Israel to allow non-Orthodox prayer at Western Wall (JNS.org) In a historic decision on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet has voted to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer in an area especially designated for the purpose at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The new plan was approved by 15 government ministers, with five voting against. According to the […]
Middle East Roundup: February 1, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The recent Israel cabinet decision to provide a site next to the existing Western Wall that would allow non-Orthodox Jews to hold egalitarian services outside the jurisdiction of the Orthodox rabbinate is unquestionably a political victory for the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel and respectful recognition of
A political victory for non- Orthodox Judaism Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–I’ve received yet another learned essay arguing that Israel has to acknowledge the failure of the Oslo Accords, and move on. That is a tiresome mantra, with different versions from the right and left. Each manages to find enough to blame in what the Palestinians have done (the right) or what Israel
In response to Israel’s ‘oy gevalt’ crowd Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Iran’s President Rouhani was feted in Italy on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, of all days. (It’s sickening how many Europeans don’t even mention Jews when speechifying on the Holocaust.) Classic, “erotic” artwork in Rouhani’s line of sight was hidden, wine was eschewed at banquets, and Rouhani was invited
A political tour of the Middle East Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — Long before Teddy Kollek became mayor of Jerusalem, he was a gunrunner for the Yishuv, the Jewish community of pre-State Israel. When it became clear that the British would withdraw from Palestine and a war between the Jews and Arabs over Israel’s independence was inevitable, the Jews would need
Frank Sinatra: Friend of Israel, foe of anti- Semites Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Life isn’t all politics. Some things are in the hands of Nature, the Almighty, or however you want to call it. Insofar as there is nothing more boring than someone else’s weather, feel free to stop at this point. With no hard feelings. That being said, Jerusalem’s weather, along with
Want something moderate in J’lem? Try the weather Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, The World We Share
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Itamar Harari has been appointed as Director of Community Initiatives to oversee many initiatives of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, including the development of partnerships and collaborations. Harari was raised in Sha’ar HaNegev, which is San Diego’s sister city in Israel. He served as an elite paratrooper in the Israel Defense
Sha’ar HaNegev native fills S.D. Jewish Fed’n post Read More »
Middle East, San Diego CountyU.S. says its policy on Israeli settlement product labeling hasn’t changed (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) U.S. policy on labeling Israeli settlement products has not changed, the State Department said Thursday. Last week, the U.S. reissued guidelines on the labeling requirements for products manufactured in Judea and Samaria. The guidelines, which have been in effect since
Middle East Roundup: January 29, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There is sadness along with satisfaction in recent stories of Palestinians captured or killed as a result of their attacks against Jews. A 13 year old girl was shot to death as she charged, with knife raised, against a security guard on the border between a Palestinian town and Jerusalem.
On the killing of misguided but lethal attackers Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Until I read last Thursday’s column in Ha’aretz by Ari Shavit I tended to nod in approval to the accusation by Zahava Galon, the leader of the Meretz party, that Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Zionist Union, is a caricature of an opposition leader because he seems to side
Piece by piece peace Read More »
Middle EastTel Aviv terrorist Nashat Milhem vows to ‘die’ and ‘kill’ in cellphone videos (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Several hours before going on a killing spree in Tel Aviv on Jan. 1, Arab terrorist Nashat Milhem lost his cell phone in Ramat Aviv. Newly released videos recovered by Israeli police from his phone reveal a strong
Middle East Roundup: January 28, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastThe Prime Ministers: Soldiers and Peacemakers directed by Richard Trask; Moriah Films; USA; 2015; 114 minutes; English, Hebrew; English Subtitles, Documentary; Southern California Films; to be shown twice at the Reading Cinemas 14, at 4665 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, at 5 p.m., Sunday February 7, and at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11; and once the
Film Festival Preview: ‘The Prime Ministers’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego Calendar, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Kenneth Bandler NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) strongly urges Knesset passage of a proposed bill permitting egalitarian non-Orthodox prayer services (tefillot) at the southern side of the Kotel (Western Wall). The measure is slated for a vote on Sunday. For decades the Conservative and Reform movements have demanded equal rights at the
AJC backs non- Orthodox services at Southern Wall Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Is the current wave of terror in Israel, particularly around the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the result of the frustration and the sense of hopelessness on the part of Palestinians, particularly the young? Or is it the outcome of the incitement orchestrated by the Palestinian Authority taking advantage of
IDF chief finds mixed causes for Arab unrest Read More »
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