Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1967, adopted the hippie lifestyle until 1973, then joined the family business for 15 years. Steve moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991 with his family. He has written more than 1100 articles about Israel and Jews since making Aliyah. Steve and his wife Michal live in Kfar Saba.
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — There’s way too much hysteria from the left wing over proposed legislation in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. Where do world leaders like Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French President Emmanuel Macron get the chutzpah to lecture Israel’s elected representatives? It’s bad enough that the leaders of Israel’s […]
Israel: A Democracy Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — On January 3, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took a 13-minute walk in Jerusalem’s Old City on the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. Much of the “world” set its hair on fire and got hysterical—a bit of an overreaction. An ancient spiritual vortex, the Temple Mount has always
Holier to Whom? The Temple Mount Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Now is not the beginning of the end of Israeli democracy, as many “pundits” say, but the end of the beginning of a more nationalistic Israel (a good thing). According to Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, the government’s four main priorities are: stymying Iran, personal and national security,
Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Israeli Government? Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Why “defrocking,” a term usually used in the ecclesiastical sense? Well, The New York Times (NYT) has a quasi-religious following among American liberals, especially Jewish ones. It is “the” authority on most things, and one of those things is the paper’s peculiar relationship with the Jewish state of
Defrocking The New York Times Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Hanukkah starts on Sunday night, December 18. It is usually celebrated during the “Christmas season.” This coincidence makes the Jewish holiday very significant in the U.S., probably more so than in Israel. Here, the holiday is mostly noted by the ubiquitous appearance of oily donuts, jelly ones and
Hanukkah: An Overview Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — A new coalition to govern Israel will emerge in December. There’s been a hue and cry over the right wing/religious makeup of the coalition, especially from foreign governments. Among these fears are possible changes to Israel’s judicial system, especially its highest court. I believe that some changes are
Reforming Israel’s Supreme Court Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Although it has been 55 years since I graduated from college, I still fondly remember my student life being enhanced by my membership in a Jewish fraternity. Today, I might have a different attitude, now that Jew-hatred (some call it antisemitism, a somewhat innocuous term.) A recent article
Jew-Hatred Burgeons in the US Read More »
Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Judaism vs. democracy in the State of Israel, is a subject that many American Jews have been arguing for decades. I don’t get it. Could a country that has had five elections in less than four years, in which 71% of eligible voters cast ballots, be anything other
Judaism vs. Capitulation Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve KramerEnvoy Hochstein, in the tradition of American negotiators in Israel’s sphere, has proposed that it accept 100% of Lebanon’s demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some minor concessions to Israel. In any event, Hezbollah rejects the entire agreement, adding additional requirements. Acting Prime Minister Lapid had immediately commented favorably on the proposed deal, although the opposition vehemently disagrees. (Steve Kramer]
US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — I received a pre-publication copy for review of A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra Built a Global Financial Empire, by Daniel Gross, from the publisher’s representative. It’s a fascinating look at both Sephardic Jews and the banking industry. “Rather than a biography of a single man this
The Syrian-Born Jew Who Built a Banking Empire Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USAWe returned home to heavy campaigning to elect a new government on November 1, the fifth such election in three years. From my viewpoint, it looks like it may be another stalemate, with Bibi Netanyahu, leader of the conservative Likud (the most popular party) failing to form a majority coalition. The current “caretaker” prime minister, Yair Lapid, who heads the leftist Yesh Atid (the second most popular party) has been increasing his clout by performing his interim duties fairly well. {Steve Kramer]
Elizabeth R Led Her State; Who Will Lead Israel’s Government? Read More »
International, Israel, Steve KramerAnyone paying attention knows that Iran negotiates circles around its interlocutors. The Iranians needn’t have much skill to accomplish that! Iran follows the same playbook time after time, lying through its teeth, procrastinating, taking “breaks,” while ceaselessly increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. Contemptuously, Iran continues to foment terror on its own and via its proxies, especially Hezbollah in Lebanon, insisting that it will destroy the Big and Little Satans (the US and Israel respectively). Yet, the West insists on begging and bribing Iran: “Let’s make a deal.” [Steve Kramer]
Iran’s Coming Windfall Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Michal and I had planned an overnight in Jerusalem with friends from New York. With the predictable hot weather (90 degrees and sunny everyday) of the metro Tel Aviv area, a sojourn in Jerusalem is always a summer treat. Jerusalem’s altitude is about 3,000 ft, so the
An Overnight in Jerusalem Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Colleges began offering “majors” and “minors” in sustainability in the first decade of the 21st century. Sustainability is taught as a multi-disciplinary program to approach complex problems, usually environmental. With that knowledge, it can offer various career possibilities. One of our son Saul’s best friends, Yonathan, majored in
Sustainability in Israel Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food