International

U.S. House backs bill to provide $1 billion for Israel Iron Dome system

Published by Reuters By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Thursday for legislation to provide $1 billion to Israel to replenish its “Iron Dome” missile-defense system, just two days after the funding was removed from a broader spending bill. The measure passed by 420 to 9, with two members […]

U.S. House backs bill to provide $1 billion for Israel Iron Dome system Read More »

USA

Jewish Federation Updates List of Organizations Condemning AFT 1931 Resolution on Israel

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County has updated its list of Jewish organizations and their leaders who have signed its statement condemning the anti-Israel resolution adopted by Local 1931 of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents faculty at the San Diego Community College District and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.  The statement issued Sept. 17 by the Jewish Federation and other elements of the organized Jewish community may be read here.  The AFT resolution that triggered the controversy may be read here. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Federation Updates List of Organizations Condemning AFT 1931 Resolution on Israel Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Holocaust Survivors Urge Newsom to Veto ‘Dangerous’ Ethnic Studies Requirement Bill

SANTA CRUZ, California — Hundreds of Holocaust survivors and their descendants today urged Governor Gavin Newsom to veto AB 101, a bill mandating an ethnic studies high school graduation requirement.  The California legislature recently voted to advance AB 101, and the bill now heads to Newsom, who has until Oct. 10 to act. “We are Holocaust survivors and

Holocaust Survivors Urge Newsom to Veto ‘Dangerous’ Ethnic Studies Requirement Bill Read More »

Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Mark Zuckerberg and Wife Donate $1.3 million to 11 Jewish Groups

(Israel Hayom via JNS) Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are donating $1.3 million to 11 Jewish organizations, eJewish Philanthropy reported, citing a spokesperson for the couple. The funding comes from the Chan-Zuckerberg family office, not the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). According to the report, nine of the organizations receiving funding serve

Mark Zuckerberg and Wife Donate $1.3 million to 11 Jewish Groups Read More »

USA

After fall of Bashir, Sudan closes door on support for Hamas

Published by Reuters By Khalid Abdelaziz, Nafisa Eltahir and John Irish KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudanese authorities have taken control of lucrative assets that for years provided backing for Hamas, shedding light on how the country served as a haven for the Palestinian militant group under former leader Omar al-Bashir. The takeover of at least a

After fall of Bashir, Sudan closes door on support for Hamas Read More »

Middle East

In Withdrawing From Afghanistan, U.S. Abandoned Key Values

For the sake of ending a 20-year war, the demise of Afghanistan’s democracy and the tragedy of lives lost is the gravest of all failings on the part of the US. By negotiating troop withdrawals with the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group that harbored al-Qaeda during the 9/11 attacks, America failed in preserving the value of peace. Instead, it is increasing the chances of war in the region. The implications for Israel might be stunning. [Faye Lincoln]

In Withdrawing From Afghanistan, U.S. Abandoned Key Values Read More »

International, USA

Mainstream Democrats, Bowing to Progressives, Let Israel Down

It was Congress’s first certain body blow to American Jews in modern times, though Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib may feel that they were denied a chance to achieve it on Yom Kippur and had to settle for the first day of Sukkot. The so-called “progressives” in Congress led Democrats to commit an act of war against the Jewish people on Tuesday, when the House leadership slashed $1 billion incorporated into the spending legislation for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system in an emergency spending package. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Mainstream Democrats, Bowing to Progressives, Let Israel Down Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Netherlands Memorialize 102,000 Holocaust Victims

A new memorial in Amsterdam’s Jewish Cultural Quarter pays tribute to the more than 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust, the Associated Press reported. The National Holocaust Memorial of Names, which was unveiled on Sunday, is comprised of stainless-steel panels and a series of brick walls placed at different angles that together form four Hebrew letters, which spell out a word that means “In Memory of.” Each brick is inscribed with the name, date of birth and age at the time of death of a Dutch citizen who was murdered in Nazi concentration camps during World War II or died while being transported to the camps. [JNS.org]

Netherlands Memorialize 102,000 Holocaust Victims Read More »

International, Jewish History

Survey Finds Jewish College Students Fear for Their Safety

The first poll to specifically examine rates of anti-Semitism among college students who claim a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel finds that, among this group, students are feeling unsafe and, as a result, are learning that to avoid antisemitism they must view their religion as something to hide, not celebrate. In fact, the survey indicates that the longer students stay on campus, the less safe they feel and the more they feel the need to hide their identity. [News Release, Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law)

Survey Finds Jewish College Students Fear for Their Safety Read More »

Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Satire: Hey Senator Manchin

To the tune of Officer Krupke:                                                    

Dear stubborn Joseph Manchin
You gotta understand.
Can you make an exception?
Pass the bills Biden has planned.                                                                                                                       
The GOP’s are flunkies.
They’re pawns of Donald Trump.
Mitch McConnell thinks you are a chump.  [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Satire: Hey Senator Manchin Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Submarines

Israel has a fleet of five Dolphin-class submarines, all purchased from Germany. While they have the capacity to fire torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, there is much speculation that Israel also has to capability of launching nuclear weapons from their submarines. What is found on each of Israel’s submarines that is not typically found on other nations’ submarines? {Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Submarines Read More »

International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Escapees, Covid and Sukkahs Major Topics of Israeli News

Three main items on our news. First, security personnel have caught the final two escapees, in Jenin. Apparently with some help from Palestinians via Israel intelligence operatives. Second, Israel continues to give third booster shots to all those above 12 years of age, despite an FDA vote approving third booster shots to those 65 years and older. Third, the City of Jerusalem has destroyed a jerry-built Succah in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

Escapees, Covid and Sukkahs Major Topics of Israeli News Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East