What has become increasingly apparent in the week following the violence aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara between so-called activists and Israeli naval seals is that there is a coördinated campaign worldwide to delegitimize Israel.   It’s been going on for some time.  But the Arab world is clear in their messaging. Israel has no right to exist.  For…Read more »

Parshat Shelach Numbers 13:1-15:41 They have reached the Promised Land. Okay. The Children of Israel not only reach the Promised Land this week, Moses sends out 12 men to scout out the land in advance of the Children of Israel crossing over the Jordan River to begin the fulfillment of God’s covenant made to Abraham…Read more »

Here is a beautiful post by my colleague and friend Rabbi Paul Kipnes of Or Ami Synagogue. He writes about the flotilla incident and calls for a sense of level headedness.  I urge you to read his words. The Baal Shem Tov (founder of Chasidism) urged his followers toward hishtavut, equanimity or levelheadedness.  He recognized…Read more »

Israel may be technically right according to Maritime law.  They had the “right” to board the ship. They had the “right” to make the Turkish ship stop. But someone wasn’t thinking clearly.  Israeli commandos boarded the Turkish ship armed with paintball guns used to disperse crowds.  But this crowd was hardly just a typical protest rally. …Read more »

  What really happened on the high seas when Israeli forces boarded a Turkish ship that was trying to break the blockade of Gaza?  It is hard to know even now.  But Israeli Naval commandos rappelled from helicopters in the early morning on Monday to a flotilla of six ships that were trying to run the…Read more »

What is Memorial Day? Just an excuse for BBQ? A Day off? No, this is day to remember those who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Even if you never served or don’t know anyone who did, this is a day to give thanks for the lives of those who sacrificed to keep our…Read more »

Traditionally Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.  I know the vernal equinox in June is the actual date the season really begins. But let’s face it the long weekend at the end of May kind of kicks off the summer attitude. Lots of people go away this weekend and the first real…Read more »

There was some success this week over ending the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell oppressive policy! The Senate Armed Services Committee voted for the compromise 16-12.  The House of Republicans debated and debated on Thursday and finally voted on the compromise which was an amendment by Patrick Murphy to the Defense Reauthorization Act for FY 2010. …Read more »