Rebutting Julian Burnside
March 10, 2015 by Geoff Bloch
It is Julian Burnside’s opinion that the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Andrew Bolt pose the greatest threat to our way of life (“The Islamophobia stirred up by Abbott and Bolt is a bigger threat to us than terrorism” The Guardian 26/2)…writes Geoff Bloch. Read more
It’s all about Bibi…writes Ron Weiser
March 8, 2015 by Ron Weiser
The most amazing thing about the coming Israeli election is that with so much going on in the region and with so many internal issues needing attention, when it comes to policy issues this is a Seinfeld election – an election about nothing – a policy free zone. Read more
Purim Paradoxes…writes Michael Kuttner
March 6, 2015 by Michael Kuttner
Jewish communities worldwide have this week been celebrating the Festival of Purim which commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jews from genocidal intentions. Read more
The forgotten issue in the Iran debate…writes Stephen M. Flatow
March 5, 2015 by Stephen M.Flatow - JNS.org
“There was nothing new in it.” With those six words, President Barack Obama tried to dismiss the significance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. Read more
Netanyahu nails the fundamental problem with Iran…writes Ben Cohen
March 5, 2015 by Ben Cohen - JNS.org
I have to confess that I was disappointed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference this year. Read more
Jewish values and force in armed conflict
March 5, 2015 by J-Wire Staff
Thirty members of Melbourne’s Zionist community have participated in a forum instigated by the Jewish People’s Policy Institute (JPPI) on the question of “Jewish Values and the use of force in Armed Conflict”. Read more
Treasures of the Venetian Ghetto – Restored by Venetian Heritage
It is almost two decades since Australian hosted a major a major international exhibition on Judaica.
Inherent Vice – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 5, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice has the lot – sex, drugs and a great rock soundtrack – tied up in a classic detective noir.
Supporters remembered
March 4, 2015 by Donna Surdut
Longstanding supporters Richard and Marietta Manders, responsible for a $3.5m bequest to Jewish Care, have been remembered and celebrated at a special commemoration. Read more
Be The Change – Live Your Dream
March 4, 2015 by Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Imagination is the most spiritual aptitude we possess. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of…writes Rabbi Laibl Wolf. Read more
Netanyahu Flies into Washington on a Wing and a Prayer
March 3, 2015 by David Singer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Washington this week is going ahead despite unsuccessful attempts from far and wide to shoot him down in flames before he was even airborne….writes David Singer. Read more
Haman and Mordechai – a Purim story from Rabbi Raymond Apple
March 3, 2015 by Rabbi Raymond Apple
Countless generations have found it amusing. Some are completely scandalised. The halachah tells us that on Purim one should imbibe “until one does not know the difference between ‘Cursed be Haman’ and ‘Blessed be Mordechai'”. Read more
Sydney Theatre Company’s Suddenly Last Summer – a theatre review by Deb Meyer
March 1, 2015 by Deb Meyer
In Suddenly Last Summer, Tennessee Williams poses the search for truth in a world half real and half surreal. Read more
Purim and Noise…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
February 27, 2015 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
The festival of Purim (celebrated this year on Wednesday night 4 March and Thursday 5 March) is just a few days away. Read more
Elections for the Short Attention Span…writes Emily Gian
February 27, 2015 by Emily Gian
The Israeli elections are getting close, and with only three weeks to go before polling, the entire country is in full campaign mode. Read more
Situations Vacant…writes Michael Kuttner
February 27, 2015 by Michael Kuttner
This week has provided yet more proof that in Washington at least the battle against Islamic terror is at best half-hearted and at worst magnificently muddled.
Read more
Challenge for the Rabbinate
February 26, 2015 by Romy Leibler
In bygone days, the title of Rabbi commanded automatic respect and reverence. In modern times, respect has to be earned…writes Romy Leibler. Read more
The Apple of G-d’s Eye…writes Rabbi Laibl Wolf
February 25, 2015 by Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Apples have gotten a bad rap. Fables abound with poison apples. Adam and Eve’s quick-fix Dr. Oz apple diet was all the rage in early creation time. Read more
Run for kids
February 25, 2015 by J-Wire Staff
Fancy going on a run? What if it’s for a good cause? Read more
From tragedy, families of slain Israeli teens create the gift of unity
February 25, 2015 by Jeffrey F. Barken - JNS.org
The mother of one of three teens whose murder in Israel led to the Operation Protective Edge war Gaza has spoken of how his death has created unity in the Diaspora. Read more
Will the true leaders stand up?…asks Avi Vorcheimer
February 25, 2015 by Avi Vorcheimer
The recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia, brought with it a tremendous amount of pain and embarrassment to Jews throughout the world. Read more
Islamic State: Egypt wakes up – when will America and Russia?
February 25, 2015 by David Singer
Whilst the American–led coalition continues its largely ineffectual air strikes in Iraq and Syria – Islamic State has spread its barbaric tentacles into Libya with alarming rapidity. Read more
The real story of Purim
February 24, 2015 by Rabbi Raymond Apple
We ask the rabbi to give us the background on Purim… Read more
Israel’s scandalous deficient response to antisemitic tsunami
February 24, 2015 by Isi Leibler
Successive Israeli governments have failed miserably to meet the challenge of global antisemitism, not providing the leadership demanded of a Jewish state in these turbulent times and leaving Diaspora Jews to their own devices…writes Isi Leibler. Read more
Netanyahu Must Develop A Strong Spine
February 24, 2015 by Gil Solomon
Having once been a courageous Sayeret Matkal commando does not automatically mean one has the attributes to lead a nation…writes Gil Solomon. Read more
A dream deal with Iran
February 24, 2015 by Ben Cohen - JNS.org
Love, as the song goes, is in the air. If the latest media reports are accurate, the United States and the Iranian regime are rapidly closing in on a deal over the mullahs’ nuclear ambitions. Read more
Celebrate Purim Safely
February 24, 2015 by Talia Zimmerman
Talia Zimmerman writes on the importance of drinking safely on Purim…with tips and a tale. Read more
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel…a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
February 23, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
There are expectations that come with the follow-up to a successful movie. Read more
Award for Helene Gonski
February 23, 2015 by Natalie Shymko
Sydney’s Montefiore Home has announced that volunteer Hélène Gonski recently won the 2015 Woollahra Council Senior Citizen of the Year Award. Read more
Eastern Boys – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
February 22, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
At Paris’s Gare du Nord station, a group of boys – some teenagers, some younger – are hanging around, constantly moving and regrouping. There are at least dozen, fluidly crisscrossing the station. Who are they? What are they up to? What language are they speaking? It’s certainly not French. Read more
