Two Holocaust Survivers Reunited 70 Years Later

Posted on: March 12th, 2012

Lemel Leo Adler, left, and Leon Schagrin are cousins, the sons of two sisters. After the invasion of Poland, they were transported to the Tarnow ghetto, and then to several labor camps, and finally to Buna, "a chemical plant taht also known as Auschwitz III." In there they met only briefly, between shifts. In January 1945 they were separated and didn't see each other again. "A far as they know, everyone else in their families were killed."

Matzel Toff? Really?

Posted on: March 12th, 2012

Punning might be the most annoying form of art save for mime (a punning mime, now that would be hateful). Check out the Monday NY Post (a paper known for outrageous punning, not enough mime) for verification. They claim that an outfit named Urban Nosh, which got its start making Matzel Toff, a chocolate-covered matzah, is adding a new, year-round version of the same dubious treat, called Matzel Bits, and are also conspiring to launch yet another new product, called Holy Macaroons. Help…?

Designer Leon Max Is Buying Up Britain

Posted on: March 11th, 2012

The Sunday Daily Mail features a colorful spread on fashion designer, owner of the Max Studio upmarket fashion chain, Leon Max, or Leonid Maxovitch Rodovinksi, "one of a clutch of rich Russians buying up chunks of Britain." The piece recalls another billionaire, Roman Abramovich, who bought the London Chelsea soccer team. But instead of buying soccer clubs, Max has purchased "a spectacularly beautiful English stately home." Love those Jews and their wonderful money…

Video: Netanya Purim Carnival—Sassy, Noisy, Happy

Posted on: March 9th, 2012

We went out to watch the Purim Parade in our sweet town of Netanya, and for a few hours were transported to a care-free world, somewhere between Disneyland and New Orleans. Our daughter Yarden said, Purim is like Halloween but without dead people. Everyone was distinctly alive in Netanya this Purim. And everyone seemed to take very seriously the idea of the Purim happy noise. Even the babies.

IDF Intelligence Chief: Instability Changes Our Military Options

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

The regional instability has changed Israel's security outlook in a number of ways, said Chief Intelligence Officer Brigadier General Ariel Karo, most notably in recent months in the Sinai Peninsula. Moreover, he said, the nature of the IDF's enemies is not always entirely clear, with the lines between military and terrorist groups blurred.

Video: Five to Eight UFOs in Israel’s Sky Wednesday Night

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

Moti Gaber, a resident of Kfar Yonah, a suburb of Netanya, Israel, was coming home with his son Wednesday night around 8:00 from the Lag Ba'Omer festivities, when he saw something quite literally out of this world.

Bibi’s Bombshell Proves He’s ‘Israel’s Number One Politician’

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bombshell announcement of a unity government agreement with new Kadima Party head Shaul Mofaz gives the Israeli leader an unshakeable government coalition for at least another year.

Netanyahu Stuns Israel With Historic Coalition Government

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

JERUSALEM – Israelis went to sleep Monday night expecting early elections in September for the 19th Knesset. They woke up to the news that elections would take place as planned in October 2013.

Israel, Greece Conduct Joint Naval Exercise in Mediterranean, Increasing Tensions with Turkey

Posted on: April 1st, 2012

The drill, called "Noble Dina", will continue through April 5, and will also include the U.S. Sixth Fleet. It is aimed at simulating submarine combat, airborne dogfights, as well as coordinating the defense of offshore natural gas platforms.

Police Arrested 20 Islamists Following Toulouse Murders, Terrorist Network May Be Shut Down

Posted on: March 30th, 2012

It's important to separate the failure of elite French police units to apprehend murderer Muhammad Merah a week ago, from our estimate of the ability of French security forces to monitor radical Islamists within their borders. It turns out that France, which has been hit by terrorist attacks since the Algerian war of the 1950s, could teach the US a thing or two about controlling Arab terrorism.

Gloria Steinem, Women Under Siege, Documenting Sex Crimes in Syria in Real Time

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

Turning to Internet users for help in reporting rape and sexual assault in Syria, to inform the international community and to provide the base for potential prosecutions, a new Women's Media Center initiative, spearheaded by Gloria Steinem, declares: "Our goal is to make these atrocities visible, and to gather evidence so that one day justice may be served."

French Nuclear Physicist on Trial for Plotting Hits with Al Qaeda

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

Adlene Hicheur, a French nuclear physicist of Algerian descent who once worked at Switzerland's renowned CERN laboratory, is being tried in Paris on charges of collaborating with Al Qaeda in North Africa. His attorneys claim he only sent angry emails. They are afraid their clients would be unfairly linked with the Toulouse murderer.

As of Late Friday Afternoon, ‘Global March on Jerusalem’ Fails to Ignite Mass Clashes with Police, Army

Posted on: March 30th, 2012

At the Kalandia checkpoint, where Palestinian youths have been taunting Israeli security forces all day, activity fizzled down after TV cameras had left. Jordan mass sit-in remained 6 miles from the border. Lebanon's army restrained Iranian and Palestinian busloads of demonstrators. In this region things can change rapidly, but we're off to the mikvah, to prepare for Shabbat. Here's hoping for a peaceful evening.

‘Global March on Jerusalem’ to Reach Destinations on Friday, Marchers’ Website Hacked

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

One day before the commencement of 'Land Day,' organizers of the "Global March to Jerusalem" are deployment their troops. Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed security system chiefs "to be prepared for any scenario." Access to the MOJ official website, gm2j.com, has been blocked on Wednesday night, and organizers blamed Israeli hackers for taking down the site.

Journalists Protest Jailing of Reporter of Palestinian Corruption

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

Palestinian journalists protested Wednesday in the city of Ramallah, in Judea and Samaria, demanding that the Palestinian Authority release Yousef al-Shayeb, a reporter who was arrested two days earlier, following a complaint of slander and deformation filed by the Palestinian ambassador to France and his deputy and Foreign Minister.

Amnesty International Press Release Condemns Sharp Rise in Middle East Executions, Ignores Hamas Death Sentences

Posted on: March 27th, 2012

The organization says that in 2011, 676 people were executed with full public disclosure worldwide. The rise in Iran and Saudi Arabia alone accounted for the net increase of 149 recorded executions as compared to 2010. But the press release, which will be used by news outlets everywhere, is silent on executions which took place in the Gaza strip under the aegis of Hamas.

Ahmadinejad, Tajiki, Afghan, Pakistani, Presidents, Meet, Pledge Cooperation – Next ‘Quartet’ Summit in Kabul

Posted on: March 26th, 2012

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, and Tajiki President Emomali Rahmon "called for more cooperation" during their summit in the Tajiki capital of Dushanbe on Sunday. The meeting happened against the background of the increasing economic sanctions against Iran.

Global March to Jerusalem Organizer Can’t Answer Radio Host Aaron Klein’s $50,000 Question

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

Klein was discussing the upcoming Global March to Jerusalem, which seeks to breach Israel's borders while "confirming that the policies and practices of the racist Zionist state of Israel against Jerusalem and its people are a crime not only against Palestinians but against all humanity.”

Aaron Klein Offers $50,000 Challenge To Pro-Palestinian Activist

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

On his WABC Radio show, Aaron Klein offered $50,000 to an organizer of the upcoming Global March to Jerusalem if the activist could name one city in the Middle East outside of Israel that has more freedom than Jerusalem.

Toulouse Slayings Leave French Jews Shaken

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

PARIS – When Arie Bensemhoun, a Jewish community leader in Toulouse, woke up Tuesday morning, he thought for a moment the horrific shooting of three children and a rabbi at a local Jewish school might have been a bad dream.

EU Foreign Ministers Condemn Israeli Settlements for Threatening Two-State Solution

Posted on: May 15th, 2012 at 6:32AM

European Union foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels slammed Israel for threatening the viability of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Their three-page statement released Monday condemned the increased growth of settlement building, and the eviction of Palestinians and demolition of their homes in eastern Jerusalem. It also expressed concern over settler violence. [...]

Prisoners’ Hunger Strike Ended, Promising a Restrained ‘Nakba Day’ Tuesday

Posted on: May 14th, 2012 at 11:40PM

On Monday night, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners agreed to end their hunger strike after winning concessions from Israel to improve their conditions, both sides announced. Earlier in the week, concern had been rising about the effect the death of one of the strikers might have on Tuesday's 'Nakba Day' protests.

Shop-A-Fada Counters Calls to Boycott Israeli Goods

Posted on: May 14th, 2012 at 9:09PM

Shop-A-Fada, a play on the violent Palestinian intifada, was launched Monday. It encourages the public to counter anti-Israel boycotts with the purchase of merchandise manufactured in Israel. Shop-a-fada is an innovative effort designed by a team of Israeli business owners and pro-Israel personalities to demonstrate support for Israel by purchasing products manufactured and sold in [...]

Bronx Girl Wins National Bible Contest, Passaic Boy Scores Perfect

Posted on: May 14th, 2012 at 1:21PM

Shalhevet Schwartz, a 14 year old girl from Riverdale, Bronx, was one of only two girls to compete in her division of the National Bible Contest held last Sunday at Yeshiva University in Manhattan. Despite appearances, the freshman at SAR High School exhibited sufficient bible knowledge to win, and be eligible to participate in the world championships in Jerusalem, the “Chidon HaTanach”, held every year on Israel’s Independence Day.

New Hebron Settlement in House Near Cave of the Patriarch, Residents Say Purchase is ‘Kosher’

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

One of the new residents of the dwelling told the Jewish Press that there is no indication of an impending eviction, but recognized that this could change quickly: "We are here legally, we adhered to the required procedures and paperwork, and our purchase is kosher...any eviction order will be politically-motivated, and not legally based."

Park Hotel Terror Victims Return to the Scene of Horror to Heal

Posted on: March 29th, 2012

Ten years after the Second Intifada’s deadliest terror attack in which 30 people were killed and 140 injured at Seder night dinner in the Park Hotel, more than hundred victims and their families returned to the Netanya hotel for a memorial gathering and therapy session, part of their ongoing treatment and care at the OneFamily organization.

Toulouse Killer Mohammed Merah Visited Israel in 2010

Posted on: March 26th, 2012

According to a Shin Bet investigation, Mohammed Merah entered Israel via the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in September 2010, before traveling on to Afghanistan,where he attended an al-Qaeda training camp. The investigation also revealed that the Shin Bet questioned Merah at the time, but having found nothing to arouse suspicion, permitted him to enter Israel.

Toulouse Widow and Bereaved Mother Issues Plea to Jewish People

Posted on: March 25th, 2012

Eva Sandler, wife of Rabbi Jonathan and mother of young boys Aryeh and Gavriel - 3 of the 4 Jews murdered in a shooting attack by Mohammed Merah in Toulouse on March 19 - has issued a public letter responding to the thousands of people seeking ways to support her in her time of suffering.

School Excitement Vs. Parental Excitement

Posted on: December 26th, 2011

It can’t be emphasized enough how important grassroots involvement is to political action. Serious unified support can impact the tuition crisis by making our community and its school choice allies an impenetrable voting bloc that must be listened to and that demands consistent results. How we get to “unified” is a challenge.

Jewish Businesses Attacked in Highland Park, Man Arrested

Posted on: December 1st, 2011

A frightened Highland Park, New Jersey Jewish community rested a little easier Thursday, after a suspect in an attack on five Jewish businesses was put under arrest on Wednesday.

UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Celebrated in NY

Posted on: November 30th, 2011

The United Nations Headquarters in New York convened the 34th annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Tuesday, holding events and welcoming international dignitaries. The day coincides with the UN General Assembly resolution ending the British Mandate and adopting the partition plan to create a Jewish state.

“Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing” Ad Ditched

Posted on: November 24th, 2011

A New York City billboard advertising “Christmas Quality” vodka at “Hanukkah Pricing” will be taken down by the company, after it received numerous complaints that its pitch portrayed Jews as cheap and associated with poor quality.

Knesset Speaker: Elections in September; New Law Will Reduce Power of High Court; Pollard Will Go Free

Posted on: April 11th, 2012

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin says elections for Israel's next government will be held this coming September. There's one major reason why Rivlin is interested in going to the voter soon: he hopes that the in the next Knesset he'll get the votes to pass his new bill, seeking to level the playing field between the High Court and the Knesset. He also believes Peres will bring Pollard home.

Are You Allowed to Cry ‘Heil Hitler’ in a Crowded City Hall?

Posted on: April 11th, 2012

It started when Michael Carreon, a resident of Los Angeles’ 14th council district, objected to the rules of decorum at a City Council meeting on Tuesday. "I'm upset, so I guess I'll just salute you," he said, raised one hand in the air in a Nazi salute, and shouted: "Heil Hitler."

Obama to Pollard, Peres, Knesset: Drop Dead

Posted on: April 10th, 2012

The White House on Monday rejected an emotional appeal by Israel's President Shimon Peres to commute convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard's life sentence. Peres based his appeal on Pollard's fast deteriorating health, after Peres' recent conversation with Pollard's wife Esther. Peres' appeal came after he had received a petition signed by 80 MKs, urging Obama to release Pollard.

Nose King of Miami Gives in to ASPS, Cancels Controversial Music Video Contest

Posted on: April 10th, 2012

Leading Miami Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer announced Monday that he was canceling his music video contest, based on "Jewcan Sam, A Nose Job Love Song." the song about nose jobs by the punk-rock band, The Groggers. Originally, Salzhauer called on contestants to create their own video for the song, and the best video would win an all-expenses paid trip to Miami.