On the other hand

Israel is a country of striking contrasts in climate and geography, in its ethnicities and faiths. Read more

Useful Yidiots

One of the best definitions I have seen of the term, “useful idiots” is One who is seen to unwittingly support a malignant cause through their ‘naive’ attempts to be a force for good. Read more

On the other hand

It looks as though the 4^th wave of the Coronavirus plague is waning in Israel and that has been achieved without lockdowns. Read more

Somewhere over the rainbow

As we read in the Torah portion, Noach, the rainbow became a symbol that God would not destroy the world by flood again. Read more

On the other hand

Whew – the holyday season is finished and the country is slowly returning to normal activity. Read more

Brick walls

In our journey through life, we more often than not encounter brick walls. Read more

On the other hand

We are in the midst of the intermediate days of Sukkot (the Festival of Tabernacles) when Israelis take to the road, nature parks are filled to capacity and schools are on vacation again. Read more

What’s in a name?

The simple answer to this conundrum is – “quite a lot it seems.” Read more

On the other hand

By the time you read this the sound of hammering and electric drills will be heard the length and breadth of Israel. Read more

Yomai Hadin – Days of Judgement

We have, according to Jewish tradition, ten days in which we can hope to alter any Divine decree made about us on Rosh Hashanah. Read more

On the other hand

Shana Tova – may this coming year be one in which we vanquish the corona plague, we can all return to normal communal activities and joyous occasions can be celebrated together. Read more

One step forward and two steps back

It’s that time of the (Jewish) year again when we take stock of the past and pray for a better future in the year ahead. Read more

Imbecilic insanity

Former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is reported as having called the American Administration’s total pullout from Afghanistan as imbecilic. Read more

On the other hand

Having done very well at the recent Olympic Games, Israel is now eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming Paralympics. Read more

Questionable friends

“In life, we never lose friends, we only learn who the TRUE ones are.” Read more

On the other hand

Experts warn us that the climate is changing and temperatures are rising worldwide. Read more

Whistling in the wind

Trying unsuccessfully to change something which cannot be changed is the simple meaning of “whistling in the wind.” Read more

On the other hand

Israel may not be a world power in the sporting arena but nevertheless, our sportspeople at the Tokyo Olympics still managed to bring home some coveted medals. Read more

Band-aids don’t work

Trying to staunch major traumas with band-aids is a losing strategy. Read more

On the other hand

Temperatures are soaring, Ben & Jerry’s is melting and Israelis are taking their families away to exotic places for a vacation. Read more

Boycotters’ fiesta

Fiestas originated in pagan traditions and became celebrated events under Spanish rule. Read more

On the other hand

Boycotts are all the flavour of the week with Ben & Jerry’s freezing their ice creams in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. Read more

Remembering Zion

As I sat listening to the recitation of Lamentations (Eichah) and various kinot this Tisha B’Av, I couldn’t help thinking what a difference a couple of millennia can make. Read more

On the other hand

A recent report mentioned that Israel is among the leading countries in the development and usage of artificial intelligence. Read more

Inaction invites inevitable ramifications

Kicking the can down the road is a popular ploy of politicians. Read more

On the other hand

This week we welcome Israel’s incoming President, Yitzhak Herzog, and say thanks to outgoing President, Reuven Rivlin. Read more

Which promised land?

The Fourth of July anniversary this week has turned out to be a somewhat more auspicious time for soul searching among many Jews than has been the case in past years. Read more

On the other hand

It looks as though international travel and tourism are going to take quite a time to return to pre-pandemic levels. Read more

Missing links

Great excitement has broken out following the discovery in Israel of prehistoric bones identified as Homo Nesher Ramla, a hitherto unknown species of human. Read more

On the other hand

The long summer school holidays have arrived and students are enjoying their release from lessons following a year marked by corona lockdowns and disrupted studies. Read more

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