Examining hate and hope one year after Pittsburgh’s deadly Tree of Life shooting
The mass shooting at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh took place exactly a year ago this past Sunday, on Oct. 27, 2018, and the tragedy remains a lesson about combating hate and bigotry against world Jewry. Read more
‘Washington Post’ calls dead ISIS leader al-Baghdadi an ‘austere religious scholar’
On Oct. 27, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Read more
JIFF tickets giveaways
J-Wire has double passes to give away for the Jewish Film Festival [JIFF]. Read more
Mr Chess passed away in South Africa
Leonard R Reitstein, aged 91, much admired and respected member of the Cape Town Jewish community, particularly Temple Israel, and as South Africa’s “Mr Chess”. passed away in August. Read more
Never Again-Austen Tayshus
Like so many I saw a number of Austen Tayshus shows in the 80’s in Pubs and clubs where you would leave drenched in sweat and feeling like you had just done nine rounds of cage wrestling with Andre the Giant and a Grizzly bear. The latest offering by Austen Tayshus at the Bondi Pavillion still leaves you battered and bruised but dying for more. Read more
A 100th birthday present for Newtown Synagogue
UJEB in the wake of the school antisemitism in Melbourne government schools
The widely reported antisemitic bullying incidents at two Melbourne government schools last week were an unfortunate reminder that there continues to be vilification of our community. The incidents were all the more shocking because children were involved. Read more
Ester Fiszman 1930-2019
The passing of Esther Fiszman at age 89 severs another vital link to our living past. Esther was a living witness to both humanity’s darkest hours. And to humanity’s warmest moments with Australia openly welcoming distraught European migrants post the war to build a new life. Read more
L’Shana Tova
The state of the U.K. Labour Party
The British Labour Party held its annual conference this week in the southern coastal city of Brighton, where tens of thousands of party members assemble. Read more
A report from the Bahamas
Is Ireland setting a dangerous precedent on Israel?
It was an Irishman, Daniel O’Connell, who persuaded the British government in 1846 to repeal an ancient discriminatory law prescribing distinctive dress for Jews. The rest of Europe followed suit…writes Sister Anastasia Kennedy. Read more
Bringing Jewish life to Budapest
Sep-15 Sydney: Book launch – In Heaven’s Name Why?
Rabbi Chaim Ingram invites the community to the launch of his newest book. Read more
Back home in the Shetlands, a taste of nostalgia and singular Jewish life
It was SRO, standing-room only—an amazing turnout. Young and old, locals and tourists, poured into the venue as part of my travels “back home.” They came, anxious to listen to my book talk and memories growing up as part of the only Jewish family on the remote Shetland Islands. The Greenwald name was respected throughout the Christian, G-d-fearing community. They came not just to hear a talk on kosher cuisine (mixed in with a dollop of nostalgia) but to share memories, still vivid, from more than 50 years ago…writes Ethel G. Hofman. Read more
Israeli teen killed, family members injured in West Bank bombing
Israeli security forces have been searching for terrorists behind an explosion on Friday near a natural spring in the West Bank that killed a teenage Israeli girl Rina Shnerb and seriously injured her father and brother. Read more
Grandmother duo assists in battling Gaza fire balloons
Linda Bracha remembers her first day on the job as a volunteer at the Gaza border: “As we were leaving at the end of our shift, we saw an incendiary kite hit the ground and found ourselves driving right into the fire it caused. Read more
Accounting for evil: Wollongong PhD examines role of numbers in Nazi Germany
At first glance, Dr Erin Twyford’s PhD is about numbers. But, dig a little deeper, and it becomes apparent that her thesis is actually about people. Read more
In the next election, let Israel win!
For many years, a key element in the Israeli psyche has been missing. Gone is the passion, not for our land, not for our state, but for our leadership. For both those in power and those in the opposition, enthusiasm has waned considerably. Read more
For Israeli children coping with loss, a week of hope and healing
Losing members of one’s family to violence is traumatic for anyone, let alone the very young. Read more
How we feel about technology today matters for tomorrow
If we took a surgeon from 100 years ago and placed them in an operating room today, it would be unlikely they would be able to do their job. Read more
A new rabbi for the ARK Centre
Over 250 people including rabbis, members of State and Federal Parliaments, community leaders, ARK Centre members, donors and friends and family have gathered to celebrate the induction of Rabbi Gabi and Rebbetzin Mushka Kaltmann as the ARK Centre Rabbi and Rebbetzin. Read more
Benefits of preparatory at Mount Sinai
As a parent, your two biggest drivers are to protect and prepare. Arguably, one of the biggest decisions you will need to make in preparing your child for their future is choosing the correct schooling for them. Read more
Political leaders across the spectrum condemn conversion therapy remarks by Minister of Education
Israel’s newly-appointed Minister of Education Rafi Peretz came under harsh criticism by elements across the political spectrum on Sunday after he stated during a Saturday night interview that conversion therapy for gay people is a possibility and that he has provided such therapy to his students in the past. Read more
A US-Israeli defence treaty? A noble idea, but neither desirable nor practical.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) recently suggested that the United States should conclude a defence treaty with Israel. Read more
Globally collaborative universities are driving the solutions of the future
In 1990, one of the most ambitious scientific endeavours the world has ever seen was launched…writes Michael Waxman-Lenz. Read more
E-cigarettes and school students
The use of e-cigarettes is on the rise, particularly among high school students in Australia, and, given that the use of these devices is a relatively new phenomenon, Sydney’s Moriah College has provided students and parents with some relevant background information. Read more
A chat with new UJEB president Gabi Crafti
Becci Krispin sat down with the new UJEB President Gabi Crafti to hear about her role and her thoughts on Jewish education in Melbourne. Read more
The Hawke Years, 1983-1991
The man who defeated Fraser in the March 1983 election was already well known for supporting Israel and other “Jewish” causes such as Soviet Jewry. Read more
