Sharon Samber

Jewish Aging Crisis Looms

Published on August 1, 2002

With the number of Jewish elderly expected to soar over the coming decade, leaders at the national and local levels realize they must move beyond traditional methods of caring for the elderly to develop new plans and policies.

Lubavitch Recall Sept. 11

Published on March 14, 2002

Lubavitch rabbis from across the United States and 40 countries launched the 100th birthday commemoration of their spiritual leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, by marking the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Show Us the Money

Published on November 15, 2001

The word from survivors is clear: The Holocaust insurance claims process doesn't work.

Lawmakers joined survivors in their criticism, accusing the international commission charged with resolving Holocaust-era insurance claims of being too slow and not getting money to policyholders or their heirs.

Majorly Mad

Published on November 1, 2001

A Jewish reserve officer says the U.S. Army stripped him of his security clearance and forced him to give up command of an intelligence unit because of his ties to Israel.

Jews in U. S. Politics

Published on November 1, 2001

A woman who was the trusted adviser to the governor of New York in the 1920s. The ambassador to Turkey in 1889. The attorney general in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Belle Moskowitz, Solomon Hirsch and Edward Levi were all Jews involved in U.S. political life in different periods. Previously confined to the footnotes of political science textbooks or familiar only to political junkies, these figures and others are part of a new book charting Jews' impact on American political life.

The book, "Jews in American Politics," (Rowman & Littlefield, $39.95) is not simply a "locate the landsman" exercise but an attempt to address a number of issues -- such as Jewish political behavior, Jewish advocacy and the relationship between politics and Jewish identity -- along with important demographic information and more than 400 biographical profiles.

Principled Stand

Published on November 1, 2001

Israel's exclusion from the global Red Cross organization appears to have been the pivotal factor in the resignation of the head of the American Red Cross.

Hamas, Hezbollah on Latest U.S. Terror List

Published on October 11, 2001

The U.S. State Department's biannual list of foreign terrorist organizations once again includes Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups that perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israel.

But the significance of the list, issued last Friday, is unclear in light of the new U.S. war against terrorism.

Supreme Court to Rule On Vouchers

Published on October 4, 2001

The U.S. Supreme Court's long-awaited decision on the constitutionality of school vouchers is expected this term, with the high court apparently ready to tackle one of the most significant church-state rulings in years.

Cloning Controversy Multiplies

Published on August 16, 2001

In the Brave New World of cloning, most Jewish ethicists and organizations are staking out the middle ground.

Sen. McCain to Help Find Kidnapped Israelis

Published on August 9, 2001

For 10 months, the families of four Israelis kidnapped by Hezbollah have been waiting for their loved ones to return home.

Jewish Groups on Stem Cell Debate

Published on July 26, 2001

When does life begin?" is not your standard political question, but it's forcing the debate behind one of the hottest topics in Washington -- stem cell research.

The Price of Truth

Published on July 19, 2001

The irony of the situation is rich: A book conceived by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to advance Muslim-Jewish understanding may in fact end up exacerbating tension between the faiths.

Dismay Over Tax Bill

Published on June 14, 2001

Jewish charitable organizations are not going to get the help they were hoping for in the new tax bill, since the final version leaves out a proposal that might have boosted giving by billions of dollars.

Charity Obstacle?

Published on April 12, 2001

With tax cuts the talk of the town, Jewish philanthropic agencies are worried about another part of President Bush's fiscal plan: the repeal of the estate tax.

Limiting Soft Money

Published on April 5, 2001

The jury is still out on how the Senate's campaign finance reform bill would change the political influence of the Jewish community, but experts believe Jewish interests will remain well represented no matter what happens.

Building Bonds

Published on March 15, 2001

Think of the American Jewish and Latino communities as two longtime friends who have just decided to get more serious.

Big Blue’s Nazi Ties

Published on February 15, 2001

A lawsuit filed against IBM for allegedly assisting the Nazis indicates a renewed focus on the potential culpability of American companies that helped Germany during World War II.

Capitol Hill Gains

Published on November 9, 2000

One influential Jewish representative was defeated, one venerated Jewish senator retired and the number of Jewish Republicans in the House may have tripled as a result of this week's elections.Overall, the Jewish presence in Congress will increase, with several new faces in the House of Representatives.

What next for Capitol Hill?

Published on November 2, 2000

With the November elections just around the corner, Jewish observers and activists are predicting that no matter who wins control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Jewish communal agenda will encounter some of the same legislative hurdles it faced in the 106th session.

No Stranger to Controversy

Published on September 28, 2000

From the start, Martin Indyk's career as a U.S. official has been filled with intrigue.As the first Jewish ambassador to Israel and later the top State Department official in charge of Middle East policy, Indyk's words and actions have been scrutinized by Jews and Arabs, by proponents and opponents of the peace process.

Running Out of Time

Published on September 28, 2000

A group of Jewish women of all ages and backgrounds meets regularly in Brooklyn to discuss the domestic abuse they have suffered.

Guided by Faith

Published on August 10, 2000

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) has been in public life a long time and has left an extensive public trail of votes and positions on the issues.

Deconstructing Cheney

Published on July 27, 2000

On domestic issues, Dick Cheney's record could prove troublesome for some Jews. Critics cite his staunch opposition to abortion rights, gun-control measures and gay service in the military.

The China Gambit

Published on April 13, 2000

Despite friction over Israeli sales of military technology to China, President Clinton had a "good, productive, serious discussion" with Israeli Prime Minister Barak this week.