Posted by in Israel It’s Israel’s Birthday. Number 63! Well the Modern State of Israel is 63 years old today. It is Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Of course Israel is 1000’s of years old. It is an ancient land, the Promised Land of the Torah. And it is 63 years since the revival of the political entity of…Read more »
Posted by in Israel Today is Yom Hazikron -Israel’s Memorial Day. It is a day to remember all those who gave their lives to defend the State of Israel. Throughout its more than 60 years Israel has had to defend its very existence from hostile neighbors. In 1948 it was Egypt and Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. And today Hamas…Read more »
Posted by in Israel Tonight at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset just off the 405, The Jewish Federation and the Southern California Board of Rabbis will sponsor a wonderful discussion about the nature of civil discourse on Israel. On the panel will be Rabbis Laura Geller of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Tu B’shvat higeeyah. Yes, Tu B’shvat is here. Today is the 15th of the month of Shevat. One of the New Year’s of Jewish tradition. Today is often called the birthday of the trees. This is because everything produced after this day is accounted for in the new calculations for the temple terumot and ma’aserot.…Read more »
Posted by in Israel, Uncategorized This is an article from Ha-aretz. One of Israel’s leading paper. The Palestinian state on the ground is being recognized by nations. Including Russia. Even without borders that have been agreed upon. Even without security zone negotiations. Even without dealing with the Gaza/Hamas situation. The Palestinian (read West Bank) leaders are moving forward to try…Read more »
Posted by in Israel This year the Jewish organization of Hadassah turns 100! It was founded by Henrietta Szold in 1912! And its work is dedicated to Israel, Jewish life in North America and Zionism. It is the largest women’s organization and largest volunteer organization! Hadassah does such great work. They support Israel in important ways. Of course one…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized The fire in Israel is out. But there are still thousands of people displaced from their homes. Israel was woefully unprepared to fight the massive Carnek fire that burned more than 50,000 dunams of land and destroyed kibbutz Beit Oren in the process. Thankfully, Israel received help from many countries including Egypt, Turkey, Bulgaria and…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Israel has experienced its worst fire ever. The Carmel Fire is a wildfire that has burned more than 50,000 dunams so far outside of Haifa. Two Druze brothers from the town of Isfiya have been arrested for negligence in starting the fire. Not arson. Seems they started a fire and it got out of control.…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Friday night I had the wonderful honor of installing Rabbi Ari Margolis as the assistant rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Raleigh, N.C. Below is my installation d’var torah for Ari. Shabbat Shalom I am so honored to be here at Temple Beth Or this Shabbat. It is not often that I get…Read more »
Posted by in Israel, Uncategorized On Thursday morning I attended a wonderful lecture at the home of our Israel Consul General. Dr. Bambi Sheleg a modern Orthodox Israeli Journalist. She is a feminist and a concerned Israeli citizen. She founded a new organization in Israel called Eretz Acheret (which means another land). She is trying to create a dialogue between…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 