By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Remember the massacre of Jenin? According to the Palestinian narrative, the IDF killed 3,000 civilians. If there was a Palestinian condemnation of the suicide bombing of a Passover Seder which provoked the operation, it was lost in the commotion. Human Rights Watch, usually unfriendly to Israel, put the death toll in Jenin at […]
Gaza flotilla is a myth in the making Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastRAMAT GAN, Israel (Press Release)–The chareidi alumnus of Ponovezh Yeshiva sits draped in a collegiate cap and gown alongside a former Supreme Court Justice, the advisor to the Queen of England, two Chemistry Nobel Prize winners and others who have made history in their fields. Each is being honored for their achievements with a doctorate
Ezer Mizion founder Chananya Chollak honored by Bar Ilan University Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, as Americans were heading off for the long Memorial Day holiday, the Obama Administration threw Israel down the well as the U.S. delegation to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review in New York voted for the conference final document, in which the Arab states demanded-and won-the singling
U.S. nuclear vote betrays Israel, rewards Iran Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement Monday upon reports of an IDF clash with the Gaza Flotilla: “J Street is deeply shocked and saddened by reports that at least 10 civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded (including Israeli soldiers) this morning as Israel intercepted a naval convoy
J Street calls for end to Gaza blockade by Israel Read More »
Middle EastHAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–The University of Haifa will award the “Outstanding Leadership Award” to President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, during the University’s 38th Meeting of the Board of Governors, which will take place on June 1-3. The award will be conferred upon the President in recognition of his ongoing service to the State
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Four Israeli soldiers were wounded in this morning’s operation against the Gaza flotilla and ten activists reportedly were killed in the violent confrontation. Exactly the kind of escalation many of us predicted after the Rachel Corrie tragedy in 2003, when the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) sent Corrie into a military zone
Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla; violence leaves 10 dead, 4 wounded Read More »
Middle East
Shattered windows at Shjaar Hanegev regional council building -Staff Report– SHA’AR HANEGEV, Israel — A Kassam rocket fired from Gaza struck near the municipal government bguilding of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council in the early hours of Sunday, May 30, causing some damage but no injuries because no one was in the building at
Kassam rocket hits near Sha'ar Hanegev municipal building Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It is sad, even pathetic, but not surprising that the UN meeting of parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons concluded their month long conference by calling for the monitoring of Israel’s nuclear program without mentioning that of Iran. The United States participated in the consensus, but senior officials
Used to isolation in world opinion, where does Israel put its trust? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–On Thursday evening I returned from attending the International Rabbinical Assembly Convention. For the first time in its history, this year’s RA Convention was held at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. JTS is the premiere academic institution of the Conservative Movement and many JTS scholars, as well
Female rabbis assume leadership of Rabbinical Assembly Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –As a result of a chance encounter at Lod airport at the beginning of the year I met Robi Damelin, spokesperson for the Parents Circle – Bereaved Families Forum, the group uniting Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families in an effort to attain peace, reconciliation and tolerance. Robi was struggling
Bereavement unites Palestinian and Israeli parents Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–Long time readers know, and have generously supported, Fran O’Brien’s dinners for soldiers, primarily amputees, recovering from their wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. The dinners, which take place outside of the hospital, began in 2004 and offer recovering soldiers a chance to socialize, eat a
A special dinner for America's wounded veterans Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USAWARSAW, Poland (Press Release)–Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker who smuggled about 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust, was honored posthumously by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for her heroism in risking her life to save others. The ADL Courage to Care Award, which honors rescuers of Jews during the
Irena Sendler wins posthumous ADL award for hiding Jewish children during Shoah Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Immigration is again a hot button in the United States, with attractions for demagogues of right and left. The President has ordered 1,200 National Guard personnel sent to border areas of the Southwest, in response to other politicians demanding that something be done. The targets of this effort are illegal drug shipments
Illegal immigration is a problem throughout the world Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Amikam Tanami MERON, Israel — Currently, Ezer Mizion services over 650,000 people a year. Its professional staff is augmented by 11,000 volunteers. Way back in the old days, I had the privilege of being Rabbi Chananya Chollak’s first employee. It was way back, when Ezer Mizion was still taking its first steps. There
Ezer Mizion's first employee tells some career highlights Read More »
Middle East