By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Something has happened to Israeli politics since the late 1990’s. There has been a drop in the weight of the largest parties, as well as a decline in voter turnout. From the election of 1996 onward, the largest party in each election has received an average of 31 percent of the votes.
Israel’s ruling coalitions coming apart sooner Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan –I’ve lived in a few countries overseas in my life, and one of the places that has made a big impression on me was Italy. Several things happened there that I remember to this day, even though they happened over 40 years ago. And with Christmas Day just around
A sad story of a mentally disturbed vandal Read More »
Travel and FoodNEW YORK (Press Release) — Statement by Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations: “The reports of Jonathan Pollard’s hospitalization, following his loss of consciousness underscores the need for immediate action for his release. It is regrettable and inexplicable that the Parole Board denied
Pollard illness triggers new calls for his release Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release) – The American Jewish Committee(AJC) described as a “milestone” an agreement between the U.S. and France that will provide compensation to Holocaust survivors who were deported from France by SNCF, the French national railway, and live in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. “The U.S. and French governments have admirably found a
France agrees to compensate Holocaust deportees Read More »
International, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — I wasn’t searching specifically for this story, and I did not know the reporter’s byline until recently, but while surfing the internet last week for some news about France, I stumbled, happily, upon Cindy Mindell’s nice touch-your-heart story about the power of “thank you” and the redemption of
Jewish ‘thank you’ story resonates across time Read More »
International, Jewish History, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha Jacob wrestles with a Divine Being. Before releasing him, Jacob demands that the Being bless him. The Divine Being declares: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human and have prevailed.” (Gen. 32:29) Theories
Eye witnesses may disagree without lying Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAJonathan Pollard hospitalized after losing consciousness (JNS.org) Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. citizen convicted of spying for Israel in 1985, was hospitalized on Friday after losing consciousness, according to a family spokesperson. “Unfortunately we do not have any further information, but we are hoping and praying since he has been hospitalized in the past in very
JNS news briefs: December 5, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In the midst of the noise from various politicians blaming one another for not solving the country’s problems, a 16 year old Palestinian entered a supermarket that serves Jews and Palestinians, with Jewish and Palestinian employees in a West Bank settlement, apparently took a knife from a display in the
Status of minorities in U.S., Israel compared Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO─ Shortly before he was killed by a policeman, Michael Brown was caught on videotape stealing cigarillos from a convenience store. Stopped for illegally selling individual cigarettes from a pack, Eric Garner was choked to death by a policeman trying to subdue him. What is more hazardous to heath, tobacco products
Humoring the Headlines: December 4, 2014 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
JERUSALEM (Press Release)–The nonprofit soldier support organization Yashar LaChayal (Straight to the Soldier) recently distributed 100 warm winter packages to new recruits of the 299th Battalion. This battalion is part of the IDF Minorities Unit, an Arabic-speaking unit of the Israel Defense Forces is made up of Druze soldiers. Today, 85 percent of Israel’s male Druze population chooses
Group donates winter packages to Druze unit Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman RAMAT GAN, Israel (Tazpit) – In order to advance scientific cooperation between Israel and Hungary, the Hungarian-Israeli scientific society was formally established at Bar-Ilan University this week. Through scientific, cultural and social programs, the society’s members will seek opportunities to exchange ideas, network, and promote joint science education programs. Both Hungary and
Israel, Hungary form scientific society Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBERLIN (Press Release)– The American Jewish Committee has marked 20 years of its partnership with the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) at a momentous ceremony in Berlin. The Wednesday evening program Dec. 3 was highlighted by keynote addresses from German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and AJC Executive Director David Harris. More than 150 invited
AJC celebrates 20 years as German partner Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Now that a clear, ghastly pattern of white police offers, heavily armed, killing black men (and boys) at an alarming rate is spiraling, we anguish. Not all of us, but many. People of all races are asking: what is going on in our country? African American parents are
Ongoing racial war in U.S. pits police against blacks Read More »
USABy Congressman Eliot Engel WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chanukah is one of the Jewish people’s most beloved holidays. We light the menorah, sing songs and eat delicious food. It’s a celebration of life and Jewish survival. And, like most holidays that commemorate a struggle against oppression, it is also a time of collective and personal reflection.
Chanukah 5775: Time to fight Ebola, other diseases Read More »
International, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA