Where has our humanity gone?…asks Shira Sebban
April 9, 2014 by Shira Sebban
As an Australian Jew, I am ashamed by the treatment of asylum seekers in both Australia and Israel. Read more
Blaming Israel for the Collapse of the Peace Negotiations…writes Isi Leibler
April 7, 2014 by Isi Leibler
All signs indicate that the moribund peace process has now formally collapsed. Read more
Palestine – Kerry Can’t Keep Kidding Himself…writes David Singer
April 6, 2014 by David Singer
US Secretary of State John Kerry’s unshakeable belief that he could succeed in facilitating what had eluded former American Secretaries of State for the last 20 years – the creation of a 22nd Arab State in the West Bank and Gaza for the first time ever in recorded history – has been shattered following Israel cancelling the release of 26 prisoners convicted of terrorist attacks prior to the 1993 Oslo Accords. Read more
Bread and then matzah…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
April 4, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
One of the important parts of Pesach is the Mitzvah to eat Shmura Matzah at the Seder. Read more
How Low Can You Go?….asks Michael Kuttner
April 4, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
When it comes to the Palestinian Arab Authority and now it seems the White House and State Department the depths to which they have sunk has created a new record in cynical behavior of a kind not seen for many years. Read more
Remove Section 18C – normalise Holocaust denial…writes Andre Oboler
April 4, 2014 by Andre Oboler
The Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI), the national harm prevention charity dedicated to online hate issues, has warned that proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act will have the effect of normalising Holocaust denial, racist Aboriginal memes and more in social media. Read more
Learning Hebrew
April 4, 2014 by Nanette Horak
BJE’s popular adult Hebrew classes, taught by Sarah Friend, emphasise the development of modern Hebrew speaking skills to help those wishing to communicate with family in Israel, help their children with Hebrew, appreciate Jewish culture, provide easier access to Israeli media information and literature or, simply, improve their knowledge of the language. Read more
The Disastrous Outcome of the “Peace Negotiations”…writes Isi Leibler
April 2, 2014 by Isi Leibler
As anticipated, the Obama administration’s efforts to impose a peace settlement have proved to be a disastrous failure. It is immaterial whether the negotiations formally break down or a face saving “framework agreement” is adopted which is non-binding and incorporates sufficient reservations to make it meaningless. Regrettably, the US intervention has only exacerbated the situation and even undermined the chances of low profile interim progress and economic cooperation. Read more
Alexey Yemtsov – Piano Recital…a review by Fraser Beath McEwing
March 30, 2014 by Fraser Beath McEwing
When Ukrainian born pianist, Alexey Yemtsov, tackled an extensive and punishing Russian composer program for his recital at the Art Gallery of NSW on the weekend, he did more than play the required notes. Read more
Palestine – Kerry’s Credibility Crashes As Abbas’s Intransigence Increases,,,writes David Singer
March 30, 2014 by David Singer
US Secretary of State John Kerry has seen his reputation and prestige shredded to tatters over the past few weeks. Read more
Have you eaten dessert?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
March 28, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
Question: I have worked hard to be a good, decent and honorable human being. I don’t drink, smoke or eat unhealthy food. I don’t cheat, lie, gossip or humiliate other people. I stay away from bad company and am allergic to shady business. But I am still unhappy and constantly have this ongoing feeling of emptiness. Can you help? Read more
Chutzpa of the Week…writes Michael Kuttner
March 27, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
Another example of naïve Israelis being treated as idiots by those with whom they keep hoping will become peace partners occurred in Jerusalem this week. Read more
Face to Face with Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel
Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel is a major media personality in Israel. J-Wire spoke with him about major concerns affecting Israel today. Read more
The Radicalization of the Haredi World…writes Isi Leibler
March 26, 2014 by Isi Leibler
The polarization within the Jewish religious arena is sharply reflected both by the dramatic weakening of modern Orthodox streams and in the growing radicalization of the haredi world and empowerment of its most extreme elements.
Read more
Never Forget to Lie – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 23, 2014 by Roz Tarszisz
Some children survived the Holocaust only by denying their faith. “Never forget to lie,” is what they were told to do to survive. Read more
It’s not all in the packaging…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
March 21, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
In our modern society achievement seems to be linked with external appearance. Read more
Palestine – Kerry Risks Sacrificing Holy Land For Holy Dollar…writes David Singer
March 21, 2014 by David Singer
“But now the holy dollar rules everybody’s lives – Gotta make a million doesn’t matter who dies” [Queensrÿche – Revolution Calling]
US Secretary of State John Kerry has increased the possibility of renewed conflict in the Holy Land with some very confusing remarks this week refuting his earlier demand that the PLO recognize Israel as the Jewish State. Read more
Peace Partner? Judge for Yourselves
March 20, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
The three wise men of our generation, Barak Hussein Obama, John Kerry and Shimon Peres, together with other followers of the illusory holy grail of a vanishing mirage, continue to assert and maintain that Mahmoud Abbas, whose term as President of the Palestinian Authority expired quite a few years ago, is a genuine partner for peace. Read more
Besa: The Promise…a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 20, 2014 by Roz Tarszisz
A moral code that must be honoured in word and deed is at the heart of Besa:The Promise, a story of faith, decency and humanity that has waited decades to be told. Read more
Calling for volunteers to help grow Limmud-Oz!
Calling for volunteers to help grow Limmud-Oz in Sydney! Read more
My Deutschland 2014 Diary…writes Michael Danby
March 19, 2014 by Michael Danby
The Greeks may fear and loathe Frankfurt as a crass citadel of German capitalism. Not me. Read more
When Day Breaks…a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 18, 2014 by Roz Tarszisz
When an unfinished piece of music – When Day Breaks – comes into his hands, it changes the life and perceptions of an elderly, retired music teacher living in modern Belgrade. Read more
Life? Or Theatre?…a film review by Roz Tarszisz
March 17, 2014 by Roz Tarszisz
Truth or Fiction? A documentary is a brief introduction to a subject about which we may know very little. The viewer is taken into another world by expanding our knowledge of a small slice of it. Should we expect it to accurately reflect the truth? Read more
Putin, Ukraine and the Jews…writes Isi Leibler
March 17, 2014 by Isi Leibler
The international crisis created by Putin’s military incursion into Crimea has also served to highlight again Russia’s relationship to the Jews. Read more
Shalom Institute to present documentary on contemporary slavery
Sydney’s Shalom Institute is to present the inaugural Australian screening of the human trafficking documentary film Not My Life. Read more
With friends like these…writes Michael Kuttner
March 16, 2014 by Michael Kuttner
“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy “(Aesop) This quote came to me as soon as I heard the latest pronouncements emanating forth from the US Secretary of State, John Kerry. Read more
International Women’s Day
March 14, 2014 by J-Wire Staff
Jewish Care’s Active Living Centre clients has marked International Women’s Day. Read more
Forwards and Backwards…writes Emily Gian
March 14, 2014 by Emily Gian
Returning last week to my work desk after a long maternity break, I was reminded of the famous quote from Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard that “life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards”. Read more
Palestine – A Stone’s Throw Away From Syria…writes David Singer
March 14, 2014 by David Singer
It boggles the imagination that Australia’s national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) could have been involved in a joint investigation between its premier Public Affairs show – “Four Corners” – and one of Australia’s leading newspapers – The Australian – in producing a 45 minute television documentary – “Stone Cold Justice” – examining the treatment of Palestinian children in Israel’s military court system. Read more
Unmasking…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
March 14, 2014 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
The festival of Purim is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. One of the traditions of Purim is dressing up in fancy dress and wearing masks. What is the reason for this custom and how does it connect to the celebration of the day? Read more
