USA

National Jewish Museum seeks LGBT anecdotes

PHILADELPHIA (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 […]

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USA

22 pro- Israel groups seek UC assurances

SANTA 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

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Ethiopian Israeli lights White House menorah

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

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International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

JNS News Briefs: December 18, 2014

Israel’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

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International, Middle East, USA

Jeb Bush hosts Chanukah celebration

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

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Jewish History, USA

JNS News Briefs: December 17, 2014

  Jewish contractor Alan Gross freed in American-Cuban prisoner swap (JNS.org) Jewish-American aid worker Alan Gross has been released from Cuban prison after five years, major media outlets reported Wednesday morning, citing United States officials. The U.S. secured Gross’s freedom in exchange for the release of three Cubans imprisoned in America. Gross, a subcontractor for

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International, Middle East, USA

JNS news briefs: December 16, 2014

Hezbollah arrests Israeli Mossad spy that infiltrated its ranks (JNS.org) The Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah said an official in its external branch has been arrested for spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The Mossad agent was part of Hezbollah Unit 910, which carries out operations against specific Israeli targets, and allegedly prevented such attacks, the

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Middle East, USA

APN: U.S. should support France’s Mideast proposal

WASHINGTON, DC  (Press Release)– Americans for Peace Now (APN) on Monday, Dec. 15, called on the Obama Administration to support action in the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel-Palestine that supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. APN president and CEO Debra DeLee commented: “APN supports the current effort, led by France, to build consensus

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International, Middle East, USA

ADL lists 10 top issues for Jews in 2014

NEW YORK (Press Release)– Israel’s war against Hamas terror, rising anti-Semitism in Europe, the shootings at the Overland Park, Kansas Jewish community center by a career white supremacist, a noticeable rise in anti-Israel activity on campus, and the proliferation of anti-Jewish hate speech on the Internet topped the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual list of top

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International, Middle East, USA

Split widens between Israeli and Diaspora Jews

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Jews have had a Diaspora at least since the middle of the sixth century before the common era. During the time of the Second Temple, a substantial number, perhaps even a majority, lived outside of the Judean homeland. The Jerusalem-centered Diaspora figures in Christian anti-Semitism, via the episode of Jesus overturning the

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA