What’s in it for us?

Anyone who has shopped at or toured around the famous Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, commonly known as the “shuk”, will recall the cacophony of noise which accompanies the frenetic effort of shopkeepers as they try to attract customers to their stall. Read more

On the other hand

Independence Day festivities are behind us and Eurovision mania has taken over Tel Aviv if not the rest of the country. Read more

Beware of the small print

Most of us know that it is the small print which very often determines the real meaning and intent of any document or political statement. Read more

Intolerable insanity

If your country was bombarded by over seven hundred missiles would you expect universal world condemnation or calls for restraint and diplomacy? Read more

On the other hand

As we swing from sadness & solemn remembrance on Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron to unrestrained joy on Yom Ha’Atzmaut we can take immense pride at the world breaking achievements which Israel has produced in the space of a mere seven decades. Read more

Pain and joy – tragedy and triumph

Like so many times in our people’s long journey, from a small family in pagan surroundings through exile and slavery to liberation and the beginnings of a nation in its own land, the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty in our time was accompanied by painful sacrifices. Read more

On the other hand

Hopefully, we have safely navigated Pesach, enjoyed the culinary delights offered and marvelled at the miracles which enabled our ancestors to arrive as a newly forged nation to the Promised Land. Read more

Fact or Fiction?

Who would have thought that a mere seventy-four years after the Holocaust, large numbers of people in many countries would either be ignorant of or disbelieve that this ever occurred? Read more

On the other hand

It took forty years for the Israelites to make the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Read more

Deal of the century

As Jews worldwide gather to commemorate their ancestors’ deliverance from bondage it is only appropriate that we contemplate exactly what it is we are remembering. Read more

On the other hand

The elections may be over but the hard work of establishing a viable coalition has only just begun. Read more

Judgment Day – Yom Ha’din

From the High Holyday liturgy: “who shall be exalted and who shall be brought low.” Read more

Shalom Chaver

Just over a year ago we had the pleasure of hosting Rabbi John Levi, Emeritus Rabbi of TempleBeth Israel in Melbourne, at our home in Efrat…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more

On the other hand

Whether we have more of the same or forge ahead on new paths is in the hands of the voters every few years. Read more

Lucky dip on election day

When we were growing up in Wellington many years ago (a bygone era – never to return) the highlight of the Jewish community’s social calendar and Zionist fundraising was the annual Jewish National Fund garden party. Read more

On the other hand

Our neighbours in Gaza spend all their time trying to devise new ways to cause murder and mayhem. Read more

Al Chet – for the sins we may have committed

Although as individuals it is unlikely we have transgressed every one of them we nevertheless accept collective responsibility for the possibility that as a community we may have. Read more

On the other hand

With election day rapidly approaching Israelis are faced with the dilemma of which party to cast their ballot for. Read more

Return of the Amalekites

Every year on the Shabbat prior to Purim, Jews wherever they may live, gather together to remember how the ancient Amalekites treacherously attacked the weakest and most vulnerable Israelites as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. Read more

On the other hand

Purim is just around the corner which means that parents and children are busy trying to decide which fancy dress costume they will masquerade in. Read more

Ian Lawrence  z”l

The funeral this week in Jerusalem of Ian Lawrence, a former Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand, marked the closing chapter in a long and interesting family history. Read more

On the other hand

Israel’s space capsule is orbiting in space and hopefully is still on course for a moon landing on 11 April. Read more

On the other hand

Purim is fast approaching which means that children and adults alike have some hard decisions to make as to which fancy dress costume they will cavort around in this year. Read more

Multi choice mayhem

Registration for Israel’s election has closed and voters now have the task of making an informed choice from a bewildering array of no less than a record forty-six political parties. Read more

On the other hand

In a week when election political shenanigans reached a new low, it is a welcome relief to bask in the latest positive achievements making Israel a leader in many fields. Read more

Global warning

There is a great debate going on as to whether the world’s climate is changing and if so what or who is responsible. Read more

On the other hand

The UNHRC prepares to issue its infamous blacklist of Israeli companies and businesses. Read more

Turn off the taps

What is the first thing you do when you discover that water intended for your household’s use is being diverted because of a malfunction in the pipes leading to your home? Read more

On the other hand

Political party primaries are in full swing with aspiring politicians vying for a top spot on their respective party lists. Read more

Always in the news

Since time immemorial Jews have always been in the news. Read more

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