I have three siblings: an older sister, and two younger brothers. Our relationships with each other have, like the sides of an accordion, sometimes drawn closer and sometimes moved farther apart. At times distance (east-west coast, California-Israel) has made my heart grow fonder; occasionally the distance provides an easy excuse to ignore them. While we …
We have heard a lot about rampant teen sexuality. But evidence suggests otherwise. The NYTimes brings this: While some young people are clearly engaging in risky sexual behavior, a vast majority are not. The reality is that in many ways, today’s teenagers are more conservative about sex than previous generations. Today, fewer than half of …
Or Ami Congregant Linda Fingleson received an award for this essay entitled, “The Gift of Caregiving” from Caring Today website. Linda writes: “Mom ‘n Dad, I’m here.” How many times a week doyou say that? If you are a caregiver of loved ones, you would be saying it almost every day of the week, for …
Though I’d rather see my Red Sox behind this venture, I am excited to report that Israel might see a new Baseball in the next few years. Alan Schwartz, in the NYTimes baseball blog Bats, reports: Yankees Partner Looks to Play Ball in Israel By Alan Schwarz Professional baseball in Israel could be alive, if …
Dr. Joseph Lowery delivers Inauguration Benediction for Barack Obama
Gershom Gorenberg writes in South Jerusalem: Watching a videocast from Washington last night, it seemed to me that half of what seemed impossible when I wrote this has come true: Across the ocean, where hope was written off like a bad debt, it has been reborn. Here, in Jerusalem, one still has to dream of …
What an inspiring week. Another peaceful transition from one president to another. An affirmation of equality, of hope, of our belief that b’tzelem Elohim, we were all created in the image of God. At times like these, Jews seek words to express the holiness and the hopefulness of the moment. Janethewriter posts Blessings for Today: …
JTA broke the news a few days ago in the Jewish world that 3 rabbis Reform Rabbi David Saperstein, Conservative Rabbi Jerome Epstein and Orthodox Rabbi Haskel Lookstein are scheduled to take part in the Jan. 21 event at the National Cathedral in Washington… Saperstein, the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, …
Israel Declares Cease-Fire: Goals Met. What does this all mean? Here are some 5 Must-Read articles that offer perspective on what has happened and is happening: 1. Gaza and Hamas: Was it about Education or Eradication? The focus for Israel and Barack Obama’s team should be on creating a clear choice for Hamas for the …
As I have said many times, the MSM (main stream media) in the states (and around the world) lacks the depth and background to make sense of what is happening in Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East. It is a scary neighborhood where Israel lives, and the MSM often misses the nuances and background. But …
So much being written about Israel and Gaza. Here’s a rundown, compiled by Random Thoughts blog. Note that MSM (=Main Stream Media) and Blogsphere (=info and insights from bloggers worldwide): Make sure to scroll down to the bottom to learn about Hamas in its own Words. January 08, 2009 War in Gaza Update #13 Welcome …
On To the Point with Warren Olney: Listen to the Union for Reform Judaism’s Rabbi Eric Yoffie and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom’s Executive Director Diane Balser discuss The Crisis and Gaza and the Role of the American Jewish Community on KCRW and Public Radio International. (Wednesday, January 7, 2009) Two American Jewish leaders, both supporters of …
Often I find that without a good historical perspective, understanding whatever is happening today in Israel and the Middle East is nearly impossible. So here are some better places to find news, and some answers to questions being asked. Make sure to read below about whether the demonstrations are filled with anti-Semitism or not. Blogger …
Rosner’s Domain offers this analysis of why Israel had to undertake a ground operation. Note that it begins with a perception by Israelis but quickly turns to the perception now within the Hamas, Hezbollah and other Arab Street minds: Previous polls have shown that Israelis are apprehensive about the kind of ground operation in Gaza …
As the war in Gaza intensifies, let us offer these prayers. Each comes from a colleague in Israel: The first, from a colleague in Israel, Moshe Yehudai, Raanana: Dear Friends, Regardless of your political views, I call you at this moment, a few hours after the beginning of the ground incursion to Gaza, as ever, …