Land of Israel

2024-05-05

The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) affiliate at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) has stirred controversy with its demands for a boycott of Jewish student organizations on campus. In a document outlining their demands, SJP called for a "complete academic boycott," urging the university to sever ties with what they referred to as "zionist institutions," including the Hellen Diller Foundation, Koret Foundation, Israel Institute, and Hillel International. The demands, which were circulated among students and faculty, have sparked debate and concern within the university community. Many see the call for a boycott of Jewish organizations as an affront to academic freedom and a violation of principles of. The Hellen Diller Family Foundation, one of the organizations targeted by SJP's demands, is known for its support of Jewish community activities, including an international leadership development program for Jewish teens.  Despite the misspelling of its name in the document, the foundation's contributions to Jewish cultural and educational initiatives are widely recognized. This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. Hillel International, another organization singled out by SJP, is a prominent Jewish student organization operating on campuses across North America. The group provides resources and support for Jewish students, fostering connections to Jewish culture, education, and the Land of Israel. SJP's demands also include calls for the university to "end the targeted repression and policing of pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus" and to "protect free speech" by rolling back any academic discipline imposed on protesters. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-04

Over 150 years ago, Henry Baker Tristram, a British clergyman, Bible scholar, explorer, and ornithologist from rural northeastern England, stood under the blue skies of the Land of Israel and marveled at the sight of the soaring . “I do not think that I ever surveyed a landscape without its being enlivened by the circling party of griffons,” wrote Tristram, who documented thousands of griffon vultures, among other wildlife species, during his 1864 visit to the Holy Land. The reality of the griffon vulture has vastly changed since that time. The bird of prey is considered critically endangered in Israel and across the . Indeed, until the 1950s, there were still an estimated 1,000 pairs of vultures. Today, there are fewer than 200 such birds in Israel. Most of the vulture population resides in southern Israel, including the Negev Highlands, the cliffs above the Ramon Crater, and the Judean desert – as well as a few nesting areas in northern Israel, including the Carmel hills. For residents of Midreshet Ben-Gurion, a yishuv next to Kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev Highlands, watching Israel’s largest raptor soaring in the blue skies is a familiar sight. A VULTURE in the Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in the Carmel. (credit: Olga Rybak/INPA) “The last thing we want is to see is the birds disappear from the sky,” said Tamar Berger, a mother of four and resident of Midreshet Ben-Gurion for over 20 years. “On Shabbat, we go to see the vultures nesting. They are part of our life here. For me, the desert without vultures would be like a world without a blue sky. They are integral to the desert landscape.” Other residents, such as Shany Shainock, described watching the vultures as they drank their coffee in the morning. “Nearly a decade ago, we would see a flock of maybe 14 vultures – it was a truly amazing sight, as our home is located right next to the cliffs where they nest. Then for a few years, we didn’t see any vultures. Today, when we see maybe three or four vultures, it’s very exciting.” According to Yigal Miller, the retired manager of programs for endangered raptors at (INPA), the numbers are not optimistic. “There are between 180 to 200 individual vultures inhabiting Israel today,” he told the Magazine in an interview several months ago. “We are hanging by our fingernails,” said Miller, who has over 30 years of experience reviving the vulture population; a difficult task given their slow rate of reproduction at only one chick per year and the fact that they only reach sexual maturity at around 56 years of age. “Success is not the chick itself,” he added. “Success happens when that chick becomes fully grown and is able to breed and bring another chick into the world,” explained Miller. But along the way, there are major obstacles that griffon vultures must unfortunately contend with. Today, for example, poisoning plays a critical role in the declining numbers of griffon vultures in Israel, as well as globally – in addition to water shortages and habitat disappearance. While in the past, electrocutions were a major factor, today toxic chemicals in pesticides or chemicals used by farmers to poison carcasses – designated to kill livestock predators – and even misuse of veterinary drugs that prove deadly – have often found their way to vultures. Just in the month of March this year, eight griffon vultures, in addition to other wildlife including two Egyptian vultures and a kite, were found poisoned to death in southern Israel, after having consumed carrion that had been treated by drugs. One of those griffon vultures was born in a special breeding center at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo six years ago. This was not the first time that vultures have been impacted in this way. In October 2021, a total of 12 griffon vultures were found dead in the Judean desert from poisoning. And in northern Israel, griffon vultures have also been poisoned. In May 2019, eight griffon vultures were found dead (out of a population of 20) in the Golan Heights, apparently having eaten from the poisoned carcass of a cow. These poisonings dealt a huge blow to the griffon vulture population in the North and South of the country, which today stands at less than 190 vultures. “There is no oversight over the use of toxic chemicals,” Miller explained. “Maybe once over my career, someone was caught and had to pay a fine, but most of the time people do what they want with poisons without any thought to the harm done to the nature around them. There are rarely any legal repercussions.” As nature’s clean-up crew, griffon vultures, with their long necks, strong hooked bills, and wingspan of 2.5 meters, easily locate carrion and feast on it. Their highly acidic stomach and digestive systems are able to neutralize the toxins in the rotting flesh. The vultures’ function helps naturally take care of the dead animals and prevent the spread of diseases, such as rabies. The INPA, in collaboration with other organizations, has taken several important measures over the years to prevent the extinction of the griffon vulture, such as running an extensive management program; providing contaminant-free food in supplementary feeding stations; individually tracking vultures with GPS transmitters; and raising and releasing captive-bred griffons to the wild – led by Miller and fellow INPA avian ecologist, Ohad Hatzofe. The Porsim Kanaf (Spreading Wings) project, for example, is a joint collaboration of the INPA, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), and the Israeli Electric Company (IEC) and was born out of the electrocution issue. The project was established in 1996 to protect and rehabilitate the vulture population of northern Israel and thus prevent their complete extinction in the North. “In the past, high-voltage electrocutions of the vultures and other large raptors were a huge problem,” Hatzofe told the Magazine. “However, the Israeli Electric Company took responsibility and provided insulation for high-voltage wires, which helped scale down the number of dead and injured vultures dramatically,” he explained. OTHER PRECAUTIONS that have helped southern Israel’s vulture population remain stable include steps taken by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). In the Negev Highlands, Hatzofe noted that the IAF is careful not to fly too low in the area to prevent collisions with the vultures and disturbances to their environment. However, in a rare incident, last summer a griffon vulture collided with an Apache helicopter whose pilot was flying in an authorized corridor. The pilot was forced to carry out an emergency landing in the Sde Boker area, and the vulture died. As part of the Porsim Kanaf project, which places satellite transmitters on Israel’s critically endangered birds of prey, authorities were able to figure out what happened, thanks to a satellite transmitter attached to the downed griffon vulture. Other man-made obstacles arise, according to Hatzofe, when hikers do not keep to the marked trails and use drones to film their hikes, in addition to leaving behind garbage, all of which also harm the vultures and their habitat. Furthering public awareness about the plight of Israel’s vultures took a unique turn last summer when INPA teamed up with Nesher Malt, Israel’s popular root beer company which has the image of the vulture on its blue sky label and is its namesake (nesher means “vulture” in Hebrew). In a special campaign that eventually went viral, Nesher Malt removed the image of the vulture from its label as a way of alerting the public’s attention to the endangered vulture. The company put out a limited edition of its new bottle label and was able to engage the public and the media in a meaningful conversation. Everyone from media personalities from Israel’s major news networks to the average grocery shopper and Instagram users were talking about the missing vultures from the familiar blue labels and what could be done to help. Following the campaign, the Environmental Protection Ministry designated $7.5 million to INPA for a four-year program aimed at saving the vulture population. The funding will go toward establishing safe feeding stations and the cleaning up of garbage and unsafe farm animal carcasses close to the nesting spots of the vultures, in areas where local governance is limited, such as the Bedouin communities of the Galilee, Golan Heights, Wadi Ara, and the Negev. “The budget we approved will help establish the infrastructure required to achieve these goals, thus streamlining the protection of the vultures against poisoning,” said Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman last year. For local residents of Midreshet Ben-Gurion, raising awareness and instilling the young members of society with a meaningful appreciation for the vultures is critical. Berger told the Magazine how she and her husband, Haim, organized a campaign last year at the local elementary school, where students created stickers and magnets with slogans to save the vultures and handed them out to tourists and locals. “It’s terrible to imagine that one day we may wake up to a sky without vultures,’’ Berger said. “We want to raise a generation of kids that care about their surroundings and will work to protect the wildlife and nature around them,’’ she said. It is not surprising, therefore, that seniors at the local High School for Environmental Studies in Midreshet Ben-Gurion created an impressive figure of a vulture made from recycled materials, including tires for wings, for their annual Purim Adloyada parade in 2023 and subsequently donated it to the INPA. “The awareness and knowledge of the vulture situation is so important – for farmers, extreme sports enthusiasts, hikers, students, and, of course, the general public,” added Miller. “It’s not just our fight – it’s everyone’s. The presence of these vultures is a reflection of our souls – you look up and see vultures soaring. That is a moving experience that humankind has enjoyed for thousands of years, since biblical times. Let’s not let it end now,” concluded Miller. Henry Baker Tristram would surely have agreed.   Anav Silverman made aliyah from Calais, Maine, in 2004. She works as an English teacher in Midreshet Ben-Gurion, where she lives with her family. The Environment and Climate Change portal is produced in cooperation with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Jerusalem Post maintains all editorial decisions related to the content. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-02

On October 7, 2023, the morning of Simchat Torah, David Meir, 31 years old, was at home with his wife, Anat, and his seven-month-old baby, Shaked. A reserve fighter in a patrol unit, David was called up by the army that Saturday. He said goodbye to his wife and son without thinking twice and went south. David heroically fought in Kibbutz Be'eri. After being shot with a friend, they dragged themselves under a building and held out for 45 minutes until the rescue forces arrived. He had time to say a few last words to his friend: "Tell my wife I love her and our son and that I'm sorry." Seven months later, Anat will light the torch at the for the English-speaking community organized by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO), The Jerusalem Post, and the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem (MOTJ). The event will take place at the Museum on the night of May 12, 2024 (doors open at 7:15 p.m.) To register for the Yom Hazikaron event, "David was a man of people, loved by so many," says Anat. He managed to win hearts in a second. He knew how to approach everyone and talk to them; he was always interested in getting to know the person standing in front of him." "He always noticed everything and was the first to jump in when someone needed help.," she adds. "Everyone was always impressed with him. When David was around, everyone knew they didn't have to worry. He knew how to do everything, and what he didn't know, he just learned." Anat also explains that David never stopped smiling. He loved life and lived it to the fullest in every moment. He loved to travel and never stopped singing. He loved the songs of the old Land of Israel and knew all the words. For him, the perfect pastime was an evening of poetry. He could have a long conversation with any person, a two-year-old child, and a 90-year-old adult. David loved Israel and was ready to sacrifice his life for it. He had clear opinions and wasn't afraid to voice them, but he still wanted to listen to what other people thought. He served in his army unit for seven years. He was a top fighter with extreme physical and mental strength.  "Almost ten years ago, our unit was tasked with a unique, complex, and unprecedented operation," his commander says. "As the commander of the operation, the scope of the challenge became clear as we got deeper into the process. When I thought about who I wanted by my side, I chose David. Without much noise, with a perpetual smile, and the determination of a herd of elephants, there was no task David could not perform." Anat and David Meir. (credit: COURTESY OF THE FAMILY) David became a father seven months before Simchat Torah, and everyone who saw him with Shaked couldn't believe how proud and in love a man could be with his baby. "David succeeded in all areas of life," Anat adds. "He was an amazing husband, father, and professional, and nothing could stop him." To register for the Yom Hazikaron event, "David Meir's courage and sacrifice remind us of the profound cost of our freedom, especially as we approach Remembrance Day," says Tami Shelach, Chairwoman of the IDF Widows & Orphans Organization. His story, like those of many others who have given their lives, will be honored as we remember not just the fallen but the enduring spirit they embody."  "I invite everyone to join us in paying tribute to these brave souls at the Yom Hazikaron Ceremony we are hosting with the Jerusalem Post at the Museum of Tolerance on May 12 at 7 p.m.," she adds. "It's a time to come together, remember, and honor their memories." “We may be one of the smallest nations on the planet, and yet we are definitely one of the very few nations with such a large family,” says Jonathan (Yoni) Riss, MOTJ’s director of operations. “Every day, we pay the price to protect our large family, and we proudly stand together.” “On Yom Hazikaron, the salutes the fallen soldiers and their families for protecting the nation, the country, and our big family.” To register for the Yom Hazikaron event, ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-01

My neighbor sat shiva during the week . Through her late mother’s family, she is a 7th-generation Jerusalemite, now residing in Shiloh. She is now a grandmother and so the generations extend. Her roots in the Land of Israel go back some 140 years, as her family was from the group known as the “students of the Gra,” the Gaon Eliyahu of Vilna.  Additionally, I know someone else whose roots go back to the Hassidim who came before, in the last third of the 18th century, in the footsteps of the 300 or so who arrived in 1777. As it happens, I was also acquainted with a descendant of the Jews who arrived in Hebron after the Spanish expulsion of 1492. Jews are not foreign to the Land of Israel, nor are they colonialists. In fact, Jews have always been here, even if in small numbers at times. The attempts to return and resettle the country were constant and continuous. But how well-known is this aspect of the continuum of Jewish presence in the Jewish homeland? Judging by results, whether in Israeli schools or throughout the , the educational content relating to Zionism would appear to be quite unsuccessful in instructing and inculcating the history of the Jews in the Land of Israel throughout the centuries – and its centrality to Judaism and Jewish culture, literature, and art. An empty classroom (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) Why, and how, did this trend of indifference, outright ignorance, or assigning the topics a lower grade of interest take root? One researcher, Yosef Charvit, suggested that Zionist historiography has sought “to ensure that the mighty process of return to the Jewish homeland is attributed exclusively to Zionism of the modern era,” by which he means the First Aliyah of the 1880s.  Moreover, he accuses historiographers of attempting “to ‘normalize’ history so that anything hinting at redemption is summarily excised.” Seemingly frightened by messianism, the history of the Jewish settlement of Eretz Israel over the many centuries has, in essence, been censored or, at best, relegated to a minor element. It is therefore disregarded, at best, in schools in Israel and in the Diaspora. Whether that particular theory is true, there is certainly a woeful lack of educational content on the subject of the continuum of Jewish presence in the Land of Israel between 135 CE to the First Aliyah of 1882. In fact, Charvit focuses on what he considers a slight to the Sephardi communities in that “conscious or otherwise... Zionist historiography... detaches the sixteenth from the nineteenth” centuries. In Hebrew, there are the Yoram Tzafrir’s two volumes: From the destruction of the Second Temple until the Muslim conquest. Michael Ish-Shalom’s In the Shadow of Alien Rule deals with the period from the Roman-Byzantine rule until the Ottoman conquest. A 126-page booklet was published by Dan Bahat in 1976, Twenty Centuries of Jewish Life in the Holy Land: The Forgotten Generations and is good, if compact. The problem, however, begins with readily available, serious English-language resources. Moshe Gil’s A History of Palestine, 634-1099, presents too short a timespan. The recent two volumes by Rivka Shpak Lissak, When and How the Arabs and Muslims Immigrated to the Land of Israel focus more on the Jewish population and demography and, perforce, are limited. On the website, I found 139 words devoted to the “continuous presence in the Land of Israel for nearly 4,000 years” but it ends in 636 CE.  The two-volume 800-plus page Phantom Nation concentrates on the Arab population of the region of historic Palestine and marks 1870 as the start of Zionist settlement activities. Harold J. Margolis published Jewish Continuous Presence in the Land of Israel but it appears to be more of a travelogue. A very short treatment of some 1,000 words can be found online, issued by Dr. Yechiel Shabiy, a researcher at the BESA Center (Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies). In short, all these books and articles are rather inadequate. I returned to this subject after an X post of mine received a response to the effect that not only can Zionists not claim rights over what happened 3,000 years ago but that, in any case, the “Palestinians” preceded the Jews in this land. In addition, Jews only began settling in the late 19th century. And we came from Europe. This is standard fare pro-Palestinian propaganda. But can the average Israeli or Jewish high school student disprove that framing? Are they able to confront the incessant undermining of the Zionist narrative and the reality of Jewish indigenousness in and ongoing return to its historical homeland? For example, not only were there dozens of Jewish communities throughout the Golan in the 3rd and 4th centuries but in 1885, 35 Jewish families moved to Ramtiniyeh, north-east of today’s Katzrin, after purchasing 15,000 dunams. In 1888, another 3,690 dunams were purchased at Bir A-Shagum, near today’s Givat Yoav. Centuries before that, Jews resided in Galilee, Samaria, and the South Hebron Hills. There were communities in Baram, Gush Halav, Eshtemoa, Halhoul, Arraba, and Sakhnin. A RESULT of the Arab conquest was the altering of the Hebrew place names of existing Jewish towns. Shfaram became Shfa’amr, Ganim became Jenin, Ashdod became Isdud, and so forth. There was an ethnic cleansing in Mandate Palestine but it was perpetrated by Arabs against Jews in Hebron, Gaza, Tulkarem, Nablus, and Jerusalem. All of the above, and so much more, indicates a very simple truth: Jews continuously resided in Eretz Yisrael despite the difficulties in arriving, staying, and living under foreign rule. Jews abroad sent money to support Jews in the Land of Israel. They clung to the land. They viewed it as a holy land in which to fulfill religious commandments. And even if they did not live in the country, they sought all possible connections with it, even if just to be buried in its soil. Jews and the Land of Israel are inseparable. Much of this history has been neglected and is not being taught. That needs to be changed. Our future depends on it. The writer is a researcher, analyst, and opinion commentator on political, cultural, and media issues. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-28

Most Zionists would tell you the goal of the Zionist movement was to return the Jewish people to the historic homeland of the Jewish people, the land of Israel.  Zionist scholars would agree that returning the Jewish people to their land was a major element of the Zionist platform, there was a more pressing issue facing the Jewish people – sovereignty.  The Jewish people were facing persecution in many of their adopted lands. Zionist leaders knew the only way they could ensure Jewish security was by where Jews would determine their own future. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jews finally had the ability to determine their own destiny, protect themselves from foreign enemies, and ignore other nation’s pressure.  When the Jewish state was founded in May of 1948, the Arab states and their allies began attempts at the United Nations to limit Israel’s sovereignty.  David Ben-Gurion publicly pronouncing the Declaration of the State of Israel, May 14, 1948, beneath a large portrait of Theodor Herzl, founder of modern political Zionism, in the old Tel Aviv Museum of Art building on Rothschild Street. (credit: RUDI WEISSENSTEIN/GPO) Israeli ambassador Abba Eban and future prime minister Moshe Sharett worked day and night, refusing to give an inch, to convince the nations of the world that Israel’s sovereignty was sacrosanct. Sovereignty allows the Jewish people to live freely in the ways they think best for themselves.  There are critics of Israel who see sovereignty as more than a life-saving necessity for the Jewish people, they also see it as a responsibility.  These critics maintain that as a sovereign nation the Jewish people are responsible for anything that happens under their rule.  Sovereignty over a territory means that anything that happens to anyone living in the territory that nation rules is the governing nation’s obligation to care for and solve.  They maintain that even in war time, when the enemy’s territory comes under another country’s rule, that country, the occupier, is responsible for the new territory as if it was a part of the homeland. Critics of Israel take this theory of expanded responsibility and apply it to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.  They claim that everything that happens when Israel is at war is Israel’s responsibility. A few weeks ago, Israeli soldiers .  For their own safety, and in line with international military standards, the IDF soldiers set up a safety perimeter to protect themselves and the Palestinian people from rioting. As much as they tried, the Palestinians rushed the aid convoys – and the Israeli soldiers.  With no choice the Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinians rushing them. Rioting ensued and over a hundred Palestinians died, almost all from being trampled by other Palestinians.  The aforementioned viewpoints are critical of Israel and claimed the State of Israel is responsible and the government must take responsibility for the deaths of the more than 100 Palestinians of Gaza who died as they sought food for themselves and their families. The causes of the Palestinians deaths – whether by trampling or the gunfire of soldiers who perceived a threat to themselves – doesn’t make a difference to these critics.  They maintain since the Palestinians died under Israeli control, it is Israel’s responsibility, and Israel should take the blame. These voices can even be heard within the broader Jewish – but not necessarily Zionist – community.  The position that requires Israel to take responsibility and blame for anything that happens under its rule is dangerous to Israeli security and a reflection of a perverted form of Zionism.  Jews must stop listening to critics who insist Israel pursues a weak-kneed self-flagellation by claiming as the powerful party they are responsible for everything that occurs in their region.  While Israel might govern various areas populated by different people, and at war might invade even more regions, they don’t control the people living in these areas and can’t be held responsible for their destructive actions.  is being waged because Hamas and other Palestinians chose to attack Israel and announce to the world that they are actively planning further attacks.  Deterring future attacks in self-defense became the Israeli government’s primary responsibility. Israel’s reaction to the attacks it suffered was easily foreseeable – as was the suffering the Palestinian people of Gaza would suffer as a result of the Hamas-started war.  Gazan Palestinians are not Israeli citizens and are not Israel’s responsibility. Israel didn’t want this war, Israel didn’t start this war, it doesn’t want it to continue.  The Palestinians can end this war simply by surrendering and returning the Israeli hostages they are holding. Poor choices made by Palestinians, from continuing the war, to rushing Israeli soldiers, to attacking aid trucks, are the sole responsibility of the Palestinians.  The fact of the just cause for Israel’s war against Hamas, and the villainy of the enemy requires the war to be fought victoriously.  There is no moral difference between the tragic but inevitable killing of civilians in wartime, especially those used as human shields by the enemy, and events like the one that transpired with the food trucks, the senseless violent deaths of civilians simply seeking the food that they are entitled to as human beings. They are both the responsibility of the party who started the war. Victory for the State of Israel in this war, and for the Jewish people in fulfilling our moral aspirations, requires the preservation of our security as well as our humanity and the essential humanity of others.  Events like today deserve the world’s condemnation of our enemies , and our insistence that they never happen again. We have nothing to atone for in this incident or the countless others Hamas has brought on its own people. The writer is a Zionist educator at institutions around the world and recently published a new book, Zionism Today. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-28

During four days in late April 1994, exactly 30 years ago, an awed world watched the first democratic elections in South Africa. The transformation occurred after the white regime realized that it could no longer maintain . One can debate what contributed more: strategic changes in the world following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which decreased South Africa’s importance to the West, or growing international sanctions. It is also possible to debate how reached its current crises regarding inequality, unemployment, crime, and so on.  But I will focus on lessons that contemporary Israel can learn from that change in South Africa. While we are “a step from total victory” in Gaza, to quote the prime minister, it is necessary to look at the territories Israel has controlled since the 1967 Six Day War. Just before Passover, we were informed that the government has begun the process of legalizing 68 “young settlements,” which were established without the approval of the government and are considered by Israeli law to be illegal. , who also serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry where he has broad authority over civilian issues in the territories, instructed several ministries to provide those settlements with the same services as regular settlements. This caused joy in some circles, consternation in others, and was met with a yawn elsewhere. So what difference does it make? Bezalel Smotrich (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) At the outset, it should be noted that Israel has not annexed the territories (Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are a different matter). No government in any combination of Right, Left, and Center did so. This includes the current coalition, whose guidelines begin with: “The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel – in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan, and Judea and Samaria.” This is because annexation can have but two outcomes. One would entail providing equal rights to all residents of the annexed territories, and an Arab majority would soon terminate the Jewish state. The other is to grant rights on an ethnic basis, resulting in official discrimination, like apartheid.  Indeed, for almost 57 years, Israel insists that its hold on the territories is “belligerent occupation.” In international law, this means temporary military rule, which lays certain responsibilities on the occupier vis-à-vis the local population while guaranteeing the security of the occupier. In the past, all decisions regarding the territories, including establishing settlements, were taken by security personnel, and were officially based on security considerations. Thus, if the Fourth Geneva Convention decrees that the occupier cannot move its own population into occupied territories, Israel could claim that decisions on settlements were made due to security considerations, and thus comply with international law. The formation of the current coalition changed that. A civilian (Smotrich) was given extensive responsibility regarding the territories, and decisions may now be made based on openly civilian considerations. This raises a question: if Israel is no longer a belligerent occupier, are the territories annexed? If so, the choice between apartheid and the end of the Jewish majority is fast approaching.  WE ARE currently witnessing two developments that are reminiscent of South Africa. But whereas strategic changes were to South Africa’s detriment at the time, they now favor Israel. And in both cases, international sanctions were in evidence, due to the treatment of the local population. Recently, the United States and some Europeans expanded sanctions against individuals and organizations in the territories, and the US is considering sanctioning an Israeli army unit. At the same time, the reaction of countries in the world and in the region to the on Israel is evidence of a new strategic alliance.  Israel’s participation in this fresh alliance will serve its interests and those of other players in this international coalition, including Sunni Muslim countries. However, Israel’s conduct in the territories may be a stumbling block to their goodwill and cooperation, and could even lead to painful steps against us. Two coalitions stand before Israel, which can probably not exist side by side. One is the fresh international coalition against Iran and its cronies. The other rules Israel and believes that it is possible to continue ignoring the world indefinitely.  Thirty years after South Africa learned that even a large country with many resources cannot do as it pleases, it remains to be seen which coalition Israel will choose to preserve.  The writer is a former ambassador to South Africa, as well as Israel’s first ambassador to the Baltic states after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and a past congressional liaison officer at the embassy in Washington. She is a graduate of Israel’s National Defense College. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-28

The State of Israel should not be regarded as a foreign entity imposing itself on the Muslim world (Dar al-Islam).  On the contrary, it should be seen as the realization of divine justice as found in the Quran and the Torah: The return of the land to its rightful owners. It should be recognized that when Israel was founded in 1948, political rule was not taken from the Arabs but rather from the British, who conquered it from the Ottomans. One of the fundamental obstacles to constructive dialogue between Judaism and Islam is the Muslim claim that Judaism is a religion but not a nation.  However, from the perspective of Judaism, the Jewish nation is, first and foremost, a nation. Therefore, all of Jacob’s descendants are part of the Jewish nation, whether they believe in the Torah or not, and thus, they are included among the inheritors of the Land of Israel. The Jewish state should be recognized as the manifestation of the divine promise to return the nation of Israel to its land, as mentioned multiple times in Islamic sources, for example – Sura 5,20: “Bear in mind the words of Moses to his people. THE PARTING of the Red Sea during the Jewish nation’s escape from Egypt, an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company (credit: Wikimedia Commons) He said: ‘Remember, my people, the favor God has bestowed upon you. He has raised prophets among you, made you kings, and given you what He has given to no other nation. Enter, my people, the holy land God has assigned for you. Do not turn back, or you shall be ruined.’” We must note that in 1918, a meeting was held between the Emir Faisal, son of Hussein, King of the Hijaz, and Chaim Weizman, the representative of the Zionist Organization, which led to the 1919 London Agreement regarding cooperation between the Arab national movement and the Zionist movement. Based on the brotherhood between the sons of Abraham, a happy period of peace and advancement of the world toward its correction can be opened. I should note that in my meeting held in the United Arab Emirates with Dr. Al Nuaimi, who oversees foreign relations and security in the Emirates, he agreed with my statement that the Islamic idea of Israel as “Dar al-Islam,” which means Muslim land that should be conquered by force, is a “recent invention,” not rooted in the fundamental beliefs of Islam. The writer, a rabbi, is head of Brit Olam institutions. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-24

Anti-Israel group (JVP) published a special edition of an anti-Zionist Pesach Haggadah, loosely based on the traditional text read during the first night of Passover. The Haggadah revolves around the redemption of the ancient Israelites from Egypt on their way to the Land of Israel. The ‘revised’ Haggadah features untraditional content such as commending Palestinian “Shaheeds” or martyrs, calling to “free Palestine from the river to the sea,” quoting Palestinian writers, blessing a deity in the feminine form, and even the text of the Partisan Song, implying parallels between the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Gaza. Other examples of content include referring to Israel as a “Zionist settler-colonial project,” calling to divest from the JNF, Special poems dedicated to Rafah, prewritten letters to Jewish communities and institutions as well as to editors of the New York Times and calls to “resist Zionism,” alongside several instances of grammatical and syntactical errors in Hebrew and an abundance of Palestinian-appropriated symbolism such as watermelons, olives, strawberries, and more. Divided into four parts parallel to the four elements, the anti-Israel group also made use of the Seder to call to refund UNRWA despite the proven active participation of its members and infrastructure in Hamas terrorist operations, as well as to commemorate Refaat Alareer, a PFLP militant who deemed “most Jews are evil,” and quote Jerusalem activist Mohammed El-Kurd who wished “every Zionist” to “burn in… hell.” PRO-ISRAEL advocates protest across from a JVP rally in Atlanta, last Tuesday. (credit: Cheryl Dorchinsky/Atlanta Israel Coalition) One distinctive passage in the relates the “ten spiritual plagues of Zionism,” accusing the Jewish national liberation movement of destroying almost every positive aspect of life, including humanity, empathy, soul, perspective, allies, and truth. The text also mourns “Jewish communities lost to the power of domination and ownership,” lamenting the participants’ shared feelings of ostracization from the Jewish world, rejection by their families and friends, and “threats and doxing” by “powerful institutions,” adding that “there is bitter goodness in finding anti-Zionist Jewish home.” In the foreword to their edition of the Haggadah, the anti-Israel group claimed that “Passover is ours to own and continuously define,” accusing Israel of co-opting ‘a thousand-year-old tradition for oppression’ and of “using Jewish traditions as weapons against Palestinians.” They also claimed to be “reclaiming the holiday of liberation” and “building [Judaism] beyond Zionism.” Finally, this section ends by arguing that “this year’s Jewish holiday of liberation urges every one of us to step up our commitment to the liberation of the Palestinian people,” ending with an incorrect blessing of ‘Chag sameach Pesach.’ Later in the text, the ancient Israelites are accused of “killing and displacing people in pursuit of the Promised Land.” At the same time, the Israeli government is portrayed as the modern Pharaoh, pointing a finger at US citizens who pay taxes in the country and are thus “complicit” in Israel’s “military genocide of Gaza.” The text also includes ceremonial instructions based on the traditional parts of the Seder night, such as drinking cups of wine “to the reinvention of Jewishness (sic.), not just beyond Zionism (sic.), but without the things that make Zionism possible.” Additionally, Urchatz, the traditional washing of the hands at the beginning of the Seder night, is dedicated to “Palestinian People, Land, and Waters,” unabashedly drawing parallels between the repercussions of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the establishment of Israel and its effects on Palestinians. Yachatz, the ritual breaking of the matzah during the seder, is likened to the breaking of “the spells” of those “systems of empire and domination” and “oppressive institutions.” It also invokes a call to divest from the Israeli economy. Similarly, Magid, the main part of the Haggadah which revolves around telling the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, features peculiar instructions such as urging participants to lift the Seder plate over an empty space symbolizing Gaza, calling on the Shekhinah (Godly presence) to bless the Palestinian people, urging participants to ritually dip their food repeatedly “until Palestine is free,” and linking the four traditional questions to “genocide,” “horrors” and “crimes” of Israel. Likewise, Tzafun, the ritual search for the last part of Matzah allowed to be eaten during the Seder, was revised to refer to Palestinians searching for family and colleagues “buried beneath the rubble.” Towards the end, a blessing to the “interest form, the QR code, the recruitment spreadsheet with its infinite containers brimming with affinities” is also present. is a charity and lobbying group based in the US. Formed in the mid-1990s, their reported strategy is to drive a "wedge" within the Jewish community in the USA in order to dilute support for Israel among the Jewish community. The organization describes itself as “the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world,” belonging to “Jewish leftists” who “fight for the liberation of all peoples.” The group has shown instances of open support for terrorism, including the publication of a poster featuring Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled alongside the slogan “L’chaim Intifada!”. Lately, the organization made headlines for its active participation in anti-Israel protests alongside groups sympathizing with armed Palestinian militias and terror groups, such as the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and Within Our Lifetime (WOL). These stances notwithstanding, militant Palestinian groups such as the now-defunct JISR Collective have accused JVP, much to their dismay, of being ‘subtly Zionist” for receiving funds from liberal organizations and daring to promote “people-to-people normalization.” The militant group also claimed that JVP was “centering imperialist American Jews to dominate the direction of Palestinian organizations.” It accused them of “using Palestinians as a pawn in this power struggle, often coopting Palestinian art, martyrs, and thinkers as their shield.” ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-20

On November 29, 1947, adopted the conclusions of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP), established to examine the status of and partition the Land of Israel. This resulted in Resolution No. 18, known famously in Hebrew as Kav-tet B’November. The resolution divided the portion of the Land of Israel west of Jordan into two areas, one for Jews and one for Arabs. Our historical right to the land was enshrined in our Declaration of Independence as the agreed solution to the immigration of Jewish refugees from Europe. A clear date was set for the establishment of the State of Israel and the end of the British mandate. Menachem Begin, who headed Israel’s national military organization, opposed the internal  of the land and called it, “giving up Jerusalem.” The Arab leadership also opposed the decision, calling it a “line of fire.” On November 30, an Egged bus was attacked by Arabs who murdered five of the passengers, setting off the War of Independence. Intent on destroying the small, newly established country, the Arab armies of Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq invaded Israel but were vanquished.Former Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin, under whom Operation Opera was carried out, bombing Iraq's nuclear reactor. (credit: Wikimedia Commons) Israel has not had a moment’s peace since the state was established; our enemies have not relinquished their desire to destroy us. The influence of the Arab bloc on the United Nations Security Council has led to countless resolutions against Israel over the years. In several cases, these resolutions have been vetoed by the United States.  In one of the recent UN resolutions, out of the 15 members of the Security Council, 13 voted in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza. Their intention, of course, was the preservation of the Hamas Nazis and their bellic capacities. The United States exercised its power of veto and the United Kingdom abstained. What can be expected from this contaminated body that places no value whatsoever on Jewish lives? The rise of Arab political power and influence after the Yom Kippur War – acquired thanks to their countries’ role in supplying oil around the world – has led the UN to countless anti-Israel resolutions. Among the most shocking was the adoption of Resolution 3379 equating Zionism with racism. The UN’s illogical and disproportionate antisemitic resolutions can be traced to Israel’s insults to Arab honor by defeating them in the 1948 War of Independence and in Israel’s victories in the wars over the years. The shameful statements of , who has turned a blind eye to the terrible October 7 massacre, have unmasked the UN bias anew.  While financed mainly by the US, the UN operates with the inspiration and encouragement of various Arab countries hostile to Israel, despite peace treaties. The monstrosity that is Hamas, supported by terrorist states led by Iran, is proof of what we and our longtime leaders have failed to understand. This is not a war over territories “conquered” from an Arab Palestinian people that never existed. This is primarily a religious war. SHARIA LAW jurists have imbued Islamic State (IS) with a distorted interpretation of the Koran, teaching that destroying infidels (non-Muslims) is not only permitted but even required.  To Hamas, these imams have transmitted the insane belief that the Jews are defiling “Palestine”; and that the holy places in the Land of Israel belong to them. And that it is their right to destroy the Jews and establish the state of Palestine, “From the sea to the river” [from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea]. In parallel, it must be emphasized that this belief is not shared by a large section of the Arabs living among us in understanding and peace. We, as well as our leaders, must understand that until Hamas, that insane and murderous organization, is destroyed, and until a new generation of Arabs arises, educated in the spirit of understanding and embracing the “other,” we will, unfortunately, have to continue to battle radical Islam. The US applies pressure to Israel regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza and opposes the IDF’s entry into Rafah. Nevertheless, we must recognize American aid and President Joe Biden’s “Don’t” to Iran, both at the beginning of the war and just recently, when we faced the threat of Tehran’s reaction following the assassination of the Iranian “official.” We must be thankful for the greatness of the friendship between our two countries. HIGH REPRESENTATIVE of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, whose Iranian leanings are known, is “concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”  Not a single demand to visit our hostages nor receive a report on their situation. No empathy or sharing in the grief of the families whose worlds have been destroyed – not even a word of condemnation for the barbaric murderers who massacred us. It is worth mentioning that Fontelles is a son of Spain’s powerful province, Catalonia, whose regional parliament passed a resolution declaring that Israel was committing apartheid crimes and should be sanctioned.  Since 2019, he has been the foreign minister of the European Union (EU), which for years has been funding radical left-wing associations that support BDS, demonstrate in the disputed areas of Judea and Samaria, and call for sanctions to be imposed on Israel. How is it that the EU, whose citizens suffered so much in World War II, does not wake up and realize that Israel’s war against Hamas is also the war of the free world against the spread of Islamic radicalism? Why do countries not wake up and see what is already happening in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Germany, with Islamic enclaves established by the refugees that even the local police are afraid to enter? It is from these Muslims that terrorists rise up and attack the countries that provide them refuge. Some countries are beginning to realize that the excessive humanity they have shown to so-called political asylum seekers from Islamic countries is affecting the nature of their country. Right-wing parties are garnering increasing support as citizens hope to halt the influx of those immigrants. As the fear of the spread of Islamic radicalism permeates Europe, countries are beginning to impose entry restrictions on foreigners. In the Netherlands, the leader of the right-wing party, Geert Wilders, has garnered the highest number of mandates. Hilders, whom Muslim extremists tried to assassinate in the past, shows commendable courage in his opposition to transforming the Netherlands into the UK, Belgium, Norway, and Sweden, all slowly losing their national identity. The author is CEO of Radios 100fm, honorary consul, vice dean of the consular staff, and vice president of the Ambassadors Club in Israel, as well as a former journalist at NBC. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-18

In a quiet, remote region of Northeast India, members of the have begun the time-honored ritual of baking matzah, as they ready themselves for the upcoming Passover holiday. This act is part of a series of Passover preparations that carry deep ancestral significance for the tribe. Shavei Israel, an organization that has been instrumental in helping Bnei Menashe members migrate to Israel for the past twenty years, describes how the tribe preserves several ancient customs. These include the removal of leaven from homes and abstaining from its consumption during the holiday, as well as the traditional Passover sacrifice. Additionally, the village's religious leaders engage in reciting a series of ancient prayers. Among these is the "Song of Miriam," a recounting of the Exodus story which details the liberation of their ancestors, the Menashe tribe, from slavery in Egypt, their journey across the Red Sea, and their ultimate arrival in Zion. Michael Freund, the founder and chairman of Shavei Israel, reflects on the significance of these rituals: "Passover symbolizes the and thus resonates deeply with the Bnei Menashe," he said. "On Passover eve, thousands of Bnei Menashe in the remote areas of Northeast India will sit down to observe the traditional Seder, embodying the generations-old hope of leaving India to return to their ancestral land, the land of Israel." The Bnei Menashe claim descent from the people of Israel, specifically as part of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes from the states of Mizoram, Assam, and Manipur, located near the Myanmar border. Tribal traditions uphold that they are descendants of the tribe of Menashe, one of the ten tribes exiled from Israel in the 8th century BCE at the end of the First Temple period. Today, their population is estimated to be about 5,000, with Shavei Israel having facilitated the immigration of over 5,000 Bnei Menashe to Israel in the last two decades. Shavei Israel, a non-profit organization established in 2002 by Freund, a US immigrant, is dedicated to strengthening the bonds between Israel and . The organization actively supports various groups, including the descendants of Anusim in Spain, Portugal, and South America; the Subbotnik Jews in Russia; the Jews of Kaifeng in China; hidden Jews in Poland; and the Bnei Menashe community in India. Further details can be found on the organization's website, www.shavei.org. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-17

The Jews are indigenous to the Land of Israel. We are as indigenous to that land as any other people are to theirs. And although many of us are not conscious of it, we consistently represent our indigeneity through our Jewish practice.  Whether it’s circumcision or the mikveh, celebrating Rosh Hashanah or Shavuot, or whether it’s speaking Hebrew or praying for rain in Israel, we represent our connection to the Land of Israel itself.  As we approach Passover next week, it is worth considering it is the festival most observed by Jews around the world, and happens to be one of the most significant expressions of indigeneity. In it, we honor our origin story as a people when we became a nation centered in the Land of Israel as well as the land itself. Not only is it rooted in the formation of the Jewish nation and our journey to the Land of Israel, but before Passover became a story about the exodus from Egypt, most historians agree that it started life as two separate festivals: one harvest festival known as Hag Hamatzot and the other known as Passover, both rooted in the agricultural cycle and change of seasons. , was based on the barley harvest and was rooted in sanctifying the first crops. As part of this ancient celebration, our ancestors ate matzah to sanctify the first produce of the soil.  The ancient holiday of Passover is rooted in the sacrifice of the most recently born animal by semi-nomadic Israelites. Hence, the paschal lamb. Some historians then posit that these festivals were then fused with the exodus story to create Passover as we know it today. And as Tamara Prosic wrote in The Development and Symbolism of Passover, “The combined feast became a commemorative celebration through which the people relived the events on which the existence as an independent nation was based.” Ultra Orthodox Jews prepare Matza, traditional unleavened bread eaten during the 8-day Jewish holiday of Passover, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2024. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90) The Book of Shemot (literally translating to “Names,” but commonly referred to as Exodus), written around 26,00 years ago in the Southern Israelite Kingdom of Judah, instructs Jews how to celebrate this festival. In it, YHWH instructs Moses to tell everyone about the paschal lamb. He says to set aside a 10-day- to one-month-old lamb/kid to be killed on the 14th day, and to place its blood on the lintels and doorposts of houses where the meat is to be consumed. Then, at night, they must eat the roasted meat together with unleavened bread (matzot) and bitter herbs (maror). This rite is to be adhered to in every generation for all time. Following the building of a temple in Jerusalem, Passover became a pilgrimage festival (one of the three in the Jewish calendar year). In Melachim (Book of Kings), it is recorded that King Josiah of Judah (said to have been the king when the Torah was written) ordered the Jews to “Keep the Passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.”  At this point, the celebration of Passover became a deeply significant part of Judean culture and expression. Josephus describes throngs of Judeans assembling in Jerusalem to honor the sacrifice and the festival. Not only was this commanded, but it was also practiced by the masses. In terms of how we celebrate Passover today, it is a more recent evolution (more recent still being 2,000 years ago, but that is over 1,000 years into our existence as a distinct collective). There was no record of the Seder from the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE).  Its first mention appears in the Mishnah (the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, known as the Oral Torah), which is dated either just before or after the destruction of the in 70 CE. It appears to have developed from cultural exchanges with the Greeks and Romans, who engaged in a symposium that bears striking similarities to what became Seder traditions. The evolution of this cultural practice does not in any way negate or impinge on our identity as an indigenous people. The Seder is still 2,000 years old, and regardless, indigenous groups are not fixed in one place or time. We are able to evolve while retaining core ideas and values.  While the meaning of Passover and the manner in which it has been celebrated has evolved over time, it is clear that this is a significant cultural expression of Jewishness practiced by Jews for over 3,000 years.  Next week, Jews from all over the world join with their friends and families to take part in Passover, a festival that has – in some form – been celebrated by Jews for millennia.  Although it has evolved, the origins of this festival lie in agriculture, in the seasons, and in the land itself. So even if we celebrate Passover in , we are recognizing our connection with the Land of Israel itself. We also, during this great Jewish theater, retell the Jewish origin story; the coming together of the Israelites as one nation with one God and one Torah. Whether they are religious Jews or observant Jews is immaterial. The retelling of this, the greatest Jewish story, is representative of the enduring nature of the Jewish people and our relationship with the land.  For remember, when God freed us from Egypt, he was taking us home, to the Promised Land. The Land of Israel. The writer is the founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, an educator, and the author of Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People. His new book is Reclaiming Our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-08

In a significant development within religious circles, a group of recognized rabbis from religious Zionism has issued a public letter strongly advising Israeli girls against enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).  The directive, rooted in religious principles, underscores the rabbis' firm stance on the matter, asserting that it is forbidden for girls to join the military. "The order of the rabbis that cannot be disputed - prohibiting girls from enlisting in the IDF in any way," the letter reads, highlighting the unanimity among religious leaders on the issue. The statement comes amidst heightened discussions surrounding the conscription law and the role of women in the IDF, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox community. The Union of Rabbis of Torah Ha'aretz Tova Ha'otva, representing a significant segment of religious Zionism, penned the letter, emphasizing their responsibility to uphold religious teachings and preserve the sanctity of Israeli society. "Out of responsibility for the State of Israel and the life of the Israeli people, we educate our students out of Torah and fear of God - to protect our people and the holy Land of Israel with self-sacrifice," the rabbis assert. Furthermore, the letter underscores the pivotal role of girls in national service, advocating for their involvement in activities that align with religious values. "Thereby, our girls have a large and significant role both in education and in shaping and building the next generation," the statement continues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining traditional roles and values. he directive carries significant weight within religious communities and adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding conscription and religious observance in Israel. In response to the statement, various religious leaders and community members have expressed support for the rabbis' stance, highlighting the importance of adhering to religious teachings and principles. The letter's issuance is expected to fuel further discussions and deliberations on the role of women in the military and the broader implications for Israeli society. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-13

To be Jewish is a tangible thing. It is not just an idea; it is a practice and a history. It is a peoplehood, and not just a religious practice. There are real and material components which anchor Jews into their Jewish identities. To be an anchored Jew is to be able to withstand the hurricane of hate which swirls around us in the wider world.  Since publishing my first book on Jewish Pride, I have considered the following model that will support Jews in developing an empowered Jewish identity. Utilizing the Head, Hands and Heart enables us to build a sustainable Jewish Pride movement that educates, inspires, and empowers Jews all over the world to see their Jewishness as a source of pride and never of shame. To be proud of something, you have to understand it; otherwise, pride is neither developed nor rooted.  Speaking at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles in 2022, Jewish teenagers asked why they should be They were not being obtuse; rather, they were seeking to deepen their understanding of how they could participate in this movement.  The answer I gave was to understand and explore Jewish history and identity. I told them we had to dispel the notion that Judaism cannot be defined. Jewish history is substantiated by archaeology and epigraphic evidence that vividly illustrates the origins and evolution of the Jewish people in the Southern Levant, specifically the Land of Israel.  Israeli Americans and supporters of Israel gather in solidarity with Israel and protest against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington, U.S, November 14, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS) This evidence sheds light on our sense of peoplehood, one that is deeply rooted in the indigenous nature of that land. It is this crucial concept that we must instill within our community.  Contrary to what the wider world may argue, the Jewish people are not a faith; we are a distinct people with a profound and emotional connection to our indigenous land. Our history traces back at least 3,200 years, and throughout this time— including over 1,300 years of residence in the Land, with varying degrees of sovereignty—we have cultivated and preserved our civilization.  Jews today are intricately linked through a continuum of culture, practice, and belief to our ancestors from millennia ago. It is imperative that every Jew be acquainted with the basic facts of Jewish history, extending beyond the Torah and our foundational tales.  Moreover, without this knowledge,—unfolding over thousands of years—risks being shaped and interpreted solely by external perspectives. We must emphatically assert that the only people who get to define Jewish identity are Jews themselves. However, to truly embrace and take pride in our identity, we must first know our story. Jewishness is not an abstract concept; it is deeply grounded in tangible practices and customs that reflect our heritage, which is indigenous to the land of Israel. Our pride movement must be practical and actively engaged with Jewish life.  Being Jewish transcends mere sentiment; it necessitates active participation. The term “Judaism,” first referenced as Ioudaismos in the second book of Maccabees, is said to have signified acting in the manner of the Judeans. However, due to modern (mis)interpretations of Jewishness, much of Jewish action is often framed solely through the lens of religion.  Yet, while the worship of God has always been central, the active expression of our Jewishness has encompassed much more. It has represented the very essence of our peoplehood—a distinct set of practices that distinguished us from those around us.  In his study Judaism: Practice and Belief, 63 BCE-66 CE, E. P. Sanders highlights that Judeans shared “a common set of practices and beliefs centered on Mosaic Torah and the remainder of what were jointly regarded by this time as hallowed scriptures.” It is therefore clear that modern Jews must also honor our specificity and heritage through Jewish action.  I am a secular Jew; God does not play a role in my Jewish identity. When I recite Kaddish for my late father, despite its traditional meaning, I am not exalting God. Instead, I am honoring my father in the manner that Jews have honored their deceased for over a thousand years. I am forging a connection with my ancestors and with future generations. This idea can serve as a guiding principle for our Jewish expression. Secular Jews, in particular, must recognize that Jewish practice also belongs to them. Like our ancestors, these rituals are how we express our Jewish identities.  I emphasize again: we are not merely an abstract concept; we are a living, breathing, evolving civilization in which every Jew must actively participate. This does not imply that we will all express our Jewish identities in identical ways. Within the vast spectrum of Jewish law and tradition, each of us can discover something powerful and profound that enables us to express our Jewishness authentically.Imagine a simcha (joyous event) where every Jew in the world gathers. Picture a buffet table overflowing with a variety of delicious morsels representing different Jewish practices and traditions from around the world. Each Jew has the opportunity to rise from their seat and choose their own unique combination of Jewish expressions. This diversity is what makes our community so beautiful, but each of us must rise and choose. Simply put, to be Jewish we must act in the manner of the Jews. Pride is indeed a feeling. We build and reinforce it through knowledge and action, yet it is a sentiment we must deliberately cultivate. By engaging in discussions and explorations of Jewish identity, history, experiences and practices, we awaken our consciousness to the power of Grounded in tangible elements, it is not a fleeting or weightless notion; rather, it is anchored at the very core of being Jewish, rooted in a profound sense of confidence and self-esteem.  While knowledge and action remain crucial, we must foster a sense of connection among individuals, the collective Jewish community, and the past, present and future of the Jewish people. Our existence today as Jews is not coincidental; it is the culmination of our ancestors’ unwavering dedication to the survival of the Jewish people. They laid the foundation and continually enriched our cultural heritage, enabling us to enjoy a vibrant and thriving Jewish culture worldwide.  Regardless of our geographical locations, all Jews are intricately linked to one another. It is through this sense of connection and belonging that we can foster a collective sense of Jewish Pride. By nurturing Jewish Peoplehood, we empower individuals to recognize their role in the broader tapestry of Jewish history, identity and expression, thereby reinforcing their pride. The transformative power of pride has propelled a variety of communities forward, igniting a sense of healing and empowerment. Now, it is time for Jews to embrace this extraordinary force and reap its profound benefits. Jewish Pride must be the path for our future. Through the model of the head, hands and heart, we can embrace our specificity, celebrate our heritage, unite as one people and unlock a boundless source of strength and possibility. Let us boldly embrace Jewish Pride as the guiding light that propels us towards a future of dignity, resilience, and collective empowerment. Together, we will shape a Jewish future that is vibrant and resplendent with the enduring spirit of pride. Am Yisrael Chai. The writer is founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, an educator, and the author of Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People. His new book is Reclaiming Our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-10

Five months ago, thousands upon thousands of Israelis – several of my amazing kids among them – received a Tzav 8 (the IDF’s emergency call-up orders), and without the slightest hesitation they threw on their uniforms, quickly grabbed whatever supplies they could, and drove away. These had no idea where they were going, how long they would be gone, or what was waiting for them when they reached their destinations. Most of them weren’t sure why they were being called up in the first place. It was Shabbat and a festival; they had been celebrating Simchat Torah with their families and communities, and they were unaware of what was happening down south. In fact, due to the fog of war, it would take days and even weeks until the true scope and magnitude of the horror that was Oct. 7 would come to light. But none of that stopped these intrepid Jewish heroes. The people and the Land of Israel needed them, and so, off they went. Since then, Israelis of all stripes, as well as untold numbers of Jews across the globe, have rallied around our shared support, prayers, and concern for the soldiers, the hostages, the wounded, and the bereaved families. But for many of us, marked another milestone. That was the day our children headed off to war. That was the day we became parents of IDF combat soldiers risking their lives to defend and protect us. That was the day we learned to answer a question that we never imagined we’d be asked: What’s it like to be parents of IDF reservists on the front lines? IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip, March 6, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The answer? It’s not being able to sleep, and walking around with a constant knot in your stomach. It’s sending care packages and buying all sorts of random equipment and gear for your kids and their units. It’s doing whatever you can – hosting, babysitting, shopping, chauffeuring, running errands – to try to ease at least some of the stress for your children and grandchildren while their husbands and fathers (i.e., your sons) are away for weeks on end. It’s neglecting your own stress and mental health as you try to stay strong for your kids. It’s scouring the news sites for clues – a reference to a specific IDF battalion, a mention of a certain location – that might give you some indication as to where your sons are and what they’re doing, but then wishing you didn’t have that information. It’s ignoring everything and everyone around you when your son finally calls. It’s not being able to make any plans because you never know when your kids will get leave or for how long. It’s cooking and preparing their favorite foods when they do come home and feeling grateful that you get to do their smelly laundry. However, after four grueling months of war, many were released, and an outside observer would be forgiven for assuming that all of the above had, at long last, come to an end. Indeed, social media was filled with heartwarming images of exhausted soldiers returning home to their loving, ecstatic families. But reality, as is often the case, is immeasurably more complex. After all, the war is far from over. It can’t – and it won’t – end until our enemies are defeated. So while some units have been released, countless others are still involved in active combat on Israel’s numerous fronts. In addition, as the released reservists are grimly aware, it’s only a matter of time until they’re called back up again. Will it be months, weeks, or...sooner? No one can say, but it’s a question of when, not if. But not knowing when they’ll have to return to the front lines is only one of the challenges facing the released reservists. And yet... In spite of all these challenges, the reservists have absolutely no regrets. Moreover, the very moment they’re called back up, whenever that may be, they’ll once again drop everything and head out to fight with the very same motivation and determination as before. Maimonides (Laws of Wars and Kings 7:4) famously ruled: “But in a milchemet mitzvah [which Maimonides defined as “a war fought to assist Israel from an enemy that attacks them” (ibid., 5:1)], the entire nation must go out to war, even a groom from his chamber and a bride from her pavilion.” For the IDF reservists, these aren’t just empty words. It is their mission and their calling. And whether they’re currently readjusting to civilian life or back with their units, we, their indescribably proud parents, will continue to be in awe of them, and we’ll continue to do what we’ve been doing since Simchat Torah – namely, helping and supporting them and their families and praying for their safety and well-being. But we’ll also allow ourselves a few minutes to thank God for blessing us with such remarkable, inspirational, and heroic children and for granting us the incredible honor and privilege of being their parents. May He return the hostages safely to their families; may He watch over and protect each and every one of our beloved IDF soldiers; may He lead them to a decisive and overwhelming victory over all our enemies; and may He bring us besorot tovot, yeshu’ot v’nechamot (good tidings, salvation, and consolation) speedily and in our days.  The writer is a Hebrew-English translator and proud mother of several IDF reservists. She and her husband, Yosef, made aliyah from New Jersey over 25 years ago. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-09

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, has sparked controversy with his recent remarks on the compulsory drafting of Haredim into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During his weekly lesson in Jerusalem on Saturday night, Yosef declared, "If they force us to join the army, we will all move abroad," signaling a potential mass departure that could shake the very foundations of the state. הרב הראשי יצחק יוסף: "יכריחו אותנו ללכת לצבא? ניסע לחו"ל". Emphasizing the critical role of Torah study in Israel's success and survival, Yosef argued, "The yeshivas and kollels are what hold up the world. The state exists on Torah study, and without the Torah, there would have been no success for the army." He recalled the military's achievements on October 7, attributing them to divine protection afforded by Torah learning rather than military prowess alone. Yosef's comments come amid a growing storm over the drafting of Haredim, a subject that has long been a point of contention within Israeli society. "What would we do without the world of yeshivas and kollels? They hold up the world," Yosef stated, challenging the secular community's understanding of the military's achievements. "No one told me it's thanks to the pilots, the bombings, or the planes," he added, highlighting a perceived underappreciation for the spiritual contributions to national security. The Chief Rabbi's stern message did not stop at criticisms but extended to a direct threat of collective action. "We will buy tickets; there is no such thing as forcing us into the army. The state stands on this," he asserted, implying a profound and widespread willingness among the Haredim to relocate rather than compromise on their religious convictions. Ultra-Orthodox Jews block a road during a protest outside the city of Bnei Brak, March 3, 2024 (credit: ITAI RON/FLASH90) This is not the first time such sentiments have been expressed within the Haredi community. Yosef's late father, former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, voiced a similar stance in 2013, suggesting that the Haredim would leave Israel if forced into military service. "We will have to, God forbid, leave the Land of Israel to move abroad," he had said, echoing a sentiment that has persisted among Haredim for years. The Religious Zionist party responded to these announcements in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Conscripting into the army: a great mitzvah! After two thousand years of exile, we will never leave our country. A public that is willing to pay with its life for the Land of Israel will not give it up under any conditions." Rabbi David Stav, Chair of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, responded to the Sephardic Chief Rabbi’s statements, saying: "During this time of continued pain and tragedy for the people of Israel, where nearly every day we are witness to more and more of our children falling in defense of this land, every focus must be on defending and supporting service in our military.  Any statement that encourages avoiding IDF service is a despicable moral stain and disgrace of God’s name." "The threat of leaving Israel specifically to avoid defending our nation is particularly reprehensible and completely contradicts the spirit of Halacha," he said.  "One would expect that someone who sits atop the Israeli Chief Rabbinate would encourage IDF service as opposed to dodging service to the extent of actually leaving the country.   ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-03

Is it proper to buy a grave when one is still alive? It is more than just “proper,” it is considered meritorious! Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch wrote that it is a wonderful source of protection to purchase a grave that will be his own property. It is also stated that purchasing a grave during one’s lifetime is a segulah (remedy) for long life. Why should I consider burial in Israel? Being has been an aspiration for Jews from time immemorial. The connection between Jews and the Holy Land is very strong. People who did not merit to live there still had a deep desire to be buried there, as evidenced by the custom to include in graves a small package of soil from Israel. The issue is more than just sentimentalism. Our forefather Jacob and his son Joseph both commanded their descendants to ensure that their remains would not stay in Egypt, but would be brought to the Holy Land. We also learn in the Talmud that the Sage Ula was brought to the Land of Israel for burial, even though he had died in Babylonia.  The supreme advantage of burial in the Land of Israel are mentioned throughout the Talmud and other ancient works. But people have their own, very practical reasons, too. One man, who bought a grave for himself and his wife, remarked that this way, he knows that his children will come to Israel at least once a year, for their yahrzeit. There are also families where the children have already made Aliyah, but the parents stayed behind for various reasons. They certainly have no reason to want to be buried anywhere other than in Israel! Isn’t burial in Israel, not to mention Jerusalem, prohibitively expensive? It’s true that at one time, only the very rich could afford to have their remains taken to the Land of Israel for burial. But in today’s era of improved travel and technology, it is more affordable than ever before. We at the have various options to suit different needs and budgets.  Can you tell me a little about the Jerusalem Burial Society? As the largest burial society in Jerusalem and the second-largest in all of Israel, we deal with the majority of burials in the Holy City. The was founded 80 years ago by a group of rabbis and other prominent public figures. Today, our staff is available 24/6 to assist mourners during their most difficult time, with sensitivity, caring and empathy. Most importantly, we take families’ individual desires and needs into consideration while remaining within the parameters of Jewish law.  What are the options for burial on Har Hamenuchot? We have graves under the open sky, in the ground in multi-level buildings, and now, in a pioneering underground facility, built with cutting-edge technology. This project, called the (Minharot Olam), is the first of its kind in the world, and allows for dignified burial in accordance with Jewish law. This marvel of modern engineering is fully accessible by elevators and golf carts. Closed-circuit cameras, 24-hour security, and an intercom system allow for peace of mind. WiFi and cell phone reception are available throughout the complex. Innovative thermostat technology maintains an even temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so that funerals and memorial services can be held without concern for rain, heat or inclement weather.  What do the rabbis say about this new type of burial in the underground halls? Israel’s Chief Rabbis are all for it, saying that it is the perfect solution to the lack of space that we experience here in Israel. In fact, Rabbi Osher Weiss and Rabbi Shlomo Amar were on a recent visit to see the new complex and both were very impressed.   Look, for all the technological innovation, this underground cemetery is actually the revival of an ancient tradition. Think of it, the first burial mentioned in the Bible was in the Cave of Machpeilah, just like we’re doing now. This article was written in cooperation with Jerusalem Burial Society ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-24

“I want to apologize to the people of Israel for the horrible thing the did. We are sorry.”  Regent Xami Thomas, leader of the Khoi Kingdom of Southern Africa, delivered this message to a packed audience at the (FOZ) in the heart of Jerusalem on the night of February 1. The crowd cheered their approval. This was, after all, words of support from the citizens of the nation that had dragged Israel to the International Court of Justice on accusations of genocide.  Thomas was not done, though. “The government does not represent all the Khoi or all the people of South Africa. The allegations are without any substance. We were horrified…” Then came the clincher. “Anybody who says that Israel isn’t indigenous doesn’t know what they’re talking about. If Israel isn’t indigenous, there’s no indigenous nation on Earth.” The South African leader’s words carried significant weight, considering the current relationship between Jerusalem and Pretoria. Yet for a change, his voice of solidarity with the Jewish state was one among a multitude offered to the audience. What is the Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem?The occasion was the official opening of the world’s . Delegations from the South Pacific, North America, Canada and, of course, South Africa, had come to Jerusalem for the inauguration. Various others sent recorded messages. The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem does not represent a specific state or country. Rather, it embodies the voices of indigenous leaders and their people from across the world and will serve as a hub of information and a helping hand in the Promised Land.  Indigenous people celebrate the opening of their new embassy at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem. (credit: MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN)But perhaps more importantly, the embassy – and those it represents – stands as a symbolic chorus of support. It affirms that although Israel faces opposition from many sides, these indigenous leaders and their people recognize the Jewish people as one of them: an indigenous people in their indigenous land, the Land of Israel. The guest list for the evening included ambassadors, several tribal chiefs, a princess, and a king. One by one, the indigenous leaders – all committed Christians who love and support Israel – took to the stage, bringing messages of hope, love, and encouragement to the Jewish people.The representatives from Hawaii asked the indigenous leaders to stand and stretch out their hands over the audience of Israelis as they sang the Aaronic Blessing in Hawaiian. The delegation from Puerto Rico accompanied themselves on traditional instruments as they, too, sang blessings over Israel. A representative for the queen of Tonga read the Song of Moses from Deuteronomy 32:1–43. And Thomas encouraged the audience with the promise that those who are with Israel are more than those who stand against it (2 Kings 6:16-17). Add to that the piercing call of a ram’s horn resounding every so often, the rhythmic beat of tribal drums, and indigenous leaders decked out in bright traditional garb dancing to popular Jewish melodies, and you get what the master of ceremonies called “the most joyous inauguration ever.”The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem is the brainchild of Sheree Trotter, co-founder of the Indigenous Coalition for Israel, who worked with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and FOZ to make it a reality. According to Hassan-Nahoum, it is only fitting that the world’s first indigenous embassy should be in Jerusalem, the city that colonial powers have tried to wrench from its indigenous people for generations.“The main narrative of our haters is to try to separate the Jewish people from the Land of Israel. This is their strategy. This is their tactic,” she said. “First Peoples understand that the very definition of indigeneity is to be formed as a people in a land. The Jewish people became the Jewish people in this land. It is only by a miracle that we survived out of this land, and it is only by a miracle, by tenacity, by much hard work and blood, sweat and tears that we returned. And now the strategy is to separate us from the land in which we were created.” Referencing Zechariah 8:22, Hassan-Nahoum concluded, “May this embassy be a forerunner for the day when all tribes and nations will come up to Jerusalem.”The newly inaugurated embassy – the State of Israel’s 100th and the fifth to choose Jerusalem over Tel Aviv as its location – is based at the Friends of Zion Museum [20 Rivlin Street]. It boasts the buy-in from indigenous peoples from across the world, including American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Native American chiefs, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tahiti, Taiwan, and Tonga.■Ilse Strauss works for Bridges for Peace. The South African leader’s words carried significant weight, considering the current relationship between Jerusalem and Pretoria. Yet for a change, his voice of solidarity with the Jewish state was one among a multitude offered to the audience.  The occasion was the official opening of the world’s . Delegations from the South Pacific, North America, Canada and, of course, South Africa, had come to Jerusalem for the inauguration. Various others sent recorded messages. The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem does not represent a specific state or country. Rather, it embodies the voices of indigenous leaders and their people from across the world and will serve as a hub of information and a helping hand in the Promised Land.  Indigenous people celebrate the opening of their new embassy at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem. (credit: MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN) But perhaps more importantly, the embassy – and those it represents – stands as a symbolic chorus of support. It affirms that although Israel faces opposition from many sides, these indigenous leaders and their people recognize the Jewish people as one of them: an indigenous people in their indigenous land, the Land of Israel. The guest list for the evening included ambassadors, several tribal chiefs, a princess, and a king. One by one, the indigenous leaders – all committed Christians who love and support Israel – took to the stage, bringing messages of hope, love, and encouragement to the Jewish people. The representatives from Hawaii asked the indigenous leaders to stand and stretch out their hands over the audience of Israelis as they sang the Aaronic Blessing in Hawaiian. The delegation from Puerto Rico accompanied themselves on traditional instruments as they, too, sang blessings over Israel. A representative for the queen of Tonga read the Song of Moses from Deuteronomy 32:1–43. And Thomas encouraged the audience with the promise that those who are with Israel are more than those who stand against it (2 Kings 6:16-17).  Add to that the piercing call of a ram’s horn resounding every so often, the rhythmic beat of tribal drums, and indigenous leaders decked out in bright traditional garb dancing to popular Jewish melodies, and you get what the master of ceremonies called “the most joyous inauguration ever.” The Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem is the brainchild of Sheree Trotter, co-founder of the Indigenous Coalition for Israel, who worked with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum and FOZ to make it a reality. According to Hassan-Nahoum, it is only fitting that the world’s first indigenous embassy should be in Jerusalem, the city that colonial powers have tried to wrench from its indigenous people for generations. “The main narrative of our haters is to try to separate the Jewish people from the Land of Israel. This is their strategy. This is their tactic,” she said. “First Peoples understand that the very definition of indigeneity is to be formed as a people in a land. The Jewish people became the Jewish people in this land. It is only by a miracle that we survived out of this land, and it is only by a miracle, by tenacity, by much hard work and blood, sweat and tears that we returned. And now the strategy is to separate us from the land in which we were created.”  Referencing Zechariah 8:22, Hassan-Nahoum concluded, “May this embassy be a forerunner for the day when all tribes and nations will come up to Jerusalem.” The newly inaugurated embassy – the State of Israel’s 100th and the fifth to choose Jerusalem over Tel Aviv as its location – is based at the Friends of Zion Museum [20 Rivlin Street]. It boasts the buy-in from indigenous peoples from across the world, including American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Native American chiefs, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tahiti, Taiwan, and Tonga.■ Ilse Strauss works for Bridges for Peace. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-22

Responding to “,” Palestinian Arab spokespersons excel in generating rhetoric that always sounds plausible and always presents them as the most deserving of persons, as opposed to Jews who, it seems, barely deserve their own lives.  But this rhetoric is non-factual. In this case, for example, of course, Israel must have, and does have, “veto power” over Palestinian statehood. That’s because preventing that calamity is a matter of life and death for Israel.That’s also because the state the Palestinian spokespersons are gunning for is smack in the middle of the land-starved Jewish people’s tiny, zero-strategic-depth homeland – which is no accident. Let’s understand: Irrevocable international commitments have been made to the ancient Jewish people for the western Land of Israel – even in the United Nations’ own Charter (Article 80), which obligates everybody. So Israel does have “veto power” over establishing a Palestinian state in the western part of The Land of Israel, for the same reason that any home-owner in the world has “veto power” over her or his own living room.  Israeli Foreign Ministry legal adviser Tal Becker and British jurist Malcom Shaw sit in the International Court of Justice on January 12, 2024. (credit: THILO SCHMUELGEN/REUTERS) If this sounds unfair, recall that Israel doesn’t have “veto power” over any of the over 20 spacious Arab states that serve the ancient Arab nation (“Umma”). To this nation, all Palestinian Arabs belong; they share this ancient nation’s language, national dress, religion and origin. All this makes the Arab nation, to which all Palestinians belong, one of the most generously endowed nations, territorially, in the world.  I also thank Dr. Alan Baker for his recent contribution, aptly entitled “.”  Dr. Baker delicately raises the possibility that politicians abroad may not understand what they are talking about.  Indeed, many political figures abroad are unaware of the following three key considerations for Jews. First,  there is no way back from statehood; divorce is the well-known procedure for dismantling a bad marriage, but there is no procedure for dismantling a bad (hostile or fail) state. Second, a "state" (as opposed to an “authority” like the Palestinian “Authority”) is entitled to arm itself as much as it pleases, eventually becoming a behemoth that is militarily impossible for an overshadowed small country like Israel to defeat. Third, and most important, there is no such thing as a “demilitarized state”. That is a pure contradiction in terms – like a “chilly heat wave.” It is also not true that there are various “types” of states, some of which are not risky for Israel. Why?  Let us say that a state is established whose Constitution includes an Article assuring de-militarization. This sounds wonderful, but there’s a “small” catch: a state is entitled to change its constitution! What happens if (and when) the “Palestinian state” abolishes this de-militarization article and heavily arms itself? The answer is an existential catastrophe for Israel, the state next door. Judea and Samaria belong to the Jewish people, irrevocably, by international law, which many like to ignore. The same is true of Gaza. If these are officially taken over by Iran, which is what would happen the morning after a “Palestinian” state were established, this would be an absolute disaster for the Jewish people.The leadership of the Jewish people is entitled, indeed obligated, to prevent this from happening at a distance of a few meters from our capital, Jerusalem, and Road 6 (Israel’s main artery), and if we prevent it, we will. All well-meaning leaders and journalists are invited to support our efforts to do the right thing publicly.  The message of the Israeli Right and Center has always been, and will always be, that incessant “two-state” rhetoric does not promote co-existence – it promotes danger and war. Israel’s hand is ever extended in peace. True peace, peace-for-peace. Some 99 Knesset members just voted that a “Palestinian state” will be a “prize for terror.” Our friends should respect our right to exist as a Jewish state. Our friends must respect our independence and our democracy. Recognizing a “Palestinian State” in the land of Israel will ignore our democratic process and will bring the destruction of the one and only Jewish State.  Simcha Rothman is an Israeli MK and Chair of Israel’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-19

Thousands of Mexico City Jews welcomed Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, the head of the worldwide Shuva Israel community, who arrived for a special visit. Rabbi Pinto toured the synagogues in the various communities, and met with rabbis and heads of communities, politicians, government officials and businessmen. "The Jewish community in Mexico City is one of the most unique communities in the northern American hemisphere," said Rabbi Pinto. "Under the leadership of distinguished rabbis, a generation is being built here who are devoted to Torah and serving God. The members of the community truly sanctify heaven.” He referred to the security situation in Israel and the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, quoting our sages’ statement: “All Jews are responsible for each other.” “If the Jews of the Land of Israel are in sorrow and agony, then we too over here and elsewhere in the world are grief-stricken." Rabbi Pinto added, "The whole world is going through upheavals - in personal security, in making a livelihood, in health, in everything. The Holy One, blessed be He is making a new order in the world in preparation for the coming of the Moshiach. Therefore, whoever now catches himself and strengthens his commitment to Judaism, and draws closer to God and increases light and unconditional love - will merit the true Redemption.” Rabbi Pinto’s brother, Rabbi Menachem Pinto, who for many years has been involved in Shuva Israel institutions, accompanied Rabbi Pinto on his trip to Mexico City. (credit: Shuva Israel) During his stay in Mexico City, Rabbi Pinto met with the president of the Syrian Har Sinai community, Alberto Kitzik and his deputy Salvador Daniel. He also met with businessman Max El-Mann Arazi and businessmen from the Attia family. Rabbi Pinto also met with Rabbi Shlomo Tawil and Rabbi Elharar, and with the singer Moshe Peretz, who was visiting there for a tour of performances in the Jewish communities. During his visit to encourage the local Jewish communities, Rabbi Pinto had a warm and cordial meeting with Paco Cervantes, President of the Committee for Business Coordination of the Government of Mexico, who was happy to meet him for the sake of the Jews of Mexico. Rabbi Pinto also held many Torah talks and received a large audience who sought his blessings, advice and life guidance.  From Mexico, Rabbi Pinto traveled to Miami, where he is presently staying while giving talks in the Shuva Israel centers scattered throughout Florida. This article was written in cooperation with Shuva Israel ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-14

Architectural remains of the VIth ‘Ferrata’ Iron Legion military base were uncovered in a recent excavation carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) at the foot of Tel Megiddo, near the ancient Kfar Othnay village (Capercotnai in Greek). The excavation was funded by the Netivei Israel National Infrastructure Company, said the IAA, which called it “a unique opportunity to uncover part of the full-scale Roman legionary base.” Directed by Dr. Yotam Tepper and Barak Tzin, the dig is part of a major infrastructure project to expand and upgrade Road 66 from the Megiddo Junction to the Hatishbi Junction at Yokneam. In the course of the excavation, extensive and impressive architectural remains of the Via Pretoria (the main road of the camp) were uncovered, as well as a semicircular-shaped podium and stone-paved areas that were part of a large, monumental public building. Legionary rooftiles found in the excavation. (credit: EMIL ALADJEM/ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY) The VIth Legion Roman legionary base is the only Roman military base of these dimensions that has been located and exposed in the Land of Israel. The IAA archaeologists knew about the location of the military base in 2015, when a surface excavation was carried out by the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research with support from the IAA as part of the Jezreel Valley Regional Project. But thanks to the current road construction, the ability to carry out a deep excavation was made possible. Advertisement Tepper stressed that the discovery of the legionary base was not accidental, as over the last decade, surveys and six seasons of archaeological excavations have been carried out within a joint academic geographical-historical research project that he directed with Dr. Matthew Adams as part of the Jezreel Valley Research Project (JVRP). “The Roman Legion camp at Legio was the permanent military base for over 5,000 Roman soldiers for more than 180 years, from 117-120 BCE to about 300 CE,” said Tepper. “Two main roads intersected at the center of the 550-meter- long and 350-meter-wide camp, and its headquarters were erected here. It was from this base point that all the distances along the Roman Imperial roads to the main cities in the north of the country were measured and marked with milestones. The ancient building remains were not preserved to a height, as most of the building stones were removed over the years for reuse in building projects carried out during the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods.” “In the course of the excavation seasons, the upper part of the commanders’ courtyard (principia) was exposed southwest of Road No. 66 and, in the present excavation, carried out on behalf of the IAA. We are uncovering the northeastern part of the camp that extends alongside Road No. 66,” he added. PRELIMINARY SURVEYS of the camp area, carried out in the context of the JVRP using ground-penetrating radar equipment, indicated that the entire Roman base and all its components underlie the wheat fields of Kibbutz Megiddo. “The unique contribution of the results of this research project lies in the rarity of such archaeological discoveries,” Tepper noted. “While Roman military camps are known in Israel, they are temporary siege camps or small camps belonging to auxiliary divisions. None compares with the entire complex of the legionary base, as has been uncovered in the archaeological excavations at Legio, next to the Megiddo Junction.” Historical sources and some partial information point to the existence of a permanent Roman legionary base of the Xth Fratensis Legion in Jerusalem, but the camp still had to be discovered. , and glass fragments were uncovered, but the most predominant finds were the roof tiles, which were discovered in extremely large quantities. “The roof tiles, some of which were stamped with the VIth Legion stamps, were used for various purposes, for roofing buildings, paving floors, and even coating walls. The technology and know-how, the building techniques, and the weapons that the Legion brought with it from the home country are unique to the Roman army, reflecting specific Roman Imperial military footprints,” the IAA said. Engineer Dima Pritsker, director of the northern branch of the Engineering and Development Unit of the Netivei Israel Company, said, “We are talking about an extremely important road project, 15 kilometers long, for reducing traffic congestion along the road and to improve the safety of drivers and passengers. The project incorporates the construction of the Megiddo Interchange at the junction of Roads 65 and 66. The Transport Ministry is investing 1.5 billion shekels in the project carried out by Netivei Israel. IAA director-general Eli Escuzido added that “the proximity of the Roman legionary base to the National Park of Megiddo, recognized as a World Heritage Site and also to one of the earliest Christian prayer halls known in the world that we had within the Megiddo Prison compound provides the potential to enhance the tourist experience at this central location at the gateway into the Galilee. Thanks to the excavations and the concentration of well-preserved archaeological remains, all those involved will evaluate the conservation of the site and the future of the planned Road No. 66.” ...قراءة المزيد

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