Disengagement From Reality
As we see from the reactions of many of the Israeli government ministers, Arik Sharon negotiated with himself and decided that his plan for disengagement was a reasonable plan.
A Planeload Of Joy
We in Israel need Nefesh B'Nefesh. Every time this organization brings in another planeload of olim, the welcome is so uplifting, the arrival is so exciting, the emotional high is so stimulating, that several old-timers go to the airport ceremonies just to be reminded how important American and Canadian aliyah is.
True Role Models (Part Twelve)
Purim, which is not too far away, reminds us that people often can wear masks to hide their true identity.
The Orthodox Union In Israel
For the first time in its history, the Orthodox Union held its annual convention in Israel.
Election Spectacle
There are also many fringe parties such as Ale Yarok (Green Leaf – supports legalizing marijuana), Bezchutan - Haredi women, We Are All Friends Party, Green’s Party, Pirate Party, Ohr Party, Protecting Our Children Party, Finance Party, Hatikva LeShinui, Democratura, Perach, etc., etc., etc.
Six Thousand Miles (Part II)
Part I of this series introduced the 6,000-mile driving tour that my wife, Barbara, and I took in the van driven by my brother, Avi, and our sister-in-law, Martha, to the Canadian Rockies.
The Sanhedrin Reestablished (Part II)
Part I of this article discussed the background and early days of the new Sanhedrin.
Time For World Peace!
It really is time for painful sacrifices for peace. No one wants his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to suffer the pangs of war and strife. It is time to end the strife and make peace in the Middle East.
An American Odyssey (Part 2)
After arriving in Boca Raton, Florida, and spending a lovely Shabbat with the Century Village friends of my brother and sister-in-law, we started our American Odyssey of 10,000 miles across America. We spent our first days in the Deep South going through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In each state we visited one or two attractions that the AAA website listed as the best.
A Political Comeback Attempt
When Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak attempted to break the link between the Har Bracha Hesder Yeshiva and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), few of us were surprised. Ehud Barak is the head of the Labor Party who seems to be using this anti-religious "weapon" in order to make a political comeback for his failing leftist party. His anti-religious position is well known, and his attempt to discredit Rabbi Eliezer Melamed and the Hesder Yeshiva movement is not unexpected. In the past, other politicians have used their opposition to religion to improve their political status, and Barak knows that he and his party are falling apart.
An American Odyssey (Part 9)
On Sunday morning, after breakfast at the Elite Café, we loaded the van, filled the gas tank and travelled the famous Route #1 from Los Angeles toward San Francisco, along the Pacific Ocean coast. It was the 4th of July weekend and the narrow route was crowded with miles of RV’s, campers and fellow travelers. Traffic was a bit slow along the way.
Vote Early, Vote Often!
The title of this article is the supposed motto of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley of Chicago, but for Americans living in Israel it means, literally, vote twice. Both Israel and America are holding important elections and, hopefully, most Orthodox Jews will be voting. The United States will be holding its regular four-year elections for president and many other offices, and Israel will be voting for an entire “new” Parliament (Knesset).
A Million Dollar Dedication
The Yishuv community of Hashmonaim and Yeshivat Bnei Akiva "Ner Tamid" recently celebrated a beautiful Chanukat Habayit dedication of a million-dollar Beit Midrash.
True Role Models (Part Nineteen)
Renana and Jay (Yaakov) Wolff made Aliyah in 1993 from Oak Park, Michigan, where they were serving as the Bnei Akiva internal emissaries (young couples who, prior to leaving to live in Israel, serve in towns that do not have a large Jewish college presence).
A Time Of Sadness And Joy, A Time To Remember
This time of year in Israel is a time of sadness and a time of joy. We commemorate the murder of six million Jews in Nazi Europe and we commemorate the deaths of our children in times of war and the terrorist murders of our people during periods of "peace." When our sadness reaches a crescendo as the sun sets on Memorial Day, we pause, raise our flag from half mast to its highest height, and joyfully begin to celebrate Israel's Independence Day.
Enemies From Within
When things get bad, I must remember that thousands of people in Israel are doing wonderful mitzvot daily, and we cannot become discouraged.
Only The Left Can!
Thank G-d Netanyahu is not the prime minister. We live in a strange environment, where the Left can make war and the Right can make peace.
True Role Models (Part Sixteen)
Mordechai and Barbara Goldman came on Aliyah in 1975 from Toronto, Canada. Barbara grew up in Toronto and was active in Bnei Akiva (madricha and rosh snif) and NCSY.
True Role Models (Part Fifteen)
As Israelis suffer the stress of disengagement and the beginning of the dismemberment of the Jewish homeland, it is still important for American religious Jewish families to come on Aliyah.
An American Odyssey (Part 3)
After a good meal in Houston Thursday night, we spent the evening at the Quality Inn near the Space Center. Early Friday morning we left for the Space Center so that we could get an early start before Shabbat.
They’ve Finally Realized
An example of our own self-imposed weakness is the Israeli attitude towards the Holy Temple Mount.
True Role Models (Part Three)
It is hard for modern day visitors to Israel to imagine some of the situations that immigrants to Israel found 20 and 30 years ago.
Yamit Revisited
When the Jews living in the Gaza Strip are forcibly evicted from their homes, what should be done with the houses?
True Role Models (Part Eight)
Israel is center of the universe. What scientific evidence is there of this fact?
A Rude Awakening
Last week Israel remembered the Holocaust but received a rude reminder that its immigration policy admits many non-Jews into Israel.
An American Odyssey (Part 5)
Is it true that creatures from outer space visited New Mexico and that the U.S. government suppressed the story to avoid worldwide panic?
Israel Needed Arafat
By the time you read this article, Arafat will have died, and many will say good riddance.
Do You Understand?
Do you understand the daily rocket attacks against Sderot, Israel?
The Bully Is Threatening
I am often amazed by the reaction of world governments to the bullying tactics of the Muslim world.
True Role Models (Part Fourteen)
Unfortunately, the question as to where to raise your children and where you and they should live is not a hot topic in the American Jewish community.