Israel and being critical of much that goes on here, not least in the realm of politics. Hope isn’t the […]
An Israeli between hope and pessimism Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Jews remain an easy target. BDS is the best example. Its leadership is Palestinian, but its appeal is wider. It’s attained the support of students and faculty members at supposedly distinguished universities, as well as assorted labor groups and a motley collection of individuals. There is no lack of opposition to the
A response to the BDS movement Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Most families have some cousins they would rather not think about. Our Crowd: The Great Jewish Families of New York, by Stephen Birmingham (Syracuse University Press, 1996) and Poor Cousins by Ande Manners (Putnam Publishers Group, 1972) relate the stories of the powerful Jewish families of New York and
That ‘Other’ Part of the Family Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, USA
By Vera Meyer MALDEN, Massachusetts — I became interested in German Jewish history and culture because these are my roots, this is my heritage. Both my parents came from Germany. Both their families were deeply assimilated into German culture; that is to say, they were proud to be Germans first and Jews second. The spirit
FB group explores German- Jewish identity Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –Yesterday, I heard Mottle Wolfe say on his daily podcast (rebmottle.com, itunes, etc.): “Jewish lives matter.” Of course, all lives matter, but when it comes to Jews, especially Israelis, Jewish lives seem to matter less. Speaking to the Swedish TT news agency, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said of the
A refresher course in Israeli history Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Where we are is at a place that some would call an anomaly. Palestine is not a country, a state, or even a fully recognized component of Israel or anything else. However, it operates somewhat like a component or dependency (another term that is slippery) of Israel. Israel lets tens of thousands
Despite rhetoric, Israel and P.A. prefer status quo Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael sends Merry Christmas wishes (JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a video address on Christmas Eve wishing Christians in Israel and worldwide, a Merry Christmas. “From Jerusalem, I wish Israel’s Christian community and Christians everywhere a very joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.” Netanyahu went on to express pride in Israel’s singular support
Middle East Roundup: December 24, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Morton A. Klein and Daniel Mandel NEW YORK — A major uproar exploded across the political scene recently when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” Conversely, there has been a remarkable, deafening silence on the official position proclaimed by Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas: “If
Double standard in U.S. about Muslim, Jewish targets Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — In their zeal and professed patriotism Israel’s Jewish terrorists – yes, Jewish terrorists in Israel who contravene the laws of the state! – and their fellow-travellers are threatening the security and the integrity of the country. A recent symptom is the pathetic effort by supporters of the suspects now
So far right- wing political parties disown Jewish terror Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –The president says, “Muslims are our neighbors,” which, in fact, they are. Newspapers, including the influential Washington Post, have run stories extolling the virtues of Muslim refugees, Muslim soldiers, and Muslims as just-about-everyone, which, in fact, they are. And because of that, perhaps, Americans have not exactly been on an
Americans hate terrorists, not Muslims Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Jonathan A. Greenblatt NEW YORK–It’s been nearly two months since the so-called “adoption day” when Iran officially began the process of scaling back its centrifuges and retrofitting some nuclear infrastructure as part of the agreement with the world powers to restrict its nuclear weapons program. Some have touted the agreement as a sign of
Iran: While We Weren’t Looking Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Michal Beruven AFULA, Israel — I serve as a sixth grade homeroom teacher at Alumot Elementary School, headed by Principal Raya Shechtman and located here in Israel’s northern Jezreel Valley. More than 260 students attend Alumot, from grades 1-6. The community is an integral part of the school, which maintains regular contact with parents, the community’s
Oh, what a difference a computer makes Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationThree hurt in Jerusalem stabbing attack, one critically (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Three people were wounded in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem on Wednesday, one of them critically. Shortly after 1 p.m., two terrorists armed with knives stabbed three passersby at the Jaffa Gate in the Old City. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the
Middle East Roundup: December 23, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The question of doing it or not is relevant to the most recent action of the IDF. The destruction of a six-story apartment house in a neighborhood of Damascus caused the death of Samir Kuntar, and maybe a few other nasties. Kuntar was prominent in a 1979 terrorist attack on
Costs- benefits of attacks, exchanges, and eating crow Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East