By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–While the macro picture widely purveyed is global warming, the micro weathers determine who gets what. Europe is reporting record cold and snow, but it is still summer in this corner of the Middle East. Daily temperatures are ranging above 20 C (high 60s low 70 for Americans out of sync with the rest […]
Israel’s firefighting resources prove woefully inadequate Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East(As of Friday morning San Diego time) Fire kills more than 40; international effort mobilized HAIFA (Press Release)–A fire on the Carmel Mountain near the city of Haifa,, in northern Israel, has killed at least 40 people – among them students, prison guards and firemen who were racing to evacuate the Damon prison. When a
Haifa fire disaster news roundup Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Obama hosted a second-nigh Hanukkah reception on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the White House, where he made he following remarks: THE PRESIDENT: Oh, this is a good looking group right here. (Laughter.) Good evening, everybody. AUDIENCE: Good evening. THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House. I want to thank all of you for joining
President Obama promises U.S. aid in fighting Haifa fire Read More »
Middle East
By Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D LA JOLLA, California — “When the Athenians wanted not to give to Society but Society to give them…, when they wished freedom FROM responsibility, then the Athenians ceased to be free.” (Edward Gibbon: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) Two scores ago, I became, by choice, a U.S. citizen. No, it was not
An S.O.S. for America Read More »
USAJERUSALEM (Press Release) — The worst fire in Israel’s history is raging across Haifa and the Carmel Forest. Lives have already been lost, and many more are in danger as Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services and JNF-KKL foresters battle the blaze. As all forests in Israel are urban forests and abut either large cities or small
Jewish National Fund sets up contribution line to aid fight against Haifa fire Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)— In response to House passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S.3307) on Thursday, Dec. 2, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Associate Director Mark J. Pelavin issued the following statement: “Today’s House vote in favor of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307) addresses a key need for struggling low-income
By Morton A. Klein and Daniel Mandel NEW YORK — It’s a constant refrain that, if Israel would only give more land and concessions to the Palestinians, peace would arrive. If only that were true. But the Arab war on Israel has nothing to do with borders; with Jews building homes in the West Bank
Commentary: Hatred of Jews chief motivation of Palestinian policy makers Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) — In cooperation with The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) has established the Carmel Fire-Israel Emergency Fund to help Israel battle the worst fire in the country’s history. Funds will be distributed via the Israeli Reform
Haifa fire: Reform movement creates emergency fund; J Street mourns loss of life Read More »
Middle EastHAIFA (Press Release)–Due to a fire in the Carmel mountains, the University of Haifa announced on Thursday that it is evacuating the campus. That said, it is important to clarify that there is no immediate danger at the campus, but after consultation with the police and firefighter authorities, a management decision was taken to avoid unnecessary
Fire prompts evacuation of the University of Haifa Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) on Thursday condemned the Senate’s failure to pass an extension of unemployment benefits before they expired November 30. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement: “It is unconscionable that extension of long-term unemployment benefits has languished in the Senate while benefits expired November 30.
NCJW criticizes Senate for failing as holidays approach to extend unemployment benefits Read More »
USABy Audrey Jacobs and Michael Lurie SAN DIEGO — As they light the candles for Hannukah, the Jewish festival of lights, Jews recall the central message of this happy festival – renewing their faith as a free people in their homeland, the land of Israel. Hannukah commemorates the events of over 2,100 years ago, when the
A prayer for peace on Hannukah Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)—The Jewish Federations of North America applauded the unanimous passage of a Congressional resolution Wednesday, Dec. 1, to support programs that meet the distinct needs of aging Holocaust survivors. Spurred by information gathered by The Jewish Federations of North America and Jewish Family Service agencies, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Frank
Congressional resolution urges care for Holocaust survivors Read More »
USA
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — In all the excitement over the Wikileaks story, I want to remind people that there’s another big story being ignored. You will be reading about it in the mass media in two or three months. The Obama Administration has messed up its attempts to get Israel-Palestinian negotiations going. The
Obama administration has bungled in Middle East for two years now Read More »
Middle East, USARAMALLAH (WJC)–The Palestinian Authority (PA) has removed a controversial report claiming that the Western Wall in Jerusalem is not holy to Jews from its official website. The paper by a senior PA official had sparked world-wide criticism and was condemned as incorrect and provocative, including by the US government. The five-page ‘study’ was authored by
Palestinians withdraw report contending Kotel not Jewish Read More »
Middle East