Although events in Jerusalem have been troubling over the past few days , many of you have heard the very positive message from our guest from Israel student Rabbi Yael Karrie. She brought us closer to Israel and gave us a better understanding of what is happening in her region of Shaar Hanegev and in Israel as a whole. Reform Judaism is really gaining support in Israel and it is young dynamic leaders like her that are making it happen.
Les
Les Rothschild
President
ARZA Canada
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On Rosh Chodesh Chesvan (Oct. 24), Women of the Wall held the first ever Bat Mitzvah service at the Kotel, complete with Torah reading. Unsurprisingly, Sasha's Bat Mitzvah didn't have the blessing of the Haredi authorities at the Kotel.
Click here to add your congratulations to Sasha's Bat Mitzvah card.
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A campaign led by the Reform movement's Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC), and supported heavily by Diaspora Jews, successfully prevented Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu becoming chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Rabbi Eliyahu is notorious for his racist statements against Arabs as chief Rabbi of Tzfat.
Thanks for your support.
IRAC has made a priority of countering discrimination against Israeli Arabs. Israel's new President, Reuven Rivlin, also appears to be making Jewish-Arab reconciliation one of his main objectives.
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Rabbi Donniel Hartman argues that Israel is too powerful to be seen as simply a victim of hostility. But Israel could be part of the Mid East solution by proactively taking steps that favour peace.
Over 1,200 Syrian citizens treated have been treated in Israeli hospitals, and the number continues to rise. The first patients reacted in fear of being in Israel - now Syrians seek treatment in Israel.
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The recent murder of 2 Israelis (a 3-year-old and a 22-year-old) by a Palestinian who drove his car into a crowd of people, placed a spotlight on the question of media bias. Associated Press initially reported it as "Israelis shoot Palestinian" (since the police eventually shot the terrorist), while Britain's The Guardian called it a "car crash" and an "accident".
Honest Reporting
Rabbi Daniel Gordis suggests that hasbara (public relations) can't be effective against those who aren't open to reason.
Can the situation improve when, as Journalist Khaled Abu Toameh reports, Hamas and Fatah are now using children to throw rocks and firebombs at Israelis?
Palestinians: Stop the Children's Intifada!
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