Reflecting on the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost) and how society looks at the good and bad within all of us. [Times of Israel]
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The response to the latest terrorist attack in Boston shows that the US is in complete denial about the nature of their enemy, let alone how to defeat it. [Times of Israel]
A comparison between the way Obama has directly addressed Israel vs the Arab world as seen through the language and content of his recent speech at Jerusalem vs his speech at Cairo just after he became president. [Times of Israel and David Werdiger’s Blog]
Discussion about a report on hate speech on Facebook. The masters of the social network are out of their depth in recognizing hate speech and policing it in the brave new world of free speech. [Times of Israel]
In the wake of some inappropriate comments on sex abuse by a prominent Rabbi and a huge backlash, an important lesson to all Rabbis about the need to be able to say sorry and move on, rather than just digging a deeper hole for themselves. [Times of Israel]
The Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem is a hugely popular place for the traditional Friday night prayers. This quirky piece takes an economist’s view of how one gets to the Wall and still observes the laws of Sabbath. [Times of Israel]
It’s time the world took an expectations-based approach to the conflict in the Middle East. Are we being rational in the way we respond to different events? Is there a natural optimism that doesn’t really belong? [Times of Israel]
The Menorah is one of the most enduring Jewish symbols we have – instantly recognizable, and adopted as part of the emblem of the state of Israel. The menorah lit in ancient times was symbolic of the Temple, and Judaism, being a source of light to the entire world. Facebook friends are posting many moving photos of Chanukah celebrated after WW2 and in other dark times – a much-needed source of light and inspiration. Here’s…
A satirical piece on the strategy of Palestinians to position as victims rather than get involved in the steps to genuinely build a state. That the UN decrees they are a member state makes little difference to the lives of people on the ground. [Times of Israel]
Discusses the recent military strike on Gaza by Israel, and whether this will make a real difference or if Israel is locked in a ‘Groundhog Day’ pattern of responding to never-ending rocket fire from a hostile de-facto state. [Times of Israel]
