Bibi And The Iranian Bomb: Reconsidering Israel’s Policy Of Nuclear Ambiguity

Posted on: April 17th, 2009

Until now, the strategic issue of Israel's nuclear ambiguity - the so-called "bomb in the basement" - has been kept squarely on the back burner. Today, however, time is quickly running out for the Jewish State, and Israel's new/old prime minister absolutely must reconsider this burning issue. From the standpoint of urgency, of course, the immediate problem is Iran.

‘Are You Meshuga?’: Jewish Survival In A Crazy World (Part II)

Posted on: April 7th, 2009

Credo quia absurdum. "I believe because it is absurd." How, then, shall we Jews survive in such a distorted and meshugana world, both as individuals, and as the always-fragile Jewish State? In our collective form, shall we truly "Seek peace, and pursue it," when our enemies' brand of "sanity" lies relentlessly in genocide and war? Or should we just reluctantly resign ourselves to ceaseless conflict as the unavoidable expression of sanity in an undeniably insane world?

Po-Lin

Posted on: April 1st, 2009

Purim in Tarnow        On March 9, 2009, the first Purim celebrations in many years took place in Tarnow. The program included the reading of Megillat Esther and tasting traditional Jewish dishes. The event was organized by The Michael H. Traison Fund for Poland; the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland; [...]

‘Are You Meshuga?’: Jewish Survival In A Crazy World (A Column in Two Parts)

Posted on: April 1st, 2009

Credo quia absurdum. "I believe because it is absurd." Here is a brief story to suitably "set our stage." During World War I, a Jew loses his way along the Austro-Hungarian frontier. Wandering through the woods late at night, he is abruptly stopped in his tracks by the screaming challenge of a nervous border-guard: "Halt, or I'll shoot." The Jew blinks uncomfortably into the beam of the searchlight and retorts with obvious annoyance: "What's the matter with you? Are you meshuga? Can't you see that this is a flesh-and-blood human being?"

Israel, Iran And The Diversion Of Death: Revisiting a Terrible ‘Fantasy’ (Second of Two Parts)

Posted on: March 25th, 2009

In many ways, Iran is now the Islamic terrorist writ large, the individual murderer in macrocosm. Although military analysts are certainly correct in pointing out that Iran is the major sponsor of Hamas and related Islamic terrorist groups (e.g., Hezbollah), it is as a direct threat to Israel that its terrors are most ominous.

Free Gilad Shalit

Posted on: March 25th, 2009

More than 1,000 days have passed since the unprovoked abduction of a Gilad Shalit, a young Israeli soldier, by the Hamas terrorist government of Gaza. Unlike the Arab terrorists being held in a "country club" atmosphere of the Israeli jail system, with TV, library facilities, exercise rooms and other amenities, Gilad is being held in primitive conditions. He is not even allowed to meet with Red Cross representatives.

March 16 – 66th Anniversary Of Krakow Ghetto Liquidation

Posted on: March 25th, 2009

A few-hundred Kracovians and guests from abroad, including Israel, participated in the annual March of Remembrance. Ghetto survivors, representatives of local authorities, diplomats (including Ann Hall, U.S. Consul General in Krakow and David Peleg, Israeli Ambassador in Poland) and many "ordinary people" came to commemorate those who were killed in the ghetto during WW II. We walked from the former Umschlagplatz in Podgorze to the site of former KL Plaszow.

March 16 – 66th Anniversary Of Krakow Ghetto Liquidation

Posted on: March 25th, 2009

A few-hundred Kracovians and guests from abroad, including Israel, participated in the annual March of Remembrance. Ghetto survivors, representatives of local authorities, diplomats (including Ann Hall, U.S. Consul General in Krakow and David Peleg, Israeli Ambassador in Poland) and many "ordinary people" came to commemorate those who were killed in the ghetto during WW II. We walked from the former Umschlagplatz in Podgorze to the site of former KL Plaszow.

Israel, Iran And The Diversion Of Death: Revisiting a Terrible ‘Fantasy’ (First of Two Parts)

Posted on: March 18th, 2009

Iran may be a state like no other. Founded upon the particular Islamic promise of conquering death - a promise bestowing ultimate power upon those who "submit" - it may ultimately do whatever it must to divert death in other directions. As an object for this existentially critical diversion, Israel, the Jewish State, is assuredly the perfect doctrinal choice.

Purim In Poland

Posted on: March 18th, 2009

Purim, one of the most beloved Jewish holidays across the world, is also very popular in Poland. There were Purim celebrations in all the major cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw and many others. Wherever possible people read the Megillah, gave tzedakah and shared meals.

Purim In Poland

Posted on: March 18th, 2009

Purim, one of the most beloved Jewish holidays across the world, is also very popular in Poland. There were Purim celebrations in all the major cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw and many others. Wherever possible people read the Megillah, gave tzedakah and shared meals.

Traces Of Jewish Culture Photo Contest

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

There is a continuing effort by educational organizations at every level in Poland to bring a better understanding of Jewish culture to the people and especially the youth of Poland. Through education we can bring understanding and through understanding, respect, if not friendship.

Traces Of Jewish Culture Photo Contest

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

There is a continuing effort by educational organizations at every level in Poland to bring a better understanding of Jewish culture to the people and especially the youth of Poland. Through education we can bring understanding and through understanding, respect, if not friendship.

It All Started In Hebron

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

The great historical process of the Jewish people all started in Hebron, where Abraham made the first Jewish land purchase in Eretz Yisrael. In Hebron, he buried Sarah - establishing facts on the ground.

It All Started In Hebron

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

The great historical process of the Jewish people all started in Hebron, where Abraham made the first Jewish land purchase in Eretz Yisrael. In Hebron, he buried Sarah - establishing facts on the ground.

Hillary Repeating Past Mistakes: The Ultimate – and Still Unforeseen – Dangers of a Palestinian State

Posted on: March 11th, 2009

In Washington, there has been little learned from lessons of the past.

Some Truly Basic Thoughts for the New Prime Minister – Or, How to Negotiate With Enemies Who May Prefer War to Peace

Posted on: March 4th, 2009

Israel has elected a new prime minister. From the start - and even before he begins to consider assorted specific issues for negotiation with other governments and organizations - he will have to determine whether any form of diplomacy is actually indicated. Although, on the surface, such advice may appear distinctly odd or foolish at best, there will be clear benefits to Israel of proceeding diplomatically only after first cultivating genuine understanding.

Brzostek Rediscovers Its Jewish Past

Posted on: March 4th, 2009

The mayor of Brzostek, a Galician shtetl to the east of Tarnow and not far from Pilzno, has recently agreed to restore the memory of the Jews to his town. The Jewish cemetery is to be fenced and a monument erected there, and an additional plaque in memory of the Jews who used to live there is to be unveiled in the town center. The plaque will be unveiled and the cemetery rededicated in a ceremony to take place on Sunday June 14, 2009.

The Likud’s Shimon Peres

Posted on: March 4th, 2009

Here is the simplest way to describe what happened in Israel's election: the Right won and the Likud lost.

He Is Still Prime Minister

Posted on: March 4th, 2009

The Israeli elections are over. New Knesset members have been sworn in. Ehud Olmert resigned several weeks ago, and his party will not form the new government. Despite all this, Ehud Olmert is still the Prime Minister of Israel!