By Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — In 1934, the United States sent a team of baseball all-stars to Japan to play a series of exhibition games. On the team were the likes of baseball hall of famers, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Also on the team was Morris “Moe” Berg, a mediocre utility ball-player […]
The spy who worked at home plate Read More »
International, Sports & Competitions, USABy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — It may seem foolish to criticize Israeli democracy at a time when the Speaker of the American House of Representatives has to resign his post in order to prevent Republican hardliners from closing down the government. Our forefathers of over 200 years ago devised a Constitution in
The problems of U.S., Israeli politics Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two questions have long intrigued me as a student of politics. One has occupied us on several occasions; it concerns the explanation of Israel’s democracy. Another concerns the working of another democracy, and the failure of America’s largest religious group to do better than it has in presidential politics. Neither is
Anomalies of Israeli, American politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Some of us grew up in an era (now vacuum-sealed by the vitriolic American political culture) when you could disagree with a president on this or that issue but still honor his character and disposition. I like President Obama. His articulate and reflective persona, his intelligence and wryness,
Why this rabbi admires President Obama Read More »
Middle East, USACHICAGO (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) — A local television station in Chicago, WGN-TV, used a stock image of the yellow Star of David—the patch the Nazis forced the Jews to wear on their clothing during the Holocaust—as the graphic accompanying a story about the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur this week. The symbol was
Chicago TV station apologizes for Holocaust graphic Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAYom Kippur provides no respite from Iranian rhetoric against Israel (JNS.org) Wednesday’s observance of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, provided no respite in the routine rhetoric against Israel from Iranian leaders. “We will certainly destroy Israel,” said Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi, commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army, this week during a parade
Middle East Roundup: September 24, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
NEW YORK (JNS.org) –Dr. Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon and Republican presidential candidate, was blasted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for his remark that he “would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” “Dr. Ben Carson’s statement that a Muslim American should not serve as president is deeply offensive, un-American,
ADL denounces Carson stance on Muslims Read More »
USABy Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org HOUSTON, Texas — In a scheduling conflict of Abrahamic proportions, a Houston-based think tank is hosting George Mitchell—former U.S. senator from Maine and the Obama administration’s former envoy for Middle East peace—on both Jewish and Muslim holy days. “The Negotiator: Senator George Mitchell’s Adventures in Law and Politics” will be held from
Houston, we have a religious problem Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, USA
By Ellen Morgenstern SAN DIEGO – This month Jews from all over the world observe the 10 holiest days in the Jewish faith (Days of Awe), the joyous celebration of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah, and the more solemn tradition of Yom Kippur where one repents for sins during the previous 12 months.
Forum at Ohr Shalom to explore LGBT economic rights Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego Calendar, USABy Jenn Lindsay ROME, Italy–On Kol Nidre night that year, it was raining at dusk. I decided not to ride my bike to the progressive Yom Kippur service on the Boston University campus. If I rode my bike, I would get too thirsty coming home and I wouldn’t keep the holiday fast. So I went to
A Progressive Jew experiences Orthodox Yom Kippur Read More »
Jewish Religion, USADeclassified CIA report: Israeli offensive in Six-Day War surprised U.S. (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A newly declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report sheds new light on how the U.S. intelligence community viewed the outbreak of the 1967 Six-Day War, suggesting American officials were surprised by the clashes. “Hostilities began early this morning,” reads the
Middle East Roundup: September 18, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA(JNS.org) A New York City judge upheld the right of Jews to conduct the Kapparot ritual for Yom Kippur despite the opposition of animal rights activists. Traditionally, Jews who engage in the practice will wave a chicken over their heard while chanting “this is my substitute, this is my exchange, this is my atonement. This
Judge upholds Kapparot custom for Yom Kippur Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA‘You won’t let us have a vote. You won’t let us have a debate.’ – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina) By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA –Republicans could have done more to save Israel from presumed destruction, after all. His protestations to the contrary, Lindsey Graham and his 53 fellow Republicans could have easily launched
Iran issue points again to need to end filibusters Read More »
Middle East, USA
Netanyahu vows to stem terror wave after fatal Rosh Hashanah attack (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday night to discuss ways to stem the recent surge of rock-throwing and firebombing attacks in Israel’s capital, including the killing of 64-year-old Jerusalem resident Alexander Levlovich in
Middle East Roundup: September 16, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA