By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The US, Israel, and western Europe, along with a few other places that qualify as democracies are not like Rome in its period of decadence. There are no crowds at a Coliseum watching gladiators fight to the death, or captives sacrificed to hungry predators. Yet there is an element of […]
Israeli situation not as bad as the rhetoric Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — A victory of the Herzog-Livni alliance in Israel’s elections next March would lead to serious negotiations that could result in the establishment of a Palestinian state. Both Livni and Herzog aren’t only committed in principle to a two-state solution – i.e., a Palestinian state – but they have in the
Is Abbas trying to re-elect Netanyahu? Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC) — Israel has rejected a Palestinian plan to impose a three-year deadline to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as a “gimmick.” A draft resolution, submitted by Jordan to the Security Council of the United Nations on Wednesday, also calls for a peace agreement to be reached within a year. Israeli
Israel rejects unilateral efforts at U.N. Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It sounds worse than it really is. This is an optimist’s view of Israel’s condition with itself and in the world. Most of the resolutions seeming to recognize a Palestinian state are advisory. Resolutions expressing the sense of the house, but not requiring action, are a dime a dozen among
Symbolic European votes just posturing Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Are we going to have to cut ourselves off from the news and other media, in order to hold on to our mental equanimity? This week has been particularly hard for consumers of the news media, like myself. Many people thought that the evil that threatened the world had
Islamic terrorism strikes not only in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle EastIsraeli-Canadian architect wins prestigious award for Singapore hotel (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has awarded the Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie with its 2015 Gold Medal for his international work in planning structures in public and cultural spaces. The AIA Gold Medal is considered the most prestigious award in the field
JNS news briefs: December 19, 2014 Read More »
Middle East, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release)– As the first graduates of the Taglit Fellows program begin staffing Winter 2014/2015 trips and look to positively affect the Jewish journeys of their trip participants, the Taglit-Birthright Israel organization is preparing to host its second cohort of 100 Taglit Fellows at a training seminar in late January due to the already
Taglit ready for second cohort of Fellows Read More »
Middle East, USASANTA CRUZ, California (Press Release) – Twenty-two groups wrote to nine University of California (UC) Chancellors on Thursday, Dec. 18,, demanding they publicly state their commitment to upholding UC policies which prohibit academic student employees (ASEs) from using their instructional positions to promote a boycott of Israel. The UC Regents Policy on Course Content prohibits ASEs
22 pro- Israel groups seek UC assurances Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — A graduate of Yemin Orde Youth Village, in Israel, was honored with lighting a special menorah at the annual White House Hanukkah celebration in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Ataklit Tesfaye, 23, an Ethiopian-Israeli who immigrated to Israel in 2008, recited the Hanukkah prayers alongside President Barack Obama and First Lady
Ethiopian Israeli lights White House menorah Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAIsrael’s Lieberman to boycott Swedish counterpart’s visit over Palestinian state recognition (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is refusing to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem during her upcoming visit to Israel next month, in response to Sweden’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state. In October, Sweden became the first major
JNS News Briefs: December 18, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s impossible to draw many conclusions from opinion polls about the next government of Israel as they’re being published three months before the elections. However, one question put to would-be voters in this week’s Ha’aretz poll seems to be saying something significant. Responding to the question, “Who in your
Polls indicate Israelis doing some soul searching Read More »
Middle EastTEL AVIV (Press Release) — Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), affects 1% of all women worldwide. In most cases, the exact cause of the condition, which is often associated with infertility, is difficult to determine. A new Tel Aviv University study throws a spotlight on a previously-unidentified cause of POI: a
Gene mutation may cause infertility Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationHAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–Having trouble sleeping? Then you are nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to eventually suffer from back pain, according to a new study conducted by the University of Haifa. “After controlling for a range of variables, including socioeconomic status and lifestyle issues, we came to the conclusion that insomnia is a marker for
Insomnia may be a harbinger of back pain Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationJERUSALEM (Press Release)– Aliyah (immigration) to Israel from North America increased 7 percent in 2014 over the previous year, with 3,762 Olim from the U.S. and Canada, compared to 3,504 Olim in 2013, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh. A 6 percent growth in Aliyah from the United Kingdom was recorded during the same period, according to the
North American aliyah to Israel grew in 2014 Read More »
Middle East, USA