By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM–Israel’s unemployment rate has dropped to a record low in February 2014, down to 4.9% compared to 5.4% in January for people aged 25-64. According to a seasonally adjusted study released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) last week, over 3.5 million people out of 8.1 million people are employed in […]
Record low jobless rate in Israel Read More »
Middle East
CHICAGO (Press Release)-At the opening ceremony of the 125th annual Convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Sunday evening, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) highlighted what she called the pervasive “meanness” in Washington and faulty morality used by members of Congress to support cuts to programs like food stamps and unemployment benefits. The CCAR is
Schakowsky hits ‘mean’ Congress Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Ehud Olmert has been part of Israeli government since his first election to the Knesset in 1973. He served on key committees dealing with foreign affairs, defense and finance; had a term as a minister without portfolio, climbed to the position of Health Mister, went higher as Mayor of Jerusalem, returned
Olmert case had many twists and turns Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– A cartoon in Ha’aretz a couple of days ago showed how Abu Mazen, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, wanted Tzipi Livni, Israel’s chief negotiator with the Palestinians, to add one more name to the list of prisoners who were supposed to be released by Israel last Saturday night as
Olmert’s bribery conviction ends his comeback hopes Read More »
Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – If JCC’s across North America desire to assure their longevity, they need to switch from “transactional” institutions to ones that build relationships among their members, Education Prof. Ron Wolfson of American Jewish University told delegates Sunday, March 30, at the Jewish Community Center Association of North America’s
Wolfson: Make Jewish centers more personal Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Judy Lash Balint/JNS.org JERUSALEM—When most Israeli Jews sit down for the Passover seder, they’ll wait for the kids to recite Mah Nishtana, the four questions; pucker up to inhale the bitter herbs; relish the sweet Charoset; dip herbs in salt water; sing rousing renditions of Dayenu and Chad Gadya; and knock back four cups
Taking Passover back to its roots Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Binyamin Kagedan/JNS.org “In every generation, one is obligated to see himself as if he had personally left Egypt.” The Passover Haggadah annually exhorts us to make the ancient tale of Israelite liberation feel personally relevant. What better way to make this dinner party (or dinner parties, for those who observe two Passover seders)
A pop Passover seder Read More »
Jewish Religion
Stories and photos from Mollie Katzen/JNS.org Vegetarians, and especially vegans, need some high-protein plant food with a bit of heft to keep them going during Passover, especially if observing the Ashkanazic tradition that forbids eating kitniyot—a category that includes legumes, most grains, and some seeds. Meat eaters also might want to break the monotony of potatoes, matzoh, or matzoh
Three quinoa dishes for Pesach Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Aryeh Savir JERUSALEM – a poll conducted for the Knesset TV channel reveals that the majority of Israelis oppose territorial concessions as part of a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority. 61% of the Israeli public believes that Israel should not relinquish land in Judea and Samaria in exchange for a peace agreement; 39%
Most Israelis oppose conceding territory Read More »
Middle East
PARSIPPANY, New Jersey (Press Release)– Limmud FSU (former Soviet Union) and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (the Fellowship) have announced a new global and long-term partnership designed to enhance and develop the activities of Limmud FSU and expand the organization worldwide. As part of the collaboration, the Fellowship will be a key partner in the
Alliance to educate Russian Jews about their roots Read More »
Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO-A report commissioned by Chris Christie and authored by lawyers he appointed has found that the New Jersey governor had no advance knowledge about the closing of the Fort Lee lanes on the George Washington Bridge. The lawyers belong to the prestigious legal firm Simian, Simian, and Simian. * Pope Francis
Humoring the Headlines: March 29, 2014 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The immediate irony about the current spate of Bible-themed motion pictures is the apparent endorsement of many fundamentalist groups. The very folks who insist that the Bible was written by God are happy to let Hollywood spread fantastical, computer-enhanced, high definition recreations. These movies are essentially about two
As for the movie ‘Noah;’ the Book is better Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It’s hard to know whether to smirk, guffaw, dismiss as not surprising and more of the same, or bemoan the dimming of American civilization due to a recent article in the New York Times about legislation in Georgia and other states in behalf of guns. The article describes a wave of pro-gun
Pro-gun legislation indicates U.S. decline Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East