Rachel Pomerance

A ‘Promise’ to Help Jews Overseas

Published on December 1, 2005

The thought of Klara Kogan, who exists on a paltry government pension, haunts Steven Schwager, executive vice president of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which provides relief and welfare to Jews abroad.

50 Nifty Jewish Groups

Published on September 15, 2005

Do the words "innovative" and "Jewish groups" seem like oxymorons? Not to the publishers of "Slingshot," a new guidebook to the "50 most innovative Jewish groups in North America," published by a division of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies.

50 Nifty Jewish Groups

Published on September 15, 2005

Do the words "innovative" and "Jewish groups" seem like oxymorons? Not to the publishers of "Slingshot," a new guidebook to the "50 most innovative Jewish groups in North America," published by a division of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies.

Can Jewish Groups Get Back on Track?

Published on July 21, 2005

A wave of recent gatherings has tackled the existential questions facing world Jewry, and many are aimed at or driven by new actors. The slew of new forums focusing on the future of the Jewish people reveals a certain angst about today's challenges and raises questions about how much faith Jews have in existing institutions to address those challenges.

Israel Has Wish List for U.N.‘s 60th

Published on June 23, 2005

As the United Nations prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding in San Francisco, the occasion is bittersweet for Jewish observers.

It was the United Nations that sanctioned the State of Israel's birth in 1948, but it gave the Jewish state the status of an ugly stepchild -- constantly singling out Israel for condemnation and excluding Israel, alone among U.N. member states, from full membership in the regional groupings that apportion key positions at the world body.

That said, Israel recently has made strides at the United Nations.

Jewish-Black Ties Loosen Over Years

Published on January 13, 2005

Until now, the 1964 murders of three civil rights campaigners has been unresolved. The recent arrest of a suspect in the Mississippi murders of Andrew Goodwin and Michael Schwerner -- both Jews -- and James Chaney, a black man, has re-focused attention on a relationship once bound in blood.

As Jews prepare to mark Martin Luther King Day, however, to what extent have black-Jewish relations shifted from their historic marriage?

Tikkun Olam

Published on January 6, 2005

When it comes to helping victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami, the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is taking the adage, "teach a man how to fish," quite literally.

As part of its long-term relief efforts for victims of the Dec. 26 tragedy, the group is working with its partner organizations in the region, including the Sanghamitra Service Society in Andhra Pradesh, India, which helps local fishing communities with sustainable development and disaster preparedness. The philosophy behind the group's post-tsunami effort is the same as that behind general AJWS operations -- long-term efforts through collaboration with groups in the region.

News Service Shows Israel’s Other Side

Published on December 16, 2004

Bemoaning the way Israel is portrayed in the news is something of a favorite pastime for many American Jews. But rather than complain that Israel is depicted unfairly in its conflict with the Palestinians, two Silicon Valley executives are taking a different approach.

Charity List Shows Fundraising Stability

Published on November 4, 2004

Who's up and who's down in Jewish charities? While a recent snapshot of some of the largest Jewish charities reveals that Jewish fundraising generally is stable, nuances in the numbers reveal the viccissitudes -- and why.

Duke Hillel Fights Pro-Palestinian Forum

Published on October 7, 2004

The Israeli-Palestinian issue is intensifying the fall-semester buzz at Duke University this year.

Europe Held Key in U.N. Fence Ruling

Published on July 22, 2004

When it comes to action at the United Nations, Europe -- considered by many observers to be the organization's moral bellwether -- often decides the course.

That was the case again this week as the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding that Israel comply with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that it must tear down its West Bank security barrier and compensate Palestinians affected by its construction.

A Thaw in Relations

Published on April 8, 2004

Who says that Israelis and Palestinians can't work together? On New Year's Day, a group of Israelis and Palestinians embarked on a 35-day expedition to Antarctica that culminated in the scaling and naming of an unexplored mountain.

The group, Breaking the Ice, was honored this month for diplomacy through sport by Search for Common Ground, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conflict resolution.

This Year in Jerusalem

Published on March 18, 2004

For the past decade, members of Shaare Shalom, a Persian synagogue in Great Neck, N.Y., have traveled en masse to Miami each Passover.

Study of Federations Finds Job Sexism

Published on March 11, 2004

While a new report says that sexism pervades the North American Jewish federation system, in Los Angeles, the facts paint a much more positive picture of gender equality.

Campus Advocates Spring Ready

Published on February 26, 2004

The Israel programs aim to imbue students with the knowledge and emotion only first-hand experience in Israel can provide, organizers said. The goal is for students to return to campus with personal stories and new energy to help them promote Israel effectively and get others involved in the cause.

Young, Hip, Heeb

Published on January 8, 2004

"Heeb is a special subset of the genus Jew," explained Joshua Neuman, 31, the new editor-in-chief and only paid staffer of Heeb magazine, a hipper-than-thou take on modern Jewish identity. With its gritty irony, the nearly 2-year-old magazine taps into a young Jewish generation that thirsts for Judaism but rejects its standard trappings.

Jews Aid in Quake Despite Iran Rebuff

Published on January 1, 2004

Beggars apparently can be choosers -- or so the Iranian government seems to believe.

The Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran, which is struggling to recover from the Dec. 26 earthquake that killed at least 20,000 people and damaged an entire region, has announced that it will not accept humanitarian aid from the "Zionist entity."

However, U.S. Jews and Israelis still are finding ways to help the victims. And one of the few U.S. nongovernmental organizations running relief on the ground is led by an Iranian American Jew.

Funding Our Jewish Future

Published on December 4, 2003

Imagine a world in which every newborn child receives a voucher toward early childhood Jewish education and a free trip to Israel.

That's what philanthropist Michael Steinhardt asked 4,000 delegates to the North American Jewish federation system's General Assembly to consider earlier this month.

The "Newborn Gift" would be part of an overall investment in strengthening Jewish education that Steinhardt is proposing. He told delegates that he was willing to contribute $10 million to the project, which he called the Fund for Our Jewish Future -- on condition that his contribution represent no more than 10 percent of the total fund.

In other words, the former Wall Street tycoon was challenging the audience to raise at least $90 million for Jewish education in the Diaspora.

Grappling With Competing Needs

Published on November 20, 2003

While most participants at the North American Jewish federation system's annual conference were happy just to be in Israel this week, the network's decision makers were grappling with another matter -- funding for overseas partners.

Will Not Let You Go!

Published on September 11, 2003

For the past 12 years, the Elite Academy has drawn 9,000 students from Latin America and the former Soviet Union to Israel's top high schools. This year, the free program, which provides students with a stipend and health insurance, expanded to 32 countries -- including the United States and Canada -- after a request from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Communities Find Light in Darkness

Published on August 21, 2003

"I gotta tell you," said Lenny Silberman, North American continental director of the JCC Maccabi Games, "doing this for the games for 20 years and working with those communities, the potential for a big balagan [brouhaha] was definitely there."

McDonald’s to Fund Kosher Ed

Published on June 5, 2003

An Illinois court ruled May 20 that the world's most ubiquitous burger joint must sink $1 million into education about Judaism's kosher laws.

Berkeley Donors Linked to Terrorists

Published on May 8, 2003

Funders of UC Berkeley's Center for Middle Eastern Studies have links to Al-Qaeda, according to a campus Jewish newspaper.

U.S. Jews Differ on Israel Attachment

Published on April 30, 2003

Delight shot through the classroom of eighth-graders like a pogo stick gone wild.

The 35 students at the Heschel School on Manhattan's Upper West Side erupted Monday afternoon with giddy comments and questions about the two-week trip to Israel they were about to begin the next morning.

Women Suffer Blow on Praying at Wall

Published on April 10, 2003

Anti-Semitic Acts Climb On Campuses

Published on March 27, 2003

Jews Vulnerable in Muslim Lands

Published on March 27, 2003

As the U.S. military pounds Iraq, Jewish communities in Muslim countries may become increasingly vulnerable.

War Talk Stirs Up Mixed Views in U.S.

Published on March 20, 2003

On the eve of war, Jewish communities around the country expressed emotions ranging from fear for personal security to fear for Israel's security to finding security in God.

Ramon Memorialized Across America

Published on February 6, 2003

The groundswell of emotion in response to Ilan Ramon's death has not only been a great inspiration for American Jews, it also has helped strengthen the bond Americans feel for Israel.

"It's a state of mourning for the whole nation. Our school is no different," said Joseph "J.P." Schwarcz, 18, a Yeshiva University freshmanin New York.

At the same time, Schwarcz was quick to note the distinct status of Israel's representative on board, Ramon, as a role model for Jews.

"Throughout the whole week, our deans have come into our class and discussed with us how we should be just like Ilan Ramon," he said.

In mourning the tragic flight of the whole Columbia crew, Jews across America are especially touched by the loss of Ramon. Whether Jews saw him as pioneer or peacemaker, most saw him as the best of the Jewish people.

Palestinian Supporters Gift-Wrap Message

Published on October 17, 2002

In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United States is considered Israel's last remaining key ally. Aiming to change that, the anti-Israel movement on college campuses has adopted a message rooted in bedrock American ideals.

Jewish Groups Help Sept. 11 Victims

Published on September 5, 2002

The stench in New York after Sept. 11 reminded Julia Millman of Europe.

Pain in the Pocketbook

Published on August 22, 2002

Shortly after September 11, when the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles (JFGLA) renewed its insurance policy, it found that rates nearly doubled.

This year, it will be even worse, according to Jack Klein, the Federation's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Americans Fight Terror With Aliyah

Published on July 11, 2002

Nearly 400 North American Jews -- 150 under the age of 12 -- who made aliyah in what is believed to be the largest group of North Americans to immigrate at one time to Israel.

Federations Send Aid to Argentina

Published on March 7, 2002

The United Jewish Communities has pledged more than $40 million this year for the rescue and relief of the Jews of Argentina.

Mating Call or Terrorist Revenge?

Published on March 7, 2002

A new weapon may have emerged in the Palestinians' battle against Israel -- the "siren call."

Indirect Victims

Published on February 14, 2002

An alarming number of at-risk children are among the Jewish victims of Argentina's economic collapse.

Another of ‘Iran 10’ Released

Published on January 24, 2002

Thirteen Jews originally were arrested on espionage charges in the winter of 1999. Many of the accused "confessed" to the charges, though Jewish groups scoffed at the idea that the confessions were offered freely. Several later recanted.