Poll: 52% of eastern Jerusalem Arabs prefer Israeli citizenship (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Half of eastern Jerusalem’s Arab residents—52 percent—would prefer to be Israeli citizens, while only 45 percent of them would prefer to be citizens of a future Palestinian state, a recent survey by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy found. A similar
Jewish news briefs: September 9, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — There was nothing physically imposing about Lou Dunst—a cherubic, dignified man with a sweet smile yet deep sorrowful eyes. At times, when he walked slowly by, it seemed that a stiff breeze could knock him down. But then you realized that not even the wind could do such a
In memory of Holocaust survivor Lou Dunst Read More »
Obituaries & memorialsBy Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi BETHESDA, Maryland — As someone with a disability myself, and who also knows what it means to parent a child with multiple disabilities, I’ve become an advocate for my children on so many fronts. Jewish education and involvement is no different. After all, when it comes to disability and inclusion issues,
Preparing Jewish schools for children with disabilities Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Steve Kramer SUSIYA, Israel — The non-governmental organization (NGO) Regavim* concentrates on preserving Israel’s land on both sides of the 1949 Armistice Line. Along with that, Regavim schedules tours throughout the Land of Israel to acquaint Israelis and tourists with our historical homeland. We went on such a tour recently, to Susiya, located in the
Susiya’s Jewish history not open to debate Read More »
Jewish History, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — What’s the future of this region? No one in their right mind has a convincing answer. What had been major players, or at least rich countries with lots of oil, i.e., Syria (without much oil), Iraq and Libya (with lots of it) are no more. They’ve all gone the way
Mideast turmoil defies academic description Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAIsraeli firm sells 6 drones to Switzerland for $250 million (JNS.org) The Swiss parliament on Monday approved the purchase of six Hermes 900 drones, at a cost of $250 million, from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems. While the parliamentary decision passed with a 30-12 majority, the minority argued against the drone because it was used
Jewish news briefs: September 8, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Howard Wayne SAN DIEGO — My maternal grandmother immigrated to the United States from the Kingdom of Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in around 1910. She visited her family twice between the world wars, and afterwards sent some money to her father, Joseph Weinstein (or Weinstein Jozcef in Hungarian). As far as we
Persistence, patience triumph in search for ancestors Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The walls around the ghettos in the Diaspora were built to keep Jews inside and away from the surrounding population, even though in some cases the isolation may have made it easier to remain true to the faith of Judaism and to the Jewish way of life. The walls
Israel’s refugee policy ignores Jewish ideals Read More »
Middle EastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Kim Davis is the Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses because of her religious objection to same-sex marriage. What Jewish reference did her attorney, Mathew Staver, make when speaking about this case? A. “Would the Supreme Court tell a rabbi to marry a
Jewish Trivia: County Clerk Kim Davis Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireIDF’s new mortar warning system soon to be operational (JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday that its new tactical radar system, which aims to warn residents of communities along the Israel-Gaza border of incoming mortar fire, will become fully operational in October. While the IDF’s Color Red alert warns of incoming rocket fire and
Jewish news briefs: September 7, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Becky Guttin is a diminutive woman with a large presence. She is a whirlwind of energy and creativity who sees art where others might not. She is known for collecting all kinds of discarded objects and giving them new life. She works daily in her studio on Miramar Road. She
Art from trash on display in Barrio Logan Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County