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, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of women who were allegedly visualized and/or recorded while they were naked using a mikvah. (Case #14-008073, Superior Court of the District of Columbia). The case involves Rabbi Bernard Freundel, a widely-recognized religious figure and spiritual leader at
Suit filed against rabbi accused of spying on mikvah Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAJERUSALEM (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, USAIsraeli-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
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) presented its 2014 Pursuit of Justice award on December 15 to renowned criminal defense attorney Benjamin Brafman at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Shearith Israel. Attorney Brafman joined a lengthy list of distinguished lawyers and judges who previously received the AAJLJ’s
Brafman wins Pursuit of Justice award Read More »
USAPHILADELPHIA (Press Release)–In anticipation of Philadelphia’s citywide commemoration of the gay rights movement in 2015, the National Museum of American Jewish History is launching “LGBT Stories: A Collecting Project,” a new website that focuses on Jewish Americans in the barrier-breaking movement for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights during the twentieth century and beyond. “The
National Jewish Museum seeks LGBT anecdotes Read More »
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, USA
MIAMI, Florida (Press Release)–Continuing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah Menorah by prominent public officials, presidential hopeful Jeb Bush who announced an exploratory committee on Tuesday, Dec. 17, invited Jason Lyons to light the Menorah on the first night of Chanukah. Lyons chaired the US-Israel Security Alliance Congressional Tribute last month on Capitol Hill. Former Florida
Jeb Bush hosts Chanukah celebration Read More »
Jewish History, USAJERUSALEM (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, USANEW YORK (Press Release) –“We are most pleased by the reports of the release of Alan Gross from imprisonment in Cuba and await his return to the Unites States,” said Conference of Presidents leaders Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, “We are especially pleased that he will be reunited with his
Jewish leaders hail release of Alan Gross Read More »
International, USA