By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It didn’t come as a surprise to those who’ve faith in Israel’s Supreme Court as the guarantor of Israel’s democracy, but it came as an expected shock to its right-wing detractors: last Sunday the Supreme Court overruled the decision taken earlier this month by the political Central Elections Committee […]
Israeli Supreme Court lets controversial MK run for reelection Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin JERUSALEM—It’s different each time, the sensation driven by my religious body temperature at the moment, each occasion leavened by the vicissitudes of life, by doubt, skepticism, spiritual immobility or vague rhapsody—and certainly by my own vanities. One first has to get past the sense of being an intruder, even if one
A Reform rabbi’s thoughts at the Kotel Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The received wisdom in Israel’s right-wing circles and among their supporters abroad is that, if Israel could only get its hasbarah (information/propaganda) right, the world would understand that what the Government of Israel under Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is doing is morally beyond criticism and politically justified. Many of
Policies, not the p-r, cause Israel’s problems Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Even in the best of times, voting is something of a crap shoot for citizens who wish to influence what their government does. Candidates speak in general terms in order to appeal as widely as possible and to give themselves room to maneuver in the face of conditions bound to change.
Israeli voter’s task complicated by coalition politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Loren Kantor STUDIO CITY, California –Billy Wilder is one of Hollywood’s all-time great filmmakers. His movies ranged from film noir to screwball comedy and they were known for tight plots and memorable dialogue. Wilder despised sentiment and he sought to tell stories as simply and elegantly as possible. To Wilder, “the best director is
Notes from the Woodcutter: ‘Billy Wilder’ Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Alan Eisner WASHINGTON, D.C. – There’s an old Israeli song by Matti Caspi, sung memorably by Yehudit Ravitz, that sums up exactly my view of the upcoming Israeli election: “You took my hand in your hand and said to me, ‘Let’s go down to the garden.’ You took my hand in your hand and said
An outsider’s perspective on Israel’s elections Read More »
Middle East
Editor’s Note: San Diego Jewish community leader Gail Littman died on December 21, 2012. At a memorial service on December 27, 2012, the community gathered at Temple Adat Shalom in Poway, where Littman was a past president, to mourn her loss. Among those eulogizing her was Marjory Kaplan, executive director of the Jewish Community Foundation,
Gail Littman, endowment maven, eulogized Read More »
San Diego CountyNEW YORK (Press Release) — A new national survey has shown that the American public supports Israel over the Palestinians by a five-to-one ratio. According to the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press national survey, conducted during December 5-9, 2012, Americans sympathize more with Israel (50%) than with the Palestinians (10%). Support for
Pew finds most Americans support Israel over Palestinians Read More »
USAIsrael: British minister adopts ‘Palestinian position verbatim’ on Ariel University (JNS.org) The recently heavy European criticism of Israel continued on Dec. 27 when British minister expressed “deep disappointment” over the official upgrading of Ariel University Center of Samaria’s status to that of a full-fledged university. “This decision will deepen the presence of the settlements in
JNS news briefs: December 28, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — Colonial powers – France, Britain, Belgium and Russia, in particular – believed there was no substitute for their own armies and officials to ensure that their colonies stayed in line. Instead of colonial occupation forces, the U.S. takes its money, arms, training and agenda abroad. It is a specifically
U.S. money, arms do not prompt ‘moderation’ in Mideast Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Yaakov gathered his sons around and asked them if they would be true bearers of the faith. His son’s answered in unison, “ShmaYisroel Hashem E-lo-keinu Hashem Echad.” “Here, O Israel, The L-rd our G-d, Hashem, the One and Only.” (Yaakov was alsoknown as Israel). This moved Yaakov and he
A father’s last wish Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Ben Kamin TEL AVIV—My older daughter Sari and I were walking along a side street here, headed for the city’s lustrous promenade of towering hotels, swanky eateries, bike rental stands, and public docks. The corner road, buttressed between two busy boulevards, momentarily softened the big city din of construction drills, emergency sirens,
Hectic life and stillness of death in Israel Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — For those who enjoy the cut and thrust of electoral politics, this is the season to unlimber your Hebrew dictionaries and connect with the web page of Israeli media (www.iba.org.il) There are no less than three simultaneous performances of the cardinal principle, “Do unto others,” along with the lucious taste
Wrestling Israeli politicians find themselves on bottom Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Here’re more indications that the greatest danger to the future of the Jewish people, and thus to Judaism, may come from within. What follows are hints of the ominous evidence I gleaned on the first of a two-day conference in Jerusalem under the title, “New Understandings of Gender, Love
Demographics point to a Haredi majority among Israeli Jews Read More »
Middle East