International

Growing influence of Haredim changing character of Israel

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– I should perhaps be out on the barricades protesting against the growing haredi domination of Israel. Apart from some disaffected children who grew up in liberal Jewish households, particularly in America, and are “born again,” the high birthrate and culture of early marriage steadily increases the ultra-Orthodox population. The demographic imbalance […]

Growing influence of Haredim changing character of Israel Read More »

Middle East

Evidence of Palestinian corruption should put brakes on U.S. Mideast push

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Here is something that President Obama and his advisers should consider before spending any more of their time nudging Israeli and Palestinian leaders to negotiate a peace. http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=167194 The details are not entirely clear, but reinforce the larger story of corruption in high places of the Palestine Authority, the lack

Evidence of Palestinian corruption should put brakes on U.S. Mideast push Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Obama's State of the Union proves again he's a speaker, but can he also be a doer?

JERUSALEM–President Obama’s State of the Union address dealt almost entirely with domestic issues, despite American troops active in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now Yemen, as well as highly touted efforts with respect to Israel-Palestine and Iran. Also, the focus was heavily on the economy, and lightly on what had been his iconic health initiative. The

Obama's State of the Union proves again he's a speaker, but can he also be a doer? Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Aid to Gaza and to Haiti

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–The suggestion by Gaza Palestinians that they were most attuned to Haitian suffering because-after all-they had suffered an Israeli “earthquake” was a disgusting attempt to equate self-inflicted ruin as a result of terrorism against Israel with the horrifying natural disaster that befell the Haitians. Nevertheless, it appears to have prompted a

Aid to Gaza and to Haiti Read More »

Middle East, USA

International Holocaust Remembrance Day speakers warn of Iran's intentions

BERLIN (WJC) — Speaking on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel’s President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder have highlighted the dangers posed by the Iranian regime. “There will be just a few more short years before the living memories become memories,” said Ronald Lauder, president of the

International Holocaust Remembrance Day speakers warn of Iran's intentions Read More »

Middle East

Abdulmutallab belongs in military custody — Senators Lieberman and Collins

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, Independent-Connecticut., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, Republican-Maine., urged the Obama Administration Monday to move Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from civilian to military custody because he is an enemy combatant and should be detained, interrogated and ultimately charged as such.  Abdulmutallab, who is

Abdulmutallab belongs in military custody — Senators Lieberman and Collins Read More »

USA

Music and diary revive dark feelings of Shoah

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –No, not the conductor, Otto Klemperer, but his cousin, Viktor, Professor of Romance Languages at Dresden University. Most of Viktor’s extended family had left Germany for the US well before 1939, but Viktor had no children, was married to a non-Jew, had fought in the German army in the

Music and diary revive dark feelings of Shoah Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, USA

Jewish Community Foundation donors send over $100,000 for Haiti relief

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–In the first two weeks following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, nearly 70 individuals and families who partner with the Jewish Community Foundation for their giving immediately stepped up and recommended almost $102,000 in grants to provide immediate assistance to victims. Schools, hospitals and thousands of homes have been destroyed and more

Jewish Community Foundation donors send over $100,000 for Haiti relief Read More »

Middle East, San Diego Calendar