Why Is Romney So Feverish on Israel When Most Jews Will Vote Obama?
It appears that Romney is not playing for the Jews. He has much more serious worries.
Jerusalem Festival of Lights: Exercise in Overselling, Underdelivering
My family and I were certain it was going to be a tasteful, Jerusalem version of some of the better Disneyland rides, like Pirates of the Caribbean: dark, with stunning images and light displays and haunting music.
Holy Smokes, Rabbi
According to the State, Rabbi Meshulam Rothschild, 26, was moving about 3,600 cartons a week of illegal cigarettes with no tax stamps out of his warehouse on Spencer Street in Williamsburg. At $50 a carton in taxes, that's a very nice income, although not so steady, it turns out…
9th of Av Message of Peace and Messianic Yearning from Turkish Muslim Leader
We long for the days that we will see the reestablishment of Solomon's Temple and hopefully we will pray there together in the near future. This will definitely happen as the days of Messiah—Yamot HaMashiach—are imminent.
Video: Netanya Purim Carnival—Sassy, Noisy, Happy
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.
Video: Romney Channeling Republicans’ Wishes?
On Saturday, Mitt Romney introduced his running mate, Paul Ryan, as "the next president of the United States."
Video: Bea Abrams Cohen – California’s Oldest Female Veteran
Bea Abrams Cohen, who turned 102 in February, believes in mitzvahs. "Pay back. It works," she told the LA Times. Bea enlisted during World War II and worked for more than seventy years supporting the U.S. military and charity organizations.
Kissinger Gets Felt Up by the TSA
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger., who's turning 89 this month (may we suggest holiday in Vietnam?), was spotted last Friday at LaGuardia airport in New York, getting routed to the pat-down line while going through security.
Really Scary Pep Talk on How to Have a Safe Trip Abroad, Courtesy of...
The world is not a safe place, is the bottom line of what our State Dept. wants you to know. But if you insist—heaven knows why—on leaving your safe bedroom and risk setting foot in one of those awful places you hear about in the news, there's a lot you need to know. Travelers can become victims of crime and violence, or experience unexpected difficulties, says the special page titled "A Safe Trip Abroad" on the DOS website.
‘First Jewish Leader of the Labour Party’ Enjoys Yiddish, Chicken Soup, But No Marxism
"I am not religious. But I am Jewish. My relationship with my Jewishness is complex. But whose isn’t?" writes the leader of the Labour Party and of the opposition in parliament, Ed Miliband, in the New Statesman.
The World Is Aghast as 500 Jewish Families Are Promised Homes
The AP has apparently caught the Israeli government red handed on the eve of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the Jewish state.
Swing States: Obama Ahead Everywhere but N. Carolina
There's only one bit of good news for the Romney campaign in the all-important swing state polls this weekend.
Gaza – You Won’t Recognize the Old Place…
What do you think of when you hear the name "Gaza?" Gut wrenching misery of a devastated people under siege. Not if you judge by this music video, shot against images of the thriving, beautiful, totally modern city of Gaza, with thousands of folks gathering in a stadium for a celebration, and the obligatory images of armed Hamsniks in training. Everyone looks well fed and quite happy.
Egyptian President Giving Chutzpah a Bad Name, Lecturing the US on Respect
Instead of stressing his friendship and loyalty to a country which, despite its own economic woes is generously helping to feed his 80 million plus citizens, Morsi is actually lecturing the United States, saying it needs to "fundamentally change its approach to the Arab world, showing greater respect for its values and helping build a Palestinian state, if it hoped to overcome decades of pent-up anger." For the record, since 1979, an annual contribution which totals, give or take, $30 billion has yielded the United States "decades of pent-up anger."
Cleveland Just Missed Its Chance to Own 3 Major League Jews
Had the (Jewish) heavens gone a little bit differently, Cleveland could become the first American city with three Jewish major leaguers playing at the same time.
Poles Unhappy with Obama’s Retraction, as Entire Polish Economy Is at Stake
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk demanded a more "explicit reaction" to Obama's "Polish death camp" comment. Poland fears being sued for billions of dollars worth of property appropriated from Jews.
Technology Can Save Lives, Even in Borough Park
The Asifa was a sober and responsible approach to a real problem, and I was impressed by the quickness with which the organizers responded to the potential pitfalls of being portrayed as Luddites, which does not befit a nation of scholars and questioners.
Matzel Toff? Really?
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…?
Is Ryan Good for the Jews? Make that ‘Are the Jews Good for Ryan’
The selection of Paul Ryan, with his proposals for a trimmed-down federal budget, may not bode well for the Republican ticket among Jewish voters. And since Florida is the largest of the swing states, its Jewish voters will have a huge impact on the presidential election. On the other hand, the "Israel first" Jewish voters, after three years of constant conflict between Obama and Netanyahu, are not likely to stick with the president. Finally, what does it mean when Romney concedes the independents at the center and pick a VP to the right of him politically?
Too Much Symbolism? South Bronx Kids Visit Anne Frank Center Betwixt Freedom Tower and...
Is there such a thing as too many metaphors for the triumph of the human spirit packed into one sidewalk, especially such a crowded sidewalk near Wall Street (add that, too, to the mix, wrap in an American flag and call it a day?). But I'm probably being too cynical. It's actually a heart warming story.
Is Weiner Running for Mayor? Show Me the Money…
"I'm very happy in my present life," Weiner, 47, told People Magazine. But the WSJ is asking: if he's so stay-at-homish, what will he do with his election bucks?
Video: Ultimate Haredi Western Featuring Assassination over Get Refusal
The world is full of people without a sense of humor, as was discovered recently by Vanya Heiman, Anat Vershovsky and Amit Shimoni, all students from the "Bezalel" Academy of the Arts, who created the clip "Der Mensch" for the Visual Communication Department at the Academy. It was only supposed to be a genre exercise…
The Migron Saga – the Animated Version
The entire story of the Migron outpost explained in 3 entertaining minutes, including the missing link, the one component the High Court is yet to offer in this sad trampling over justice and lives: proof of Arab ownership.
Cartoon Rehab: For Whom the iBell Tolls
This July 2, 2011 cartoon, by Ad-Dustur, was headlined: "Apple Bows to Israeli Pressure and Removes the Palestinian Intifada Website." The argument against Apple wasn't so outrageous, free speech and all, but the choice to go with a Jew (further identified by the star of David on the hat) was just unnecessarily nasty.
Barbara Boxer Bashing Bibi on Obama
It's the stuff of early education: "my deep disappointment" and "contrary." The deep sense of betrayal oozing from every well chosen word...
‘Ashkenic’ Jews to Celebrate the Passover with Brisket and Kuegel
In Woody Allen's 1973 comic Sci Fi masterpiece "Sleeper," an underground band in the far future is trying to revive Allen's memory by acting out scenes from his childhood in Jewish Brooklyn. One of the men, in the roll of Allen's father, urges him, "Stop whining and eat your shiksa…" That was the feeling that overcame me when I read the article in Monday's Daily Mail of New Baltimore, NY, under the headline "Church brings Jewish traditions to life."
First They Impose Gun Control, Then They Send You to Auschwitz
Samuel Wurzelbacher aka “Joe the Plumber” is in hot water (which, professionally speaking, he should be able to repair) over his comments blaming the Holocaust on gun control.
Monastery Door Set on Fire and Jesus Called ‘Monkey’ – But Are You Sure...
Police said they suspect this is a response to the evacuation of Migron on Sunday. I have my doubts.
Holocaust Days of Remembrance and Traditional Coconut Pyramids
Here's the text that accompanies this image on the Pentagon-run website DefenseImagery.mil: "During the Holocaust Days of Remembrance U.S. Air Force Capt. Jennifer McGee, with the 12th Contracting Squadron, helps Madison Angelito and Alex Barner make coconut pyramids, a traditional Jewish dessert, at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas." There are Days of Remembrance? More than one? Needs checking. Also: traditional Jewish coconut pyramids? Whose tradition? Help...