International

Judah, Reuben, David, Bill Clinton, and Other Flawed Leaders

The theme of leadership is an important topic in Parshat Vyehi. Although Joseph was the nation’s political leader, the brothers never chose Joseph to be their family leader. Instead, they chose Judah. Historically, in the days of the First Temple, Israel became divided between the nation of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel. Rivalry persisted between these nations for centuries. Yet, history proved that the tribe of Judah retained its leadership over the other tribes. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Judah, Reuben, David, Bill Clinton, and Other Flawed Leaders Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

Israel and India Look to Expand Cooperation, Boost Military Capabilities

By Yaakov Lappin (JNS) Israel and India are set to expand their cooperation further just weeks after a historic visit by India’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane. Navarne met with senior Israel Defense Forces officials, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and IDF Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai.

Israel and India Look to Expand Cooperation, Boost Military Capabilities Read More »

International, Middle East

AIPAC Joining Political Campaign Finance Arena

By Dmitriy Shapiro (JNS) For the first time in its existence, AIPAC plans to support financially the campaigns of pro-Israel incumbents and candidates by forming two political action committees. AIPAC president Betsy Berns Korn announced the creation of the two PACs on Thursday, saying the current political environment necessitates the change. “Throughout AIPAC’s history, the

AIPAC Joining Political Campaign Finance Arena Read More »

Middle East, USA

IAEA Calls for Answers on Camera Recordings that Disappeared in Iran

Published by DPA The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that questions remain about surveillance camera recordings at a centrifuge parts plant in Iran that have disappeared. Tehran has yet to provide a convincing explanation about the recordings, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in Vienna. “We have doubts,” he said during a news

IAEA Calls for Answers on Camera Recordings that Disappeared in Iran Read More »

Middle East

Behind the Scenes of US-Israel Tension Over Iran

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It is alarming, if not surprising, that Israeli and American officials are clashing over whether to revive a nuclear-arms deal with Iran or initiate military action. The New York Times reports in the opening paragraph of a Dec. 10 article that two Israeli officials left Washington last week “concerned

Behind the Scenes of US-Israel Tension Over Iran Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Basketball Net Designed by ‘Jewish Jordan’ Scores Deals in Industry

By Eliana Rudee (JNS) Former professional American-Israeli basketball player Tamir Goodman, known informally as “The Jewish Jordan,”’ has made leaps and bounds on the court as a player, coach and educator, and now, he has started a new sports-equipment innovation company called “Aviv.” Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand was catalyzed by growing concerns around

Basketball Net Designed by ‘Jewish Jordan’ Scores Deals in Industry Read More »

Middle East, Sports & Competitions, USA

Syrian Media: Soldier Killed in Israeli Strike Near As-Suwayda

(JNS) A Syrian soldier was killed early on Thursday by an Israeli missile strike in southern Syria, according to official Syrian media reports. Shortly before 1 a.m., Syrian air defenses were triggered by Israeli missiles coming from the direction of the Golan Heights, a Syrian military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The

Syrian Media: Soldier Killed in Israeli Strike Near As-Suwayda Read More »

Middle East

Israel Approves Aid for Tourism Sector

(JNS) Israel extended COVID-19 travel restrictions on Wednesday, adding Britain and Denmark to the list of “red” countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The government also extended the regulations restricting entry to and exit from Israel by an additional week until Dec. 29. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and key government

Israel Approves Aid for Tourism Sector Read More »

International, Middle East

Israel Radio’s Assault on Classical Music

The much-loved Israel Broadcasting Association was disbanded (some say this was politically-motivated). Many of the familiar names and individuals vanished and a general shake-up of the tried and tested programming was introduced. Many new programs were introduced, but it was a relief to find that the classical music program could continue, albeit with set hours devoted to jazz and oriental music [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Israel Radio’s Assault on Classical Music Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Young JNF Philanthropists Support Israel’s Fire and Rescue Team

Nearly 50 young professionals came together at a private residence where they networked with other local Zionists and learned how JNF-USA partners (donors) play a direct role in keeping the land and people of Israel safe by aiding its heroic first responders. [Jewish National Fund-USA]

Young JNF Philanthropists Support Israel’s Fire and Rescue Team Read More »

Middle East, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA

Berdichevsky’s Yiddish Stories Collected and Retold in English

Journalist, scholar and author M. Y. Berdichevsky (1865 – 1921) wrote for two different audiences. For the intelligentsia he wrote in Hebrew and German; for unsophisticated Eastern European Jews, he chose Yiddish, the language of the shtetl, small towns comprised mostly of Jews. Raised in Medzhibozh, western Ukraine, by his Hasidic father, the town’s rabbi, he spent his youth immersed in Judaism, but also began reading books produced in the Haskalah, Jewish Enlightenment, whose goals included preservation of Jewish heritage, revival of Hebrew, and integrating Jews into the ambient secular culture. [Fred R. Reiss, Ed.D]

Berdichevsky’s Yiddish Stories Collected and Retold in English Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International