By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel–How lucky is Israel? Last week, Ben Gurion University researchers made an “accidental” discovery, when testing an experimental anti-inflammatory drug, that could signify a breakthrough in the treatment of deadly infections. My immediate thought was how “lucky” the BGU scientists were – but in reality, the discovery followed the proscribed use […]
Positively Israel ~ January 15, 2015 Read More »
Michael Ordman, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Those of us academics who teach about the factors that influence public policy can find nothing more powerful than history. Policymaking starts with what is. How we got to where we are begins an endless quarrel, with each participant able to cite a cluster of economic, social, and personal elements and
3 tips for improving matters in the Middle East Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The Department of State has designated Abdallah al-Ashqar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Abdallah al-Ashqar, and the freezing
Abdallah al-Ashqar named as terrorist by State Dept. Read More »
Middle East, USATEL AVIV (Press Release) — Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teenage death in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven 16- to 19-year-olds die every day as a result of injuries incurred from road crashes. But attempts to address the problem through legislation and technological innovation have yielded
‘Vigilant care’ system reduces teen driving accidents Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
-Combined news releases- A rally in New York City for the 17 murdered victims of the Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher attracted 1,000 participants in New York City and more than 700 people gathered at Congregation Adas Israel for an AJC program of solidarity with France’s Jewish community. The Jewish community of New York held
Rallies for Paris victims held in N.Y., Washington Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Companion story: A night of pluralism By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – In a discussion laced with stories from Torah, Talmud, Jewish history and his own rabbinic family’s experiences, Rabbi David Lau, Israel’s Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi, described his plans on Tuesday, Jan. 13, for outreach to Israel’s poor and for resolving the problem of
Chief Rabbi Lau tells of outreach plans Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Serving a congregation is arguably the least rewarding occupation for rabbis in Israel. It seems that very few derive professional satisfaction and even fewer can make a living from it. That’s why even those who serve congregations embark on parallel careers say in teaching. Among the very Orthodox, some
Knesset doesn’t need a Reform rabbi Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastSenate bill removes presidential waiver of Israeli embassy’s move to Jerusalem (JNS.org) U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Dean Heller (R-NV) on Tuesday proposed legislation that would remove the president’s authority to waive the relocation of America’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2015 also requires
Daily Jewish news briefs: January 14, 2015 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — As the world leaders boldly proclaimed in Paris, “We are Charlie” as the Sunday rally attracted more than 1.7 million people, and more than twice that nationwide. These people gathered to show solidarity to those brave souls who fought for the public’s right to enjoy
For Obama, it would be ‘je ne suis pas Charlie’ Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USAJimmy Carter says Israeli-Palestinian conflict ‘one of the origins’ of Islamic terrorism (JNS.org) Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter blamed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as fueling Muslim terrorist attacks and contributing to the recent wave of terrorism in France. During an appearance on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” host Jon Stewart asked Carter what he thought were
Daily Jewish news briefs: January 13, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There has been widespread condemnation of attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the Kosher market in Paris, with interesting differences between the condemnations. There are Muslims condemning both as deviations from true Islam, while other Muslims praise both as appropriate defense measures for the sake of Islam. And some Muslims condemn
Will French terror affect world view of Israel? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Aviva Lee SAN DIEGO — There is most assuredly a case for the Sovereign State of Israel. In the winter of 5770 or 2009 C.E. at the Jerusalem screening of a documentary based on the Alan Dershowitz book, A Case For Israel an esteemed panel gave its own erudite analysis of the past, present and future of the governance of that tiny patch of
Israel must address its messages to the young Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM–Two days following the deadly terror attack on the kosher supermarket in Paris, veteran ZAKA volunteers from Israel traveled to France to join their volunteer colleagues in the Paris Zaka unit. On Sunday evening, January 11, ZAKA International Rescue Unit head Mati Goldstein and veteran ZAKA volunteer Dano Monkotovitz immediately flew
ZAKA team attends Jewish dead in Paris Read More »
International, Middle EastHAIFA (Press Release)–Involuntary hospitalization of patients with anorexia nervosa in severe condition is not detrimental to their recovery process and achieves similar positive results to those of patients who were willingly hospitalized. This is according to a new study conducted by the University of Haifa. “This finding is very significant and should be a milestone
How to treat anorexia debated Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education