By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As always, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gave her traditional Christmas message, which was televised and broadcast all over the world. Although I don’t usually pay it much attention, this year I happened to catch it live on TV, and watched with greater interest than usual, […]
Home is where the hearth is Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Dr. Dmitry Shumsky was born in Ukraine, came to Israel at a young age and now teaches Jewish history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He’s also a regular columnist in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz. His column on December 28 started with a story about a childhood friend who
Is peace between Jews and Arabs a pipe dream? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The label and the concept of Final Solution have no place in Israeli discourse. What’s behind this column is not the Holocaust, nor any perception of dire threat, but the importance of continuity. None should be more aware than Jews that history does not end. And none should be more
No solutions likely for Israeli Jews, Arabs Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — When I get annoyed at something that I read in our daily newspaper (still delivered to our door), I often quickly dash off a letter to the editor on my iPhone. Often they’re even printed, but I always feel better for having expressed my thoughts in writing. Below
Is Diaspora criticism of Israel top-down? Read More »
Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — Palestinian refugees are a slippery population — but when 285,535 of them go missing from a small country such as Lebanon, it should raise eyebrows. UNRWA in Lebanon reports on its website that 449,957 refugees live under its protection in 12 camps, but a survey by Lebanon’s Central Administration of Statistics, together
Does U.N. bill U.S. for refugees who don’t exist? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday called on FIDE, the World Chess Federation, to take a strong stand against Saudi Arabia for its refusal to allow entry to Israel’s chess team to participate in the World Chess Championship, which opened Tuesday in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia will be hosting this competition for
Saudi Arabia bars Israeli chess team from competition Read More »
International, Middle East
HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) — A pagan amulet used by a senior clergyman at the church in Hippos (Sussita), a fresco depicting the Greek goddess Tyche on a wall by the church; and a figurine of one of the regular participants in the alcohol-soaked processions devoted to the god of wine Dionysus all tell
Artifacts of ancient Hippos on display at U of Haifa Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s hard to get away from the men at the top of the two governments most important to these fingers. They appear to be close to one another with respect to policies of mutual interest, and they are both at the focus of severe criticism, with many of their countrypeople, and
Comparing the tsuris of Bibi and Donald Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Binyamin Netanyahu’s days as prime minister of Israel may be numbered. He may, after all, not beat the long tenure of David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of the state. There’re indications that the police may be close to recommending indictment of Netanyahu on one or more charges based on the
Netanyahu faces foes inside and outside his coalition Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Trump’s speeches, and what has happened since, remind us once again about the marginality of Jews. Some may feel comfortable, and justly, given his realism about Jerusalem the Western Wall, and non-Israeli sources of problems throughout the Middle East. But Muslims, and Europeans, are rabid, or upset about what he
How marginal we Jews really are Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Where is the embassy? It’ll be easier–or at least quicker–building it on the moon. In this congested city with narrow streets it’s been impossible to create a coherent network of bike paths. The municipality has been at it for more than a decade. What’s been built goes from marked paths
By Norman Greene LOS ANGELES — Over $200,000 was raised at the Shalom Institute’s 2017 December Gala which honored San Diegans Linda and Michael Bennett. The successful event, held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, attracted 400 dinner guests who also celebrated Los Angeles supporters AdamWeiss and Arthur Pinchev. The Bennetts were awarded the
Shalom Institute honors the Bennetts, raises 200G Read More »
Middle East, USAInto the Hands of the Few By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — On the Jewish festival of Hanukah, we give thanks for the victory in Jerusalem in 164 BCE of the tiny Jewish army over the mighty Greek-Syrian empire – for deliverance of the many into the hands of the few. Today, we continue to
Positively Israel: December 17, 2017 Read More »
International, Michael Ordman, Middle EastOn Saturday, Arabs disturbed the peace near Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem (Nablus), throwing burning tires at the site. Palestinian Authority Arabs published on social media calls to arrive at Joseph’s Tomb and damage the site. Currently, rioters are parading towards Joseph’s Tomb in order to desecrate it. Joseph’s Tomb is located in the Palestinian Authority
Arabs riot near Joseph’s Tomb Read More »
Middle East