A talk with a Palestinian lawyer in Ramallah

In 2018, we had the opportunity to visit Ramallah with our German friend, former journalist, Johannes Gerloff. We had just visited Yasser Arafat’s tomb and were returning to our car when we encountered a rather irate Palestinian lawyer who was happy to engage with us and what he shared was revealing. Read more

Hebrew University: Desert regions may be best predictors of climate change in wetter areas

When it comes to the world’s climate, in the past decade, planet Earth keeps sending us its summer siren’s call. According to NASA, nineteen of the hottest years have occurred since 2000, with 2016 and 2020 tied for the hottest on record. This summer is already making worldwide headlines, with England scorching beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Read more

Tu B’Av unites six Sydney youth organisations

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B’nai B’rith Courage to Care’s change of leadership in Victoria

Dr Tony Weldon stepped down as Chair of B’nai B’rith Courage to Care (Vic.)at its recent Annual General Meeting where the organisation celebrated its 30th anniversary. Read more

From Australia’s Jewish Past: Helena Rubinstein  – an young Jewish entrepreneur who created a beauty empire

Helena was born on 25 December 1870. She was the eldest of eight daughters born to Polish Jews – Augusta and Horace Rubinstein. Read more

Rushdie and the Satanic clerics of Iran

In May 2015, the PEN Literary Gala presented its Freedom of Expression Courage Award to the slain cartoonists of the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo.” Read more

What are the origins of tefillin?

Ask the rabbi. Read more

Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine – Interviewing author Ali Shihabi

A plan proposed by Ali Shihabi  – a Saudi author and commentator on Middle Eastern Politics -proposing the merger of Jordan, Gaza and part of the West Bank into one single territorial entity to be called “The Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine” – has received little attention in the Israeli media or been commented on by Israeli politicians since its release on 8 June. Read more

Confronting South Africa’s official anti-Zionism

In no other democratic country in the world has anti-Zionism enjoyed the kind of mainstream success that it has in South Africa. Read more

Saudi social-media influencer: ‘Hope our nation will sign a peace treaty with Israel’

Saudi social-media influencer Mohammed Saud, who recently made both waves and friends by playing Israel’s national anthem “Hatikvah” on the oud, tells JNS that “Saudi Arabian citizens are starting to learn much more about the Jewish people around the world.” Read more

Jewish Valentine’s Day

I would hazard a guess that some fifty per cent of people who call themselves Jews had no idea that last Sunday was the Tisha B’Av, Ninth of Av, much less fast. Read more

On the other hand

They are off and running. Read more

Unmistaken disparates

Two news items, totally unconnected, caught my attention because they both are perfect examples of how Israel is a leader in innovation and at the same time a favourite target of double standards. Read more

Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine vote winner for Lapid, Gantz, Bibi

With Israeli elections due in October – the major players vying to become Israel’s next Prime Minister – current caretaker PM -Yair Lapid, current Minister of Defence – Benny Gantz and current Opposition Leader – Bibi Netanyahu have yet to issue any statement on the Saudi plan released on 8 June to merge Jordan, Gaza and part of the West Bank into a single territorial entity to be called The Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine. Read more

Shabbat VaEtchanan: Do they admire us?

Almost hidden in the long speech of Moses this week are two sentences that I have great difficulty reading because even though they are magnificent, they fall short of reality. Read more

Two thirds and one Dean: A music review by Fraser Beath McEwing

Albert Einstein is credited as saying: ‘Before Beethoven, music was written for the immediate. With Beethoven, you start writing music for eternity.’ Read more

The Marvellous Life of Carlo Gatti: A theatre review by Alex First

A pianist from an ice cream parlour (Connor Dariol), a psychologist (Shamita Siva) and a physicist (El Kiley) get together. Read more

The Secret Jewish History of Olivia Newton-John

J-Wire republishes an article by Seth Rogovoy on Olivia Newton-John originally published in forward.com. Read more

The Importance of Being Jewish: a theatre review by Alex First

A romp, The Importance of Being Jewish showcases playwright Rob Selzer’s insight and wit. Read more

The strategic blindness of Israel’s caretaker government

“Operation Breaking Dawn” was a textbook illustration of Israel’s tactical brilliance and prowess on the one hand and strategic blindness on the other. Read more

Gaza fighting changes nothing about Israel’s image struggle

If a ceasefire holds, the latest fighting between Israel and Palestinian terrorists in Gaza won’t have changed much in a conflict that’s already lasted a century. Read more

From Australia’s Jewish Past: Esther Kahn – one of Australia’s most successful women composers and the first music therapist in Australia

Esther was born in 1877 in London of German/Jewish descent.  At the age of five, she made her first public appearance in London as a pianist and won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music – an amazing opportunity for such a young child – but unfortunately, she was not able to take it up as the family moved to Sydney in 1883, just before her sixth birthday. Read more

Israeli-led research develops molecule that makes immunotherapy available to all cancer patients

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the University of Lisbon have jointly identified and synthesised a small molecule that could be a more accessible and effective alternative to an antibody that is successfully used to treat a range of cancers. Read more

Rabbinical Council discuss what the future might bring

Rav Rimon at Mizrachi last week gave a shiur entitled “What Shabbat will look like in 10 years” to the Rabbinical Council of Victoria. Read more

Astrology and Judaism

Ask the rabbi. Read more

Feintooner

This week’s cartoon…The Root of all Evil. Read more

With al-Zawahiri’s assassination, it’s Groundhog Day for America (again)

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, both the Biden administration and the European Union are out to lunch. Read more

Anti-Semitism: Back to square one?

Monitoring and analyzing contemporary anti-Semitism, which I do rather frequently, is most of the time a frustrating experience, but no more so than now. Read more

Wennesland in La-La Land ignoring Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine

It is amazing to think that one of the highest ranking United Nations officials dealing with the Palestine question – Tor Wennesland – could address the Security Council on the current situation without telling that august body of a significant new proposal that could finally end this 100-years old unresolved Jewish-Arab conflict. Read more

Ambassador visits Hobart

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, has visited Hobart, met with community members and toured the historic synagogue. Read more

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