Archive for Jewish News

| April 12, 2013
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Abbas & Abdullah Playing the Jerusalem Card

Article IV of the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement agreement states the following:

“All necessary measures shall be taken to encourage and stimulate immigration of Jews into Palestine on a large scale, and as quickly as possible to settle Jewish immigrants upon the land through closer settlement and intensive” cultivation of the soil.

By Mudar Zahran

 

The “Judaization” of the British Mandate for Palestine was the very thing the Hashemites were committed to support, in exchange for establishing an Arab state under Hashemite rule. The terms of the agreement were clear: Jews were to settle in the British Mandate for Palestine with no exclusion of Jerusalem.

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Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: , , , ,
| April 11, 2013
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Construction of new Kotel site may begin within a month

After 3 months of consultations with a wide spectrum of Israeli & American Jewish leaders, Sharansky unveiled the proposal Tuesday in New York. Now back in Israel, he will present the plan to PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

By Ben Sales

 

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Natan Sharansky said the implementation of his plan to expand the non-Orthodox prayer site at the Western Wall could begin in as little as one month.

In an interview Thursday with JTA, Sharansky sounded cautiously optimistic about his proposal to create an egalitarian space equal in size to the current men’s and women’s sections combined.

The Jewish Agency for Israel chairman was charged last year with finding a solution to mounting tensions over women’s prayer at the Western Wall. Continue Reading »

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| April 11, 2013
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WJC to meet far-right ‘anti-Zionist’ rally in Budapest

Although they rarely hold annual gatherings outside of Israel, the World Jewish Congress decided to meet in Budapest this year to show solidarity with Hungary’s Jews, who are facing ‘exceptionally strong’ anti-Semitism.

By

A far-right Hungarian priest said an “anti-Zionist” demonstration will be held in Budapest on the first day of the World Jewish Congress’ General Assembly.
Former member of Hungarian far-right Jobbik.

Former member of far-right Jobbik party burns an Israeli flag during an anti-Zionism demonstration in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 – Photo: AP

 

Lorant Hegedus Jr., a Calvinist priest and member of the ultra-rightist, anti-Semitic Jobbik party, announced that an “Anti-Bolshevik and anti-Zionist people’s gathering” will be held in the Hungarian capital on May 4, the first day of the WJC annual assembly. Continue Reading »

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| April 11, 2013
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Facebook Shuts Down Anti-Semitic Page Showing Graphic Holocaust Photos

Example: Photograph of Mass Jewish Grave Is Labeled, ‘Lazy Jews’

By JTA

 

Facebook has removed a page featuring anti-Jewish content, including a photo of murdered Jews in a mass grave at Bergen-Belsen with the headline “Lazy Jews.”

graphic face

From the Jewish Daily Forward

In response to a formal complaint by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Mia Garlick, Facebook’s Sydney-based manager of communications and policy, confirmed Saturday that the Jewish memes page was no longer available.

Peter Wertheim, executive director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the removal and said that Facebook’s decision about another 15 such pages about which the council has complained is pending. Continue Reading »

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| April 11, 2013
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Portugal to vote on citizenship for the descendants of exiled Jews

Popular support for the motion stems from a desire to “make amends” for a dark historical chapter in Portugal – a country that is described as being“virtually free of anti-Semitism.”

By JTA

 

The parliament of Portugal is scheduled to vote on whether to naturalize descendants of 16th-century Jews who fled the country because of religious persecution.

File:Parlamento April 2009-1a.jpg

The Parlamento of Portugal – Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The motion will be brought to a first reading on Thursday by Portugal’s Socialist Party and is expected to pass, as it has the support of the ruling Social Democratic Party, according to Jose Oulman Carp, president of Portugal’s Jewish community. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: ,
| April 10, 2013
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Birthright enhances Jewish identity & may even unite couples

No data exists on exactly how many participants have met their spouses on a trip. Birthright knows of several dozen marriages, although anecdotal evidence suggests the number could be much larger.

By Gil Shefler ·

 

NEW YORK (JTA) — Meredith Ross will never forget when she first laid eyes on Lior, her partner for the past seven years.

Birthright visiting a border outpost - IsraelandStuff PP

Birthright visiting a border outpost – IsraelandStuff/PP

Lior, an infantryman in the Israel Defense Forces, was escorting Ross’ Birthright Israel group on a free tour of the Jewish state when his friend, a fellow soldier, was killed. Lior was leaving to attend his funeral and had come to say goodbye. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags:
| April 9, 2013
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100 Russian Jews urge Israel to ignore U.S. Jews’ letter for ceding land for ‘peace’

“Decisions on national security issues must not be made under external pressure, regardless of its origins: world public opinion, U.S. leaders or even influential American Jews.”

By JTA

 

One hundred Russian Jewish notables urged Benjamin Netanyahu to ignore recent pleas by American Jews calling on the Israeli prime minister to cede land for peace.

letterIn an open letter from Russia published Tuesday, the Russian Jews wrote that their message was a reaction to the April 3 letter initiated by the dovish Israel Policy Forum by 100 American Jews, including philanthropists Charles Bronfman, Danny Abraham, Lester Crown and Stanley Gold, and former U.S. Continue Reading »

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| April 9, 2013
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Egalitarian section proposed for Jerusalem’s Western Wall

Plan by Natan Sharansky would mark dramatic step toward pluralism at Judaism’s holy site.

By

 

Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, will present a plan today to expand the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem to include a new section for egalitarian prayer to American Jewish religious leaders, the Forward has learned.

Western Wall in Jerusalem, 03/02/2010


Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men participate in a blessing during the holiday of Sukkot, in front of the Western Wall. – Photo: AP

 

If implemented, the proposal, a product of months of deliberation, would mark a dramatic acknowledgement by the state of Israel that prayer at the Wall — regarded as Judaism’s holiest site and a modern-day symbol of national sovereignty — should include non-Orthodox practice in which men and women pray together. Continue Reading »

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| April 8, 2013
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Binyamin Netanyahu, ‘We won’t put our fate in the hands of others’

On eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, PM Netanyahu pledges ‘never again,’ referring to Iran.

Israel President Peres: ‘Threat against one nation is threat against all.’

By SAM SOKOL

 

 

 

“There will never again be another Holocaust,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu pledged on Sunday evening, in a direct challenge to Iran, during the state ceremony marking the start of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speaks at Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Yad Vashem

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speaks at Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Yad Vashem – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Calling the Jews a people that “seeks peace,” Netanyahu noted that “there are who seek to extinguish this light of ours.”

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| April 7, 2013
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Netanyahu transfers of 50m NIS to Holocaust survivors

PM Netanyahu emphasizes Israel’s deep commitment to Holocaust survivors, says gov’t will crack down on wave of attacks on elderly.

NGOs plan demonstration & calls for the gov’t to guarantee survivors can “live in dignity.”

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he had ordered the transfer of 50 million shekels to Holocaust survivors.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he had agreed on the amount with Finance Minister Yair Lapid.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at last cabinet meeting of current govenment, March 10, 2013.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at last cabinet meeting of current government, March 10, 2013. – Photo: GPO

He also addressed a wave of recent attacks on the elderly saying that the government would “apply its full weight” to prevent such crimes and to punish the perpetrators.

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Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: ,
| April 7, 2013
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IDF officers in Auschwitz: ‘Witnesses in uniform’

 

 

Members of Israel’s IDF delegation visit concentration camps, meet with German soldiers to discuss Judaism, politics, Islam in Europe. Major Rabinstein, ‘We had to salute while German anthem was playing; this was not easy’. 

By Aryeh Savir, Tazpit

 

Unique delegations of IDF officers, dubbed “Witnesses in Uniforms,” continue to fly to Europe. These delegations consist of some 180 IDF officers from various units, including reservists. The delegations visit the concentration and death camps, the ghettos and the old communities of the destroyed European Jewry.

‘Completely different experience.’ Auschwitz – Photo: Reuters

These trips are preceded by extensive studying and preparation that the delegation members undergo, including a tour of Yad Vashem. Continue Reading »

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| April 7, 2013
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Egypt’s Religion Minister Wishes to Visit Israel After All the Jews are Dead

We hope that the words of the Prophet Muhammad will be fulfilled when the rocks & the trees will say: ‘Oh Muslim , oh servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!’

By JTA

 

Egypt’s minister of religious endowments quoted an Islamic Sunni verse about killing Jews.

MEMRITVVideos screenshot

MEMRITVVideos screenshot

 

The interview with Talaat Mohamed Afifi Salem was aired last month on Sada Al-Balad TV on March 14, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Middle East Media Research Institute.

Asked by the interviewer whether he would “visit Israel with a Palestinian visa,” the minister said: “This is premature. Continue Reading »

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| April 5, 2013
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Sharansky: Women reciting Kaddish at Kotel won’t be arrested

At PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s request, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky is drafting recommendations to decrease tensions at the Wall, ensuring that all Jews can pray in a comfortable manner at the Western Wall.

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM  — Women who recite the Mourner’s Kaddish at the Western Wall will not be arrested, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said he has been assured, despite a police vow to enforce a ban.

2010 IN PICTURES JULY

Anat Hoffman, leader of the Women of the Wall, is arrested for holding a Torah scroll at Judaism’s holiest site. – Photo: Michal Fattal

 

Jerusalem police Commissioner Yossi Pariente in a letter sent Thursday to Women of the Wall Chairwoman Anat Hoffman said he would enforce the Justice Ministry’s strict interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting women from violating the traditional practices at the site, which is overseen by haredi Orthodox officials. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: , ,
| April 4, 2013
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Jewish leaders urge Netanyahu to make ‘painful territorial sacrifices’

Applauding Netanyahu’s ‘leadership’ on Turkey, the Israel Policy Forum letter, signed by 100 American Jewish leaders, urge collaboration with Kerry & ‘concrete confidence building measures’ with the Palestinians.

 

In the wake of President Obama’s visit to Israel and on the eve of Secretary of State John Kerry’s return, 100 prominent American Jews have sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to “work closely” with Kerry “to devise pragmatic initiatives, consistent with Israel’s security needs, which would represent Israel’s readiness to make painful territorial sacrifices for the sake of peace.”

Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a meeting of the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors in Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a meeting of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors in Jerusalem, February 18, 2013.

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Category: Jewish News | Tags: , ,
| March 29, 2013
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Meet the 1st Jewish, female U.S. Air Force chaplain

Capt. Sarah Schechter is the 1st ever female Air Force Rabbi in the 40-years of women serving as chaplains in the U.S. military.

Capt. Sarah Schechter, the Jewish chaplain of the 11th Wing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, is the first ever female U.S. Air Force rabbi in 40 years of women serving as military chaplains, according to a recent feature on U.S. military website, military.com.

Capt. Sarah Schechter.

Screen shot showing Capt. Sarah Schechter.

A New York native, Schechter, whose father was a rabbi, told military.com that she decided to enlist because of September 11, when she was in her fourth year of rabbinical school. Continue Reading »

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