By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — I was as shocked!…shocked! as actor Claude Rains’ French police chief when he learned that gambling was going on at Rick’s Café in “Casablanca.” Antisemitism struck within walking distance of home in Philadelphia’s Somerton section on Wednesday morning. City police responded to reports of swastikas in white spray paint […]
When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home Read More »
Bruce Ticker, California, Israel, Opinion, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Even harsh critics of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik were stunned when she trumped “legal scholar” and University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill over university policies that can translate into routine criminal laws. Stefanik herself missed a more compelling element that amounts to a serious criminal offense – “terroristic threats.” That
Flouting the Law Should Not Free ‘Palestine’ Defenders of Consequences Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — In the months before October 7, Israel was severely wracked by huge protests against changes in the judicial system. Disunity among Israelis was so rampant that a large contingent of Israelis were defiantly opposed to the government to the extent that, for example, many Air Force reserve fighter
Israel’s Current Objectives in Gaza Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz RENO, Nevada — I was in New York recently to see a jolly round of nine shows. A surprise favorite was the musical, Harmony, about the Comedian Harmonists, an internationally famous German singing group that was forced to disband because of antisemitism amid the rise of fascism before World
Harmony in Unharmonious Times Read More »
Holocaust, International, Karen Galatz, Opinion, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Oct. 25, President Biden voiced doubt about the death toll of Gaza inhabitants in light of Hamas’ record of lies and brutality. Oct. 26, Biden reportedly apologized to five Muslim leaders for questioning Hamas’ casualty figures, even lowering himself to admit he was “disappointed in myself.” His Oct. 26
Gaza and the Vulnerable President Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — A basic aspect of life in Israel is the requirement that every adult, whether male or female, must serve in the IDF for a few years upon reaching the age of 18. While serving in the military, soldiers are trained in one of the many areas in which
Family in Reserves Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Opinion
By Dana Ben Kaplan SANTEE, California — This past September, I was contacted by the Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP) and asked if I would be available for another Israel firefighter training deployment, scheduled for October. I had been participating in these firefighter events in Israel for several years now (after retiring from the Santee Fire
By Stephen M. Flatow (JNS) I opened a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, and there’s a fellow in uniform with red beret and camo uniform screaming into a microphone. My Arabic being non-existent, I was glad for the simultaneous translation identifying the screamer as one Gen. Yahya Saree, the spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi
Who Are the Houthis and Why Are They Messing With Israel? Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA
Upon reflecting on my work as an advocate for battered women, I realize what drives me is my memory of how Jewish women were once deemed utterly dispensable; they were loathed and discarded after gang rapes by their Nazi tormentors. What I saw last month in the Hamas attack on Israeli women was eerily reminiscent of those atrocities of yesteryear. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D]
Women’s Groups Distressingly Mum about Hamas Raping Israeli Women, Children Read More »
Amy Neustein, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Doron Krakow What to make of a week? What to make of this one? It began with the grudging release of hostages from the clutches of Hamas. Slowly they emerged. Wide-eyed. Traumatized. Haunted. Nearly all of them women and children. They’d been released knowing that others, many from their own families, remained behind. Only
Of Heroes and Leaders Read More »
Doron Krakow, Israel, Opinion, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — “Palestinians Must Have Hope for a Brighter Future,” urges a New York Times headline. It tops a Thanksgiving Day opinion piece authored by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Hope for what? To kill more Jews? What about hope for the Jewish people? The hostage exchange between Israel and
A Future for Israel? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Mark Powell Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — Protests continue across college and high school campuses as students voice opposition to Israel’s self-defense in the Gaza war, citing concerns about collateral damage and the loss of Palestinian lives. However, some of these demonstrations have transformed from anti-Israel protests to antisemitic protests. Therefore, it
San Diego Schools Must Do More to Curb Growing Antisemitism Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — A hate crime is not necessarily a hate crime, legally speaking – at least not in the death of Paul Kessler, after a Nov. 5 altercation due to a war 8,000 miles to the east. Kessler, 69, who was Jewish, carried an Israeli flag to protest a day of
The Hate-Crimes Obstacle Course Read More »
Bruce Ticker, California, Israel, Opinion, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — During the past weeks since the October 7 massacre of Israelis, the world has heard and watched many condemnations of Israel throughout the media universe. The following short summaries describe some of the most virulent organizations who constantly vilify Israelis and Jews. Their common strategy is the dissolution
Information You Might Need to Defend Israel Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer