RAMALLAH, Palestinian Authority (WJC)–Tayeb Abdel Rahim, director-general of the Presidency of the Palestinian Authority and a member of the Fatah Central Council, has claimed that Hamas had forged an alliance with Iran in a way that harmed Arab national security and Palestinian interests. “Hamas has turned the Palestinian cause into a cheap card in the […]
Fatah official accuses Hamas of being pawn of Iran Read More »
Middle EastBAGHDAD (WJC)–Iraq is planning to sue Israel for bombing its nuclear reactor at Osirak nearly three decades ago. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has instructed his Foreign Ministry to find out from the United Nations whether it can receive compensation from Israel. Israel’s Air Force bombed the reactor, which had not yet gone on line,
Iraqis weigh suing Israel for 1981 destruction of nuclear reactor Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon has said that peace talks with the Palestinians were not likely to resume in the coming weeks. “Instead of moving toward negotiations, the Palestinians just attack Israel in the world,” Ayalon said at a gathering of the Israel Council for Foreign Relations in Jerusalem, which is sponsored by
Ayalon says Palestinian vilification of Israel hinders peace talks Read More »
Middle East
RIBBON CUTTING—Ruthie Goltz and representatives of JNF, Sha’ar Hanegev municipality, and the Ministry of Tourism cut the ribbon in front of the renovated area at the site of the first settlers of the Negev. ___________________________________________________________ By Ulla Hadar KIBBUTZ RUHAMA, Israel–On the first day of Chanukah, in December 1911, Ruhama farm was founded on lands
Historical center will tell story of first Jewish settlers of the Negev Read More »
Middle EastThe holidays and their music, Part I By David Amos SAN DIEGO–In the last issue, I talked about the music we hear for the Christmas holidays, where Hannukah fits in (or doesn’t), and on the larger picture, the place of Jewish Music in the concert hall. While we accept with pleasure the presentation of non-Jewish religious
The holidays and their music, Part II Read More »
Middle East, USAThe Jewish Body by Melvin Konner, Nextbook, New York; ISBN 978-0-8052-4236-2, $22.00, 255 pages * By Fred Reiss, Ed.D WINCHESTER, California–The Jewish people are obsessed with the body. While the Sumerians, Egyptians, Canaanites, and others prayed and sacrificed to idols, the embodiment of their gods, the Hebrews announced to the world that God is invisible.
Book examines the images Jews have of their own bodies Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Middle EastJERUSALEM (Press Release)–The municipality of Jerusalem has approved construction of four apartment buildings next to a Jewish seminary in the eastern part of the city. “As far as the municipality is concerned, building can begin,” a spokesman for Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said after a planning committee gave the go-ahead on Monday for the complex
Municipality approves four new apartment buildings in East Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)—Mayor Nir Barkat of Jerusalem has announced that he would petition the High Court against an election process which is likely to lead to the appointment of two ultra-Orthodox chief rabbis for the city. Barkat said 70 percent of Jerusalem’s population was not haredi. On Sunday, a five-man committee, including three haredi members from the
By Rabbi Philip Graubart LA JOLLA, California–Who is the most influential writer for American Jews? To my mind, it’s Daniel Gordis, the American-born rabbi, writing from Israel. Gordis grabs his readers with passionate, cogent arguments, but also through his chosen medium: emails, which fly through cyberspace, landing in tens of thousands (or more) inboxes, provoking
Has the influential Rabbi Daniel Gordis lost his way? Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Prime Minister Netanyahu isn’t specific and doesn’t exactly endorse the upbeat news that comes from Cairo, and perhaps also from Washington, that speaks not only of the imminent resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians but also the possibility of a deal within a couple of years. But he doesn’t
Can there be Middle East peace without real leadership? Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California–When word got out that Israeli conductor Yoav Talmi and his wife Er’ella would be visiting San Diego for a few days during the second week of January, JCC Program Director Jackie G’mach invited the internationally acclaimed maestro to speak at the Lawrence Family JCC under the auspices of
Talmis' visit to San Diego prompts special JCC programming Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Middle East, San Diego Calendar, USAALEXANDRIA, Egypt (WJC) — Several hundred Israeli Jews have come to Egypt for an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of a 19th-century rabbi in the Nile Delta. Last year, Egypt had denied the pilgrims entry because the anniversary coincided with Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip. In past years, Cairo limited the number of pilgrims visiting
Israeli pilgrims flock to Rabbi Abuhatzeira's burial site in Egypt Read More »
Middle EastRA’ANANA, Israel (WJC) — Family and friends of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s have marked the fourth anniversary of his massive stroke. Sharon, 81, has never regained consciousness from the stroke he suffered on 4 January 2006 and has since remained in a coma. He lives in a long-term care facility in Ra’anana. Family
Sharon family observes fourth anniversary of his coma Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism that peace talks with the Palestinians could soon resume. “In recent weeks, I have had the impression there is a certain change in atmosphere. I hope that a maturation that would enable the negotiating process to move forward has occurred…We are serious in our intention to
Netanyahu says peace talks with Palestinians may resume soon Read More »
Middle East