A look at the upcoming Knesset
May 11, 2020 by Ron Weiser
Well, if nothing changes between now and Wednesday, we will finally see an actual Israeli government being sworn in. Read more
On the other hand
May 10, 2020 by Michael Kuttner
How quickly do we return to a normal routine after the coronavirus seems to wane? Read more
Behind the South African Festival
May 10, 2020 by Henry Benjamin
Claire Jankelson and Di Singer are the directors of the South African Film Festival. Claire answers questions for J-Wire. Read more
The moral imperative to bring Malki Roth’s murderer to justice
On Aug. 9, 2001, 15-year-old Israeli-Australian Malki Roth was among the 15 Israelis and tourists slaughtered in a suicide bombing at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem. Read more
Courting controversies
May 8, 2020 by Michael Kuttner
With the coronavirus crisis in Israel at the moment seemingly under control, attention is now focusing on several other developing dramas. Read more
May 8th, 1945
May 8, 2020 by Jeremy Rosen
May 8th VE Day is the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 1945. It marks the final defeat of the Nazis and an end to the worst crime against humanity in the history of the world. Read more
Supreme Court validates Netanyahu government weeks after attempted putsch
May 8, 2020 by Alex Traiman - JNS.org
On Wednesday, Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously rejected eight separate petitions filed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the coalition agreement he signed with former challenger Benny Gantz. Read more
Israel still suffers virus of hate even as it saves Arab lives
May 8, 2020 by Melanie Phillips - JNS.org
While countries around the world struggle to get on top of the COVID-19 crisis, Israel’s achievement so far has been remarkable. Read more
Jerusalem opens neighbourhoods, commercial and spiritual centres to stimulate ‘local tourism’
May 8, 2020 by Eliana Rudee - JNS.org
In light of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s announced plan for a phased reopening of the economy and easing of restrictions, Jerusalem has reported distinctive challenges, as well as opportunities, for the rehabilitation of its tourism industry, which, like major cities around the world, has been hard-hit by the coronavirus. Read more
15 policy challenges for new head of UNRWA
May 8, 2020 by David Bedein
The appearance of Swiss diplomat Phillipe Lazzarini as the new head of UNRWA provides a window of opportunity for UNRWA donor nations, which oversee UNRWA policy to demand a reform of UNRWA. Read more
Hit by coronavirus, drop in oil prices and US sanctions, Iran’s economy heads for free fall
May 7, 2020 by Jackson Richman - JNS
With the coronavirus pandemic sending oil prices to record lows, for Iran, which relies on oil exports as its top revenue source, the economic situation is going from bad to worse. Read more
As Israel’s Supreme Court weighs in on unity government, how much power should it have?
May 7, 2020 by Israel Kasnett - JNS.org
In a landmark ruling, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected all petitions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forming a new government while under indictment, and against the emergency unity government deal signed by Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Read more
Selby & Friends Chamber Music on Stage & Online
May 4, 2020 by Geoff Sirmai
One of Australia’s most loved classical ensembles has broken the ‘living-room broadcast’ barrier with a socially distant concert performance of Mozart, Beethoven and Dvořák – filmed live in Sydney. Read more
Ask the rabbi
May 4, 2020 by Rabbi Raymond Apple
What I get out of being Jewish?….ask the rabbi. Read more
Feintooner
May 4, 2020 by Feintooner
This week’s cartoon…Hezbollah-Rein. Read more
Opera Australia launches free online streaming platform with Joan Sutherland in the starring role
May 4, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Unable to perform live while the country is in COVID-19 lock-down, Opera Australia has created another way to share their performances with opera fans, today launching OA | TV: Opera Australia on Demand, a free online streaming service. Read more
UN Special Rapporteur incites hatred towards the Jewish People
May 4, 2020 by David Singer
Michael Lynk – UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 – has issued an explosive anti-Jewish statement that fails to acknowledge the Jewish People have any vested legal and human rights claims to reconstitute the Jewish National Home in Judea and Samaria. Read more
On the other hand
May 3, 2020 by Michael Kuttner
We have successfully survived our lone Seder and the week of Passover, mourned our fallen soldiers and civilians despite IDF cemeteries being closed to the public and celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut in a virtual manner. Read more
V-PJV Online
May 2, 2020 by Community newsdesk
Progressive Judaism Victoria has prepared online discussions every Sunday this month. Read more
Family reflections on Yom HaShoah: a personal search into the dramatic saga of her Mahler- Rose-Bujanover family
May 1, 2020 by Inna Rogatchi
I grew up with those photos. The photos from distant beautiful fairy-like life: Tuileries Garden, Paris, elegantly dressed woman, her children surrounded by birds and flowers in a totally another dimension of life. Read more
Weizmann Institute scientists develop “sniff test” that predicts recovery of consciousness in brain-injured patients
May 1, 2020 by Yael Edelman
If an unconscious person responds to smell through a slight change in their nasal airflow pattern – they are likely to regain consciousness. Read more
Is there ever a right time?
May 1, 2020 by Michael Kuttner
Israelis this week remember all those who lost their lives so that Jewish sovereignty could once again be guaranteed followed by celebrations to commemorate that historic event in 1948. Read more
Yeshayahu Leibowitz
May 1, 2020 by Jeremy Rosen
My nephew Dov, a philosopher, scholar and rabbi of YAKAR Jerusalem, sent me a brilliant essay he recently published entitled “ On Social Distancing and deontology.” Read more
Netflix’s ‘Unorthodox’ degrades Chassidic Jews into caricatures
When my Facebook feed first filled with reviews of Netflix’s “Unorthodox,” I felt no urge to watch it. The well-worn genre of predictable coming-of-age stories about the glory of secularism dwarfing one-dimensional Chassidic characters didn’t spark my interest. Read more
Following the right directions
May 1, 2020 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
A question for Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more
British Jews are too eager to embrace Starmer’s still dubious Labour Party
May 1, 2020 by Melanie Phillips - JNS.org
In both Britain and America, the Jewish community is increasingly badly served by leaders who seem less and less able to distinguish between the friends and the enemies of the Jewish people. Read more
Ever so grateful
May 1, 2020 by Carin M. Smilk
My very first apartment in New York City—in fact, my very first apartment, period—didn’t have a window in the bathroom. Read more
The leftist thought police are wrong: Taylor Swift isn’t an anti-Semite
April 30, 2020 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
In today’s woke and hyperpartisan world, nobody escapes the watchful eye of the thought police. Not even a pop superstar like Taylor Swift. Read more
Gifts from the Heart
April 30, 2020 by Kirsten Young
Elders at Melbourne’s Jewish Care have been busy assembling gift packs for people in the Jewish community to spread some cheer during these difficult days of isolation. Read more
Jewish House partners with Wesley Mission
April 29, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Sydney’s Jewish House has announced a partnership with fellow crisis agency, Wesley Mission, with the opening of a new temporary accommodation property. Read more
