Story by Donald H. Harrison; photos by Shor Masori ST AUGUSTINE, Florida — In this, the oldest European city of North America settled by Spaniards in 1565, I wondered whether any of the earliest soldiers might have been conversos — that is, former Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism in order to remain […]
Jewish knick knacks in N. America’s oldest city Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israelis are accustomed to not knowing what’s happening. With the most thoroughgoing security arrangements in western democracies, there is a lot they don’t tell us. The military experience most have had provides its own lessons on the workings of a high compartmentalized organization, and realizing that there are things we do not
Israelis wonder what’s behind violence uptick Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIt Does Not Add Up By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — The United Nations published a very misleading report recently. No, not that one – I’m referring to the UN report that showed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Israel was 46% lower last year compared to 2013. However, if you read the report, it shows
Positively Israel ~ July 2, 2015 Read More »
Michael Ordman, Middle EastIsrael’s Shin Bet uncovers extensive Hamas terror network in Nablus (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) More than 40 Palestinians suspected of being Hamas operatives seeking to establish terrorist infrastructures in Judea and Samaria have been arrested over the past few months, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency revealed Wednesday. The suspects were tasked with creating a wide
Jewish news briefs: July 2, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California –This past week, the Jews were studying about water, words, and rocks in the weekly cycle of Torah readings. The desert-wandering Hebrews were griping to Moses about being thirsty—they even repeated their infuriating refrain: “Take us back to Egypt!” Moses, a good man with anger-management issues, was instructed by
Kudos to President Obama for his amazing grace Read More »
USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — J Street and the Catholic Church proceeded on the same day, last Friday, to press for Israeli and Arab action to end the so-called occupation of Israel’s territories, and they were joined by a large Protestant denomination four days later. Ira Stup, a senior consultant to the J Street
BDS gains church advocates Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –They didn’t teach economics in my Rabbinic School. Though I’ve learned one or two new things since my ordination, understanding money hasn’t been one of them, even though fund raising has become an important, perhaps essential, component of being a rabbi. I’m grateful to the congregations I served for judging
The brouhaha over Israeli gas Read More »
Middle EastObama admin. won’t enforce anti-BDS trade provision in Judea and Samaria (JNS.org) After President Barack Obama signed a trade bill that takes a stand against the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, his administration said the U.S. would not use the legislation to protect Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. The Trans-Pacific Partnership bill,
Jewish news briefs: July 1, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Story by Donald H. Harrison; photos by Shor Masori ORLANDO, Florida — Sometimes it is good to go to a place like Epcot at Disney World to regain a sense of perspective about our fellow Jews and Israel. We may feel, sometimes, that our narrative provides the text, or at least a major sub-text, for
Gaining Jewish perspective at Epcot Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAIran nuclear negotiations extended to July 7 (JNS.org) Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 nations (U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany) missed a June 30 deadline for a final agreement and have a new deadline of July 7. Last week, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected several key components agreed to under
Jewish news briefs: June 30, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO — John Medved, a native of the Point Loma neighborhood, came up with a pretty unique idea that grew into a major success. In fact, it is so successful that he was recently awarded the ‘Bonei Zion’ Prize for his contribution to the State of Israel in a ceremony at the
San Diego native developed Our Crowd funding Read More »
Middle East, Sheryl RowlingBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s time for the Jews to honor yet again their traditions to be a light unto the nations, and to show concern for the highest ideals of justice. Our first item of business ought to recognize that any ranking of national misery would not find Israel anywhere close to the
Compared to elsewhere, Israel has few worries Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAIsraeli border policewoman seriously wounded in latest Palestinian attack (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) An Israeli border policewoman was seriously wounded on Monday morning when she was stabbed by a Palestinian woman at Rachel’s Crossing, the main transit point between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The attacker was arrested at the scene and brought in for questioning. Three
Jewish news briefs: June 29, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — It might seem a little out of date, but it was interesting to sit in a pleasant Jerusalem home last week and listen to Benjamin Progrund’s lecture about his life as a journalist in South Africa when it was still an apartheid state. Benjamin Progrund was born in
South Africa contrasted with Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East