By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–I surmise that I’m not the only member of the Israeli public who’d like to form an unbiased opinion about the report on last year’s Gaza war that has just published by the United Nations Human Rights Council. But even if I read the whole report and checked all its footnotes, […]
U.N. Gaza report may provide lessons despite source Read More »
Middle EastIsrael confronts crises By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel –If you analyze the news for the most serious problems affecting the planet, they would include disease, hunger, drought, natural disasters and terrorism. Israel’s superb work to combat these menaces deserves far more publicity. Here are some recent examples. The risk of contracting cancer is now estimated
Positively Israel ~ June 24, 2015 Read More »
Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationGaza rocket shatters two-week quiet period in southern Israel (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open area near the Yad Mordechai kibbutz in southern Israel on Tuesday night, ending two weeks of quiet in the area. While no injuries or damage were reported, the rocket launch prompted
Jewish news briefs: June 24, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Stephen Hazan Arnoff NEW YORK –A light faded from the world in recent days. Rami Wernik of blessed memory, zichrono l’vracha, was a phenomenal friend, husband and father; a scholar, teacher, mentor and leader; a man of dignity, humor, loyalty, generosity and truth — a light gone elsewhere after a heroic struggle with cancer. Something like
Eulogy for Rami Wernik, dean at AJU Read More »
Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Though it’s still true that Israel’s neighbors are – to use an understatement – less than cordial in their relationship to the Jewish state, things may not be as grim as they seem and as they used to be. Some of the neighbors have acquired external and internal enemies of their
Iran is making Israel a lot of friends Read More »
Middle EastBy Edwin Black UNITED NATIONS, New York–While I was speaking to the packed room, a woman I did not know, sitting in the front row, slowly shook her tear-stained head in disbelief and muttered softly … barely audible … “I never thought I would hear these words in this building.” The woman, it turns out,
The Farhud–Holocaust in Arab lands–marked at U.N. Read More »
Edwin Black, International, Middle EastBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA–With the rationale of bigots inherently difficult to comprehend, new anti-Semitic angles in the Charleston massacre emerged over the weekend. Murder suspect Dylann Storm Roof’s reported take on Jews corresponds with that of a like-minded Brit twit who plans commotion across the pond. Roof’s anti-Semitic sentiments, almost as repugnant as his
Killer in Black church also hated Jews Read More »
USABy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — Yochanan Gol looks at his uncle’s tombstone in dismay. A huge black burnt circle marks his grave, remnants of a torching that has blacked out the date of his birth and passing. “This is the new tombstone that I had just purchased to replace the original that they smashed into
Vandalism continuous at Jerusalem cemetery Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Minister of Culture Miri Regev and spokespeople of Israeli culture have been several days in the headlines, shouting at one another and past one another. Those claiming to speak for the better things are accusing the Minister of censorship. The Minister is saying that writers, artists, playwrights, and actors can say and
Criticism okay, messing with the economy isn’t Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastEgypt appoints first ambassador to Israel in three years (JNS.org) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has appointed Egypt’s first ambassador to Israel in three years, marking a possible sign of continued warming relations between the two Mideast powers. The new ambassador, Hazem Khairat, previously served as Egypt’s envoy to the Arab League and Chile. Egypt
Jewish news briefs: June 22, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Verdi’s Requiem is not often performed in Israel. It requires a massive choir, an accomplished and enormous orchestra with augmented brass section, and four top-flight vocal soloists. In addition, it should be performed in an auditorium that can cope with the wide range of volume, tone and timbre
Verdi in Herzliya a triumph Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin CHARLESTON, South Carolina–Like a lot of people around the nation, I simply felt the need to be here on this Sunday, June 21, with the good people of “Mother Emanuel”—The African Methodist Episcopalian Church. Not everyone who was so moved could actually manage it, though one could feel the presence of
A service of solidarity after violent mass murder Read More »
USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — With Pope Francis delivering his well-received global appeal for fighting climate change before it is too late, titled Laudato Si (Praise Be), the usually-conservative newspaper The Washington Times recently published a very positive story about the rise of ”cli-fi” wake-up call movies in Hollywood. It was a fair
Pope, Washington Times popularize climate issues Read More »
International, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is the essence of civilization. It’s the way to solve issues via dispute, voting, and compromise without bloodshed. It need not be dispassionate. Issues are important, and at times pressing. However, it is easy to exaggerate the tensions that erupt, seize headlines, excite threats of retribution, and then disappear
When political views go over the edge Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA