By Jeffrey F. Barken/JNS.org Past the Gaza Strip, toward the rocket-battered city of Sderot, a new train now connects isolated Negev communities to the larger Israeli population centers. Not surprisingly, the Sderot line also opens the gates to increased tourism in that region. For many people in Sderot, the new rocket-proof train station, which […]
New train opens Negev to tourism Read More »
Travel and Food
By Alan H. Gill/JNS.org When the economic crisis hit Bulgaria in 2011, Yana—a Jewish mother of three—was one of the first casualties. She lost her job as an optician and suddenly her family had to survive on her husband’s meager salary of $500 a month. Bills pilled up quickly, and soon they were $8,000 in
Don’t forget Jewish poverty in Europe Read More »
InternationalHolocaust awareness program at Auschwitz museum launches in Arabic and Farsi (JNS.org) The Auschwitz museum, which is located at the site of the former Nazi death camp in Poland, says it has launched an online program on Holocaust awareness in the Arabic and Farsi languages. The museum says it gets very few visitors from the
JNS news briefs: January 21, 2014 Read More »
InternationalEditor’s Note: Following story is reprinted from the Jan. 20 online edition of the San Diego Reader Jewish center canceled singer’s show Eyal Golan suspected of sex with minor By Don Bauder Jewish media such as the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Telegraphic Agency are reporting that San Diego’s Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center canceled a
JCC cancels Eyal Golan’s show, Reader reports Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — My column in the Toronto Star last Monday suggested that Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is proof that you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. His speech at the special session of the Knesset later that day illustrated it. The probably pre-planned heckling and subsequently staged
Behind closed doors, Harper can aid Mideast peace Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)… Saying the Economist “cannot repair the damage of publishing an anti-Semitic image with only half-measures,” the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the editors to issue a full-throated apology for an editorial cartoon depicting President Obama as hindered in his efforts to reach an agreement with Iran by the machinations of
Economist should issue ‘full throated apology’ — ADL Read More »
Middle East
A New Psalm: A Guide to Psalms as Literature by Rabbi Benjamin Segal; Gefen Publishing House (2013); ISBN-10: 965229618X; Price: $31.29 (on Amazon). By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Benjamin Segal’s new commentary, A New Psalm: The Psalms as Literature is an excellent medley of numerous thoughts that Judaic commentaries have expressed on the Psalms
Understanding the Psalms as literature Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Donald H. Harrison AGOURA HILLS, California — For many years, Shlomo “Momo” Lifshitz was the travel entrepreneur who tried to greet each one of the 55,000 “Operation Birthright” participants that his company, Oranim, took responsibility for showing around during their 10-day visits to Israel. “Welcome home!” he would enthusiastically say in greeting to each
Travel: Not just a tour, but an education, in Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Travel and FoodJERUSALEM (Press Release)– American Jewish Committee (AJC) Executive Director David Harris lauded Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for delivering a memorable speech before the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. “Prime Minister Harper has conveyed with exceptional clarity the moral grounding of Canada’s consistent support for Israel,” said Harris, who will see the Canadian leader at an event
AJC lauds Harper’s Knesset speech Read More »
Travel and Food
By Sean Savage/JNS.org BOSTON — With the Middle East in turmoil, Europe moving backwards, and the United States fatigued from years of war and recession, Canada has emerged as a staunch supporter of Israel. At a time when Israel is routinely singled out for condemnation, Canada has been at the forefront of defending Israel and
Is Stephen Harper-led Canada Israel’s new best friend? Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)– The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has criticized Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) for falsely stating in the U.S. Senate this week that the bipartisan Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act could manipulate the U.S. into war, since it would “let Israel determine when and where the United States goes to war.” ZOA
ZOA: Dianne Feinstein should apologize Read More »
USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson EILAT, Israel — Nothing could be more incongruous. On the one hand you have Eilat, Israel’s southernmost town, a seaside resort and tourism magnet, where the sun always shines and it’s almost invariably warm. Its location provides it with some of the loveliest beaches in the world, with craggy mountains to the
Mahler in the bright desert sunshine Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO-The Vatican announced that 384 priests were defrocked between 2011 and 2012 for sexual abuse of children. The children whom they abused will have a chance confront their molesters in the new reality show “Meet the Frockers.” * French President Francois Hollande has been caught on camera having an affair with
Humoring the headlines: January 20, 2014 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire