Middle East

3 Subjects Worthy of Deep Study: Torah, JCC’s, Mideast History

The great Jewish texts and sources are an enormous trove of knowledge, insights, traditions, and wisdom. His months at Pardes will barely scratch the surface and are tantamount to studying the initial pages of the first volume of a 32-volume encyclopedia—just enough to know that he’ll hardly know anything. But through these months, he will have evolved both respect and appreciation for the works’ scope and breadth. [Doron Krakow]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

U.S. Overriding Israel’s Fears in Latest Deal Making Effort with Iran

The United States, France, Germany, the UK, the EU, Russia, and China are about to resume “negotiating” the JCPOA, better known as the “Iran Deal,” concerning Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.  Who’s missing from these meetings? Those countries most at risk from Iran’s warmongering: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states.  Not only is Israel not invited or even consulted, but the Biden Administration has given a clear warning to Israel to desist from taking any further actions against Iran which might exacerbate tensions, such as cyber warfare, assassinations, or “accidents” which occur in Iran. Evidently, the current US government doesn’t want any impediments to its “longer, stronger” deal with Iran – as if that were possible. [Steve Kramer]

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International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Wait! Are Those Turkeys Kosher?

Some of the rabbis of the previous centuries identified the turkey as the הוֹדוּ תַּרְנְגוֹל “Indian chicken,” and thought the bird originated in India. Jews were not the only ones who thought this way. The French referred to turkey as poulet d’Inde (“Chicken from India”), as did the Polish, Ukrainian and Russian countries. It was assumed that the rabbis in India permitted it. However, this was an assumption that could never be proven since it was based on a false assumption: Turkeys did not exist in India! [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA

Comparisons Between Black Americans and Palestinians Are Inaccurate

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Black community will protest police and vigilante-like killings of African-Americans; the ongoing violence within Black neighborhoods; criminal trials that resemble kangaroo courts; and over such issues as voter suppression, schools and housing. Rioting over metal-detectors, though, has not emerged in the Black community’s struggle for social justice. Yet

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

The Jewish Agency for Israel Names New Director of Educational Innovation

JERUSALEM (Press Release) — The Jewish Agency for Israel has named Rabbi Joe Schwartz as its new director of educational innovation and of Makom: The Israeli Education Lab, the organization’s central resource for educating and empowering professionals to change the conversation around Israel. Makom works to develop new models of Israel and Jewish peoplehood education,

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Australia Declares All of Hezbollah a Terrorist Organization

(JNS) Australia’s government on Wednesday designated Hezbollah in its entirety a terrorist organization. Until now, Australia has outlawed only Hezbollah’s overseas terrorism apparatus. Israel’s Foreign Ministry praised the move, saying in a statement that it would “give Australian law enforcement agencies many additional effective tools to combat the organization’s activities in Australia.” According to the

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International, Middle East

Israel, Morocco Sign Defense Deal as Part of Normalizing Ties

Published by DPA Israel and Morocco signed a security memorandum of understanding on Wednesday during a visit from Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, a follow-up to the two countries’ decision to normalize relations last year. The agreement lays the foundation for cooperation in several fields including intelligence, industrial collaboration and military training, according to a

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Middle East

Israel Starts Coronavirus Vaccinations for Children Ages 5-11

Published by DPA Israel has begun vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 against the coronavirus. Although the vaccination campaign officially started on Tuesday, some children were administered the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine in some locations the day before. Coronavirus commissioner Salman Sarka spoke of a “celebration for children and parents who can now protect their children,” according

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Middle East

Genesis Prize Foundation Honors Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Posthumously

The Genesis Prize Foundation honored the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks with the Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award.  The award recognizes Lord Sacks for his extraordinary role in inspiring the next generation of Jews, and his illustrious life-long work as a teacher of Jewish values and an advocate of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. [Genesis Prize Foundation News Release]

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Bennett: Israel Must Change Course on Iran, Regardless of Vienna Talks

(JNS) Israel must “recalibrate” its strategy with regard to Iran, and will not be obligated by a U.S. return to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Tuesday. In a speech delivered at Reichman University for the Institute for Policy and Strategy’s Security and Policy Conference, Bennett said that while

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International, Middle East

What Accounts for Israel’s Weight in World Affairs?

Israel is a serious country. It’s hard to imagine, from a perspective of years ago. Now more than 9 million in population, with a currency increasing in value against others, and apparently able to extract two citizens accused of treason in Turkey due to what seems like the innocent photograph of the President’s residence, without an overt concession to Turkey. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Gosar Is Censured But Why Not Omar and Tlaib?

We cannot argue with Nancy Pelosi: “When a member uses his or her national platform to encourage violence, tragically, people listen.” Whenever her Democratic colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives bash Israel and by association American Jews, they are inciting violence throughout the United States, as it trembles under the crush of antisemitism. However, the Speaker of the House was addressing the sins of Rep. Paul Gosar. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA