Surreal Israel
July 3, 2018 by Ron Weiser
Once again, it is quite surreal being in Israel…writes Ron Weiser. Read more
Singers shine in Lucia di Lammermoor: an opera review by Victor Grynberg
July 3, 2018 by Victor Grynberg
Exquisite singing was the memorable takeout of the re-staging of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Read more
An open letter to the participants who left their Birthright trip
July 2, 2018 by Liel Asulin - JNS
I’m conflicted. On the one hand, I am hesitant to engage with you because a response would give your rhetoric a degree of legitimacy. On the other hand, your rhetoric is so presumptive and your intentions for participating on this trip are so disingenuous that I feel compelled to speak out…writes Liel Asulin/JNS. Read more
Is suicide as bad as murder?…ask the rabbi
July 2, 2018 by Rabbi Raymond Apple
Rabbi Raymond Apple answers this question and others. Read more
Feintooner
July 2, 2018 by Feintooner
This week’s cartoon….Syriaous. Read more
Zbaraz: a community extinguished…a book review by Geoffrey Zygier
July 2, 2018 by Geoffrey Zygier
Once there was a land called Galicia, which straddled the modern-day border between Poland and Ukraine. Read more
Play it again, Avan: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
July 1, 2018 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Avan Yu, winner of the 2012 Sydney Piano Competition, was invited back to play a concert at the Sydney Con last night. Read more
On the other hand
July 1, 2018 by Michael Kuttner
Between the soccer world cup and a visit from Prince William, Israelis have had more than enough inducement to keep them in a state of continuing excitement…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more
Melton in Sydney – The Best of the Best
July 1, 2018 by Community newsdesk
The Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning in Sydney is going from strength to strength here in Sydney according to recently appointed Director, Hilary May Black. Read more
Wishful thinking isn’t enough when it comes to Mideast peace
June 29, 2018 by Melanie Phillips - JNS.org
President Trump’s peace plan for Israel and the Palestinian Arabs, his attempt at the “deal of the century,” will apparently soon be revealed to the world…writes Melanie Phillips/JNS. Read more
False narrative haunts PLO and UN as Trump courts Arab States
June 29, 2018 by David Singer
Nabil Abu Rudeineh – spokesman for Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas – has angrily reacted to President Trump’s intensive diplomatic efforts seeking to enlist Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in advancing Trump’s long-awaited “deal of the century” to end the Arab-Jewish conflict. Read more
Otherwise occupied
June 29, 2018 by Michael Kuttner
In 1066 William the Conqueror invaded England and “illegally” occupied the country…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more
Women of Worth
June 29, 2018 by Hilary May Black
Brainchild of Vice-President, Caroline Lewis, the forthcoming WOW (Women of Worth) Weekend to be held at Sydney’s The Great Synagogue next month promises to be a must-do event for Jewish women from all walks of life. Read more
Victims of Palestinian terrorism speak out about Israeli government’s ‘pay to slay’ backtracking
June 28, 2018 by Eliana Rudee - JNS.org
The Palestinian Authority pays terrorist prisoners and families of martyrs and wounded nearly $1 million every day. According to the P.A.’s 2018 projections, 7.5 percent of its annual budget will go to terrorism, a little less than the 14.5 percent of the annual budget received from foreign aid…writes Eliana Rudee/JNS. Read more
Despite signs of moderation, Presbyterian Church continues trend of targeting Israel at its General Assembly
June 26, 2018 by Sean Savage - JNS.org
At its biennial General Assembly last week in St. Louis, the Presbyterian Church USA, one of the largest mainline churches in American Protestantism, continued to express support for the anti-Israel BDS movement by passing a number of resolutions condemning Israel. Read more
An evening with Sir Andrew Davis, Anne-Sophie Mutter and the MSO
June 25, 2018 by Ron Jontof-Hutter
The Melbourne Symphony orchestra conducted by Sir Andrew Davis played a memorable concert on Saturday evening…writes Ron Jontof-Hutter. Read more
Small communities are stronger when they work together
June 25, 2018 by Community newsdesk
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) hosted the Inaugural JCCV Small Communities Dinner with over ninety community leaders and clergy from seven small, diverse Victorian communities. Read more
What happens would you cheat the government?….ask the rabbi.
June 25, 2018 by Rabbi Raymond Apple
Rabbi Raymond Apple answers difficult questions… Read more
Feintooner
June 25, 2018 by Feintooner
This week’s cartoon…Freshening Up. Read more
Abraham Conference 2018
June 24, 2018 by Community newsdesk
A gathering of faiths at the 2018 Abraham Conference. Muslims, Jews and Christians as well as non-believers will be welcomed by Moderator Professor Kevin Dunn, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University in early August. Read more
On the other hand
June 23, 2018 by Michael Kuttner
FIFA world cup competitions, known as Mondial here, are in full swing with teams from many countries striving to become champions of soccer…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more
The New Israel Fund’s misplaced generosity
June 22, 2018 by Professor Bill Rubinstein
The New Israel Fund (NIF) has been much in the news lately, with its supporters here holding high profile meetings in Sydney and Melbourne…writes Bill Rubinstein. Read more
We can and should make BDS a pariah
June 22, 2018 by Evelyn Gordon - JNS
The BDS movement hasn’t had much luck targeting Israel’s economy or even its cultural life: Despite some high-profile cancellations, there were 140 performances by international artists last year, up from 22 in 2010…writes Evelyn Gordon/JNS. Read more
Learning the lessons of Gaza
June 22, 2018 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
In the view of many Israeli security experts, the results of the 2014 Gaza war were decisive…writes Jonathan S. Tobin, Read more
Eurovision expert visits Australia
June 22, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Breaking away
June 22, 2018 by Henry Greener-The Shtick
Ari Herschkowitz tells his story of breaking away from a strictly traditional ultra-orthodox Jewish sect in New York to the transition of finding support from groups such as Footsteps and Pathways. Read more
Jordan baulks at replacing PLO in negotiations with Israel on Trump plan
June 22, 2018 by David Singer
President Trump’s long-awaited plan on ending the Arab-Israeli conflict will be further delayed following a flurry of diplomatic activity over the past week…writes David Singer. Read more
UK’s royal ‘settlers’ understanding of Jerusalem
June 22, 2018 by Stephen M.Flatow - JNS.org
The staff of Great Britain’s Prince William has set off a controversy by listing Jerusalem under “Occupied Palestinian Territories” in the itinerary for his upcoming visit to the region…writes Stephen M. Flatow/JNS. Read more
Double speak needs to be challenged
June 22, 2018 by Michael Kuttner
George Orwell hit the nail on the head when he stated: “The further society drifts from truth the more it will hate those that speak it”…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more
Danby: Australia to stay in UNHRC but join the US in fighting anti-Israel bias at the UN
June 21, 2018 by Michael Danby
Australia should remain in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), but in America’s absence we will have to fight even harder for the organisation based at the old League of Nations headquarters in Geneva, to rebalance its focus on international human rights…writes Michael Danby. Read more
