Why betting people predict failure in Mideast peace talks

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–From 1967 to the early 1990s, there was no Palestinian partner for the Israelis to speak with. Israel extended the boundaries of Jerusalem, and created major settlements near Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Additional settlements appeared here and there throughout the West Bank. There are now 50-60,000 Jews living in […]

Why betting people predict failure in Mideast peace talks Read More »

Ira Sharkansky

JFNA launches second annual Jewish Community Hero Awards

  NEW YORK (Press Release)— The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) launched on Thursday the Second Annual Jewish Community Hero Awards, aimed at connecting people through social media to recognize the selflessness and courage of those who are helping their communities through volunteer service. The Jewish Community Heroes initiative is part of a broad effort

JFNA launches second annual Jewish Community Hero Awards Read More »

Travel and Food

Commentary: Opposition to NYC mosque not 'Islamaphobia'

By Morton A. Klein and Dr. Daniel Mandel NEW YORK–In the debate surrounding the Cordoba mosque planned for a site near Ground Zero, one canard should be immediately knocked down: the idea that opposing this it is the result of ‘Islamophobia.’ ‘Islamophobia’ is a misleading term. Consider, terrorism carried out by Muslims, acting in the

Commentary: Opposition to NYC mosque not 'Islamaphobia' Read More »

Travel and Food

Natan Sharansky to headline Jewish Federation's celebration in San Diego

 SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Natan Sharansky, the former Soviet Refusenik who now serves as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, will headline a community-wide celebration of Jewish Federation’s 75th anniversary of service to the commmunity. Sharansky will be featured during a free event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 28, at

Natan Sharansky to headline Jewish Federation's celebration in San Diego Read More »

Travel and Food

Working the night shift may increase chances of cancer

HAIFA (Press Release)–A new study from the Center for Interdisciplinary Chronobiological Research at the University of Haifa has found an additional link between Light At Night (LAN) and cancer. This research joins a series of earlier studies carried out at the University of Haifa that also established the correlation. “High power light bulbs contribute more

Working the night shift may increase chances of cancer Read More »

Science, Medicine, & Education

Commentary: Why does State Department condemn Yosef's comments but not inflammatory statements by Palestinians?

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — “We regret and condemn the inflammatory statements by [Israel’s former Chief] Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. These remarks are not only deeply offensive, but incitement such as this hurts the cause of peace.” – State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley.   After years of officially sanctioned Palestinian anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement

Commentary: Why does State Department condemn Yosef's comments but not inflammatory statements by Palestinians? Read More »

Travel and Food

Mitchell: Israel and Palestinians plan to meet every two weeks

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Following is a transcript of a briefing by U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell on the new Middle East peace talks between Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: MR. PHILIP CROWLEY: Good afternoon and welcome to the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Today, we have successfully re-launched direct negotiations between

Mitchell: Israel and Palestinians plan to meet every two weeks Read More »

Travel and Food

Comments by Obama, Netanyahu, Mubarak, Abdullah and Abbas at start of peace talks

WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)– Following is the text of comments made Wednesday evening by U.S.  President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to inaugurate the new round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Good evening, everyone. 

Comments by Obama, Netanyahu, Mubarak, Abdullah and Abbas at start of peace talks Read More »

Middle East

The proposed Muslim community center may be fanatics’ Trojan horse

By Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D LA JOLLA, California–   My “Open Letter to Fareed Zakaria” has elicited many pertinent comments and questions. Rather than respond individually, I thought it better to tackle them in the aggregate and to publish this comprehensive response. The “Mosque Affair” has assumed national, even international, proportions. Since my “open letter,” more information

The proposed Muslim community center may be fanatics’ Trojan horse Read More »

Middle East