By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — The Knesset opening session was buzzing with new faces, as 39 new Members of Knesset joined their veteran colleagues in the swearing in ceremony that took place in the Israeli parliament on Tuesday, March 31. New Likud MK Dr. Avraham Negusie, the only Israeli of Ethiopian origin to […]
About one-third of Knesset members are freshmen Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to the United States Congress early this month may have been ill advised, but I’m among those who find it impossible to ignore what he said that Iran is threatening the very existence of Israel. Indeed, perhaps the deal now about to be struck in Switzerland
Iran bargaining gives Israelis a case of nerves Read More »
Middle East, USAJERUSALEM (WJC) — In a video message, the hacker group Anonymous has threatened Israel with an “electronic Holocaust” over the Passover holiday. The massive cyber attack on 7 April would fall just over a week before Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day on 16 April. The video shows a masked figure in a suit and tie delivering a prepared statement, warning that
Hackers threaten April 7 cyber- attack on Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East113 bereaved boys take part in mass bar mitzvah at Western Wall (JNS.org) The Jewish charity Colel Chabad on Monday hosted a mass bar mitzvah celebration at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for 113 boys who had lost a parent. Each boy received a new set of tallit and tefillin as well as a dress
Jewish news briefs: March 31, 2015 Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — A delegation of eight ZAKA International Rescue Unit volunteers flew in the early hours of Monday morning to assist in the search and recovery mission at the site of the Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps. ZAKA volunteers will offer their extensive experience and expertise in international
ZAKA recovery workers at airplane crash site Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In the aftermath of Governor Mike Pence of Indiana signing a statewide Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement: “We are deeply concerned by the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which highlights the broad, damaging effects of the
Reform Jews ‘deeply concerned’ by Indiana’s RFRA Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Thanks to my grandniece, Jessica Harrison-Ruiz, who lives and teaches English to kindergarteners in Puebla, Mexico, for sending this upbeat Passover song, performed on YouTube by a group that has named itself for the number of commandments we find in the Torah–Six13, or more simply put, 613. I
Six13’s Uptown Passover Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)—Congressman Peter Roskam (R-Illinois), co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, sent a letter to President Obama expressing concern with recent reports that his Administration plans to “reevaluate” its policy towards Israel, including potentially reducing support for Israel at the United Nations. In his letter, Roskam wrote: “Throughout its history, Israel has
Roskam: Obama should reaffirm U.S. – Israel ties Read More »
Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is urging the Virginia State Bar to reconsider its decision to cancel plans to hold its 2015 Midyear Legal Seminar in Israel. The cancellation, according to the Washington Post, came in response to a petition by some state bar members protesting Israeli security procedures regarding visitors.
AJC urges Virginia State Bar to reconsider Israel trip Read More »
Middle East, USATEL AVIV (Press Release) — From smartphones and tablets to computer monitors and interactive TV screens, electronic displays are everywhere. As the demand for instant, constant communication grows, so too does the urgency for more convenient portable devices — especially devices, like computer displays, that can be easily rolled up and put away, rather than requiring
Computer screen? Roll your own! Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Edwin Black WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional legislators were astonished last year to learn that the Palestinian Authority was issuing monthly payouts totaling $3-7 million as salaries and other financial rewards to specific terrorists and their families. The money was channeled, in part, through the Ministry of Prisoners pursuant to the Law of the Prisoner. The
How the P.A. pays for murder, terror Read More »
Edwin Black, Middle East, USABy J. J. Surbeck SAN DIEGO — On March 21, 2015, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Reform movement gave a speech at the 5th J Street National Conference in Washington, D.C. (see http://tinyurl.com/nc6ffrk). This was an astonishing, not to say disturbing speech.He started off by reciting the usual obligatory mantra, without even seemingly realizing how absurd it
Reform’s Rabbi Jacobs offers distorted view of Mideast Read More »
Middle East, USAJewish Democrats ask White House to tone down criticism of Netanyahu (JNS.org) In a meeting with deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, a dozen Jewish Democrats serving in the House of Representatives asked the White House to tone down its criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his statements on the peace process. The
Jewish news briefs: March 30, 2015 Read More »
Middle East, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release) –The Prime Minister’s Office’s Israel-China task force, led by the National Economic Council and the Israel Export Institute, will be launched at the China-Israel Cooperation Conference at the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv. For the first time, there will be a dialogue on China combining the business sector, academia and government in
Israel and China get down to business Read More »
Middle East, USA