December 1, 2011 | 5:23 am

This week in power: 2012 election, Egypt, Stripsearch, Kobe Bryant

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Eying the election
With Rep. Barney Frank, a popular Jewish politician for the past 30 days, announcing he intends to step down, the focus again turns to next year’s elections. “Democrats on Capitol Hill constitute an effective barometer of Obama’s electoral fortunes. They are increasingly reluctant to support his initiatives, as they are apprehensive about a possible second round of their 2010 midterm devastation,” said Yoam Ettinger in a syndicated column. While Israel remains a critical issue for many American Jews, many believe that there’s an element of hype out there about how bad the current president has made things. “Fundamentalist cults, and particularly the most conservative Jewish rabbis, are very busy falsely trying to convince their followers that President Obama is an enemy of Israel. His greatest ‘transgression’ is that he advocates a Palestinian state and peace between Jews and Arabs,” said Elazar Hiller in the Florida’s Sun-Sentinel. Florida will remain a battleground state all the way through, and Vice President Joe Biden is making his campaign rounds there.

Egypt fears
Israel is trying to solidify its peace treaty with Egypt now that the Egyptian election this week could bring an Islamic regime to power that could pose a threat to the Jewish state, according to reports. “We are witnessing an Islamist wave washing over the Arab world after decades of stable military rule,” Binyamin Netanyahu said. “We are facing uncertain times. One cannot estimate how long it will take until things stabilise. We must act responsibly and carefully. This is not the time for rash actions.” And this unrest is sparking new disputes at the Temple Mount. “If there is to be any hope for peace between Israel and its neighbors it will have to wait until there is a sea change in the political culture of a Muslim world still stuck in their irrational hatred for the Jews,” said Jonathan S. Tobin in Commentary. How great a fear is there?

A controversial stripsearch
Israel apologized on Monday after officials had reportedly forced Lynsey Addario, a Pulitzer-winning New York Times war photographer, to take off her clothes at a checkpoint last month. Addario, who is pregnant, claimed she was treated with “blatant cruelty” after refusing to be exposed to the radiation from the X-ray machine. “The truth is there’s simply nothing to excuse, justify, or even really explain why these guards decided to force Addario back through the machine twice, and then three times,” said Allison Hoffman at Tablet. “This, from a country that treats women’s fertility and prenatal health as a paramount public policy issue.” Joe Klein at TIME agreed: “This is completely outrageous, of course. It is another indication that Israel has been brutalized by its occupation of Arab territories since 1967. For those of us who feel strongly about the need for Israel to exist–especially those of us who love the place, warts and all–this incident is yet another reason to fear for Israel’s future,” he said.

Thanksgiving message
“I am not thankful for cruelty. Not thankful for the small pettiness embroidered in our characters. I am not grateful, Dear God, for the hunger and hurt that plague us,” said Rabbi David Wolpe in The Washington Post. He’s not the only one reflecting on the meaning of the holiday season. “It’s true that Judaism provides ample opportunities outside of this non-Jewish holiday to recognize our spiritual and familial selves. It has often been noted that the Jewish festival of Sukkot has several elements in common with the multifaith holiday of Thanksgivin,” said a St. Louis Jewish Light editorial. “But this particular holiday, this one time of the year, allows us to rejoice in commonality with others, to find the best of ourselves as Jews, as Americans, and as part of the greater human condition in a way that melds faith with those we hold most precious.” But not everyone was so quick to embrace Turkey Day. “I am so grateful to live in a Jewish country. I don’t have to be concerned about accusations of dual loyalty because I have none. My loyalty is singular,” said Rivkah Lambert Adler in the Jerusalem Post. You can take your mind off wondering if Twilight is actually a Jewish story...

Kobe trains at the JCC?
It was a big week for Jewish basketball fans - first, rumors that Amar’e Stoudemire is considering opening a Hebrew school. Then, we got word that Kobe Bryant, trying to get into shape for the upcoming NBA season, was seen training at the Southern California JCC. “I suppose Bryant wanted to sharpen his skills and get a head start,” said Ashley Baylen at Shalom Life. What’s next: LeBron James in Tefillin?

November 24, 2011 | 5:07 am

This week in power: Egypt, Kibbutz, Jewish vote, Billboard

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Egypt’s uprising
More fighting between police and protesters in Egypt has some people feeling uneasy. “Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel has always been hated by the masses. This is a country where loathing of Jews, and venomous resentment of the Jewish state, are common among all classes,” said Peter Hitchens in The Daily Mail. But there’s reason to remain hopeful, said a Jewish Week editorial. “Israel has good reason to worry in the short term while hoping that, down the road, Arab citizens will choose human rights over rigid ideologies.” Reuven Firestone in the Jewish Journal added: “Egyptians have tasted freedom, and they want it.” And some Israeli women are showing solidarity in unique ways...

Was Kibbutz Meirav seized?
According to an AP report citing an Israeli researcher this week, some West Bank land was seized by Kibbutz Meirav. But those reports turned out to be false, opponents said.  “Is it any wonder, with so many journalists more concerned about being the first to expose dirt than about doing their job, that the public is increasingly distrustful of what they read in the mainstream press?” asked a blogger at Camera. Who do you trust?

One year out
“These are very dangerous times, and I think the Jewish community will be looking to see how the Arab Spring is looking to be more like an Arab Winter,” said Matt Brooks in a Tablet interview. But how could this all play out for Republicans, who will need the Jewish vote to win? “Mitt Romney is an attractive candidate for Jewish Republicans for reasons that include his outspoken backing of Jerusalem, relatively moderate positions, past business success and his having served as governor of Massachusetts,” said Gary Rosenblatt in The Jewish Week. It’ll just take embracing Mormonism.

Identity theft of Holocaust survivors
A woman who worked for a Jewish community organization in Florida was arrested for selling a Holocaust survivors’ identity information for $1,000. Crystal Thorne had access her clients’ info, as they sought help from the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program. Thorne was apprehended trying to sell the info as part of a tax refund scam. “The recorded conversation indicated the (confidential informant) informed Thorne he would use the identities for tax return fraud and let Thorne know if they worked,” according to the affidavit.

Anti-semitic billboard?
A vodka company posted a billboard alongside New York’s West Side Highway that promised “Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing,” drawing criticism from Jewish groups and prompting the company to promise to remove the ad. The Wódka vodka ad featured the image of two dogs, one wearing a Santa hat, the other wearing a yarmulke. “Booze with a splash of anti-Semitism is what Wodka Vodka is serving up this holiday season,” joked Julia Rubin at Styleite. “Actually it got the company’s the cheap publicity it wanted,” said Don Surber in the Daily Mail. Other agreed that it was an expensive stunt.

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November 17, 2011 | 5:41 am

This week in power: Iran and Israel, Mic fallout, Nelson mystery, Baseball

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

The Israel question
On Saturday night during the latest Republican presidential debate, Gov. Rick Perry proclaimed, “Every country would start at zero” when it comes to foreign policy. And Mitt Romney agreed. But some Israel supporters worried what that meant for the small country. “The question of foreign aid is one that needs and deserves serious discussion, not self-aggrandizing political pandering, but don’t look for any of that in this or any election year,” said Douglas Bloomfield in The Jewish Week. What’s this mean for the campaign? Chemi Shalev at Haaretz was disappointed overall: “The debate on foreign policy was one of the most disjointed and unfocussed of all the debates held so far, interspersed as it was by those surrealistic interludes in which the fringe candidates with the least chances of winning…were more restrained and rational than the recognized leaders of the pack.”

Netanyahu mic fallout
What’s changed since Sarkozy and Obama were caught talking about Netanyahu last week on an open mic? Well, everyone has apparently made up. “It’s true that Netanyahu is an often ornery and disagreeable man—witness the condescending public lecture he gave Obama in the Oval Office earlier this year. But it’s also true that he has on occasion bent to Obama’s will,” said Jeffrey Goldberg at Bloomberg. But Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post wasn’t as forgiving. “It’s time for pro-Israel liberals to be honest: This president’s animus toward the Jewish state is so evident that only a foolish prime minister would trust him with the survival of the Jewish state. And Netanyahu is no fool. Surely Goldberg could concede both these points?”

Bill Nelson’s whodunit
An Islamic activist who has called Israel a “terrorist state” tried to make a $500 donation to Florida Sen. Bill Nelson at an Oct. 22 fundraiser, but it was rejected. Or so they say. There’s no ways to know who is telling the truth, but in a state with such a strong Jewish population, Nelson is treading carefully. “It’s a completely bogus political charge,” said a Nelson spokesman. “Bill Nelson through his entire life has been an unwavering supporter of Israel. This is a xenophobic political smear.” Florida remains an important state for the Democrats to keep happy heading into election season.

Cancer vaccine
sraeli researchers working on a cancer vaccine just started Phase III clinical trials at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, according to reports. It is being tested against a type of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. This is just the latest medical advance performed by Israelis, said Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs. “There are a 12 Million Jews in the world, and yet they have received 192 Nobel Prizes. The Muslims number 1.4 Billion ... or 117 times the number of Jews!” Is the next one on its way?

Pros join Israel baseball
Former MLB players Shawn Green, Brad Ausmus, and Gabe Kapler have joined the Israeli team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic which could help the sport grow overseas. “None of the three ruled out playing, but they say they would help in any way they could, which could include managing, coaching, recruiting, and fundraising. Kapler embarked on a managing career in the minors before resuming his playing career. The WBC tournament, which was won by Japan in 2006 and 2009, would allow American players, who are eligible for Israeli citizenship, to play even if they are not actual citizens,” said Les Levine in the Cleveland Jewish News. But there are even better players to be had, like Kevin Youkilis, said a blogger at Yahoo! Sports. “Just because they’re Jewish doesn’t mean they’ll automatically be up for playing on this theoretical WBC team.”

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November 10, 2011 | 5:35 am

This week in power: Obama, Hot mic, Larry Taylor, Occupy Judaism

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Obama’s Jewish problem
Despite being labeled as all-but-Jewish by at least one Jewish publication, President Obama should be worrying about the Jewish vote as he gears up for next year’s presidential election. He “faces the danger disillusioned progressives — including many Jews — may opt out of Election 2012,” warned The Jewish Week. Democrats are already doing whatever they can to convey a positive message inside the Jewish community, but Republicans are beginning to seize on opportunity available. “Call Herman Cain the crash-course pro-Israel candidate,” said JTA’s Ron Kampeas.

Sarkozy’s hot mic
During the G20, a hot mic caught world leaders Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy making fun of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, with Obama caught saying, “You’re sick of him—but I have to deal with him every day!” Big gaffe? “On one level, none of this is surprising. Obama’s irritation with the Jewish state and personal distaste for Netanyahu have been apparent nearly from the start of his presidency. This is just as we would imagine Obama would sound in private,” said Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post. But some people are worrying a bit more. Michael Bell in The Globe and Mail said: “Constrained as Mr. Netanyahu is by ideology and political imperative, Mr. Sarkozy and Mr. Obama don’t accept the Israeli Prime Minister’s promises of flexibility at the negotiating table.” And that finally came out publicly.

Larry Taylor’s flub
Texas State Rep. Larry Taylor made a faux pas last week at a legislative oversight hearing when he casually used the slur “Jew them down.” He quickly apologized. “It’s difficult to overlook his unfortunate verb choice, particularly in the context, of Texas politics where anti-Jewish sentiments are not exactly new,” said Stephanie Butnick at Tablet. Lisa Falkenberg said in the Houston Chronicle that she feels for Taylor, since she used publicly the same slur accidentally at one point, too. However, “As a society, we should strive for the wisdom, and the tolerance, to tell the difference.” Katie Friel in The Austinist has bigger questions: “Why is this happening? How is this is in the lexicon of our leaders? Do Texas politicians realize how embarrassing it is to the Texans that don’t make comments about Jewish folks and don’t name our ranches after horribly racist, derogatory names? ‘Cause it is.”

“Occupy Judaism”
“Two months into the protests, despite a fledgling, bottom-up Occupy Judaism movement taking hold within Occupy Wall Street and its offshoots around the country,” mainstream organizations have remained silent, reported The Jewish Week. Some commentators don’t approve of the movement either. “Sometimes the politics are worthy, but should not come at the expense of the integrity of the Jewish tradition. More often though, the politics are nefarious, even contrary to the dictates of Jewish law, and, in their disingenuous distortion, offensive to the tradition, said Jonathan Neumann at Commentary.

Rise of anti-Semitism
Blame the economy for the recent rise in anti-Semitism? That’s what a new ADL study insinuates. More Americans believe that Jews control too much of Wall Street, and the money. And recent reports have indicated that at Occupy protests around the country this anti-Semitic sentiment has been cropping up. How should we take this sad news? Margaret Hartmann at Jezebel had an idea: “Good luck fixing the economy guys, but we’re out. If you need us we’ll be wandering through the woods in a distant land, looking for shiny things we can trade for food.”

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November 3, 2011 | 6:38 am

This week in power: Drone attack, Republican vote, OWS uproar, Gadhafi penpal

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Drone attack
Israel killed members of the Islamic Jihad’s armed wing in southern Gaza last weekend prompting strong reaction. The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin was critical of The New York Times’ coverage of the attack. “This is emblematic of the bastardization of language that has gone on in recent years. Writers and editors cowed by the legion of anti-Israel voices, use kid gloves to describe murderers,” she said. But The Washington Post hasn’t been telling the whole story either, said one American Thinker blogger. The media’s coverage of these international events has room to improve.

Israel’s future
As Palestinian chairman Mahmoud Abbas declared that he will never recognize a “Jewish state,” America must tread carefully with how it proceeds as an advocate of Israel. “We believe that Israel’s substantial contributions to U.S. interests are an underappreciated aspect of this relationship and deserve equal billing to shared values and historical responsibility as rationales for American support of Israel,” said Robert D. Blackwill in the Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, Richard Goldstone continued to walk back from his controversial report.

GOP vote
“House Republicans are putting the economic interests of Arizona ahead of the defense of Israel,” said USA Today’s DeWayne Wickham who is worried about a uranium bill. “That kind of shortsightedness could erase any gains the GOP has made with Jewish voters just in time for the 2012 election.” But the ultra-Orthodox vote is in the bag, said Shmarya Rosenberg in Moment Magazine. “By voting for candidates who are conservative on social issues and hawkish on defense and Israel, Haredim believe they are doing God’s will, and this is how most will vote unless their leaders tell them otherwise.” Michelle Kraus at The Huffington Post said that the classic campaign tropes have returned again: “The Orthodox are being whipped into a fervor over Israel; while the younger and often more modern Jews are having their heartstrings plucked about human rights and the Settlements. Sadly in this mix, Obama just can’t catch a break of any kind.”

OWS backlash
The loudest opponent of Occupy Wall Street this week has been Marc Epstein, owner of Milk Street Cafe which lives on Wall Street. Epstein revealed that his business numbers are so far down in recent weeks that he was forced to lay off staff. With some people already worried about anti-Semitism in Zuccotti Park, others are fretting over the movement’s impact. “The dangerous attempt to assimilate the Jewish religious tradition and the radically leftist goals of many OWS protestors appears to be a goal of Occupy Judaism.  The group, which has emerged as a movement of those who are dissatisfied with Jewish institutions and synagogues, hopes to change Jewish religious practice from within,” said Fay Voshell at American Thinker. “The desire is to further radicalize Judaism, some branches of which are already allied with leftist ideals.” If Jewish history is an indication, this movement could prove valuable, though.

Gadhafi’s Jewish pen pal
A retired Jewish florist from Brooklyn named Louis Schlamowitz, 81, was a secret pen pal of the Libyan dictator for decades, according to reports. “He was a good pen pal,” Schlamowitz said. These letters have helped us learn new details about the fallen leader. But Schlamowitz decided to stop their correspondence in 1988 after Gadhafi was incriminated in the Lockerbie bombing. This past spring, though, he wrote Gaddafi again that “if you don’t take care of your people, your people will take care of you.” He got no reply.

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October 27, 2011 | 6:40 am

This week in power: Israel issue, Turkey quake, Tunisia election, OWS anti-Semitism

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Israel: Wedge issue?
The ADL-AJC’s initiative called the National Pledge for Unity on Israel encouraging people to put Israel ahead of politics as we ramp up to election season came under fire from conservative groups, forcing the ADL to walk back and explain the pledge is aimed at organizations and politicians. “I sense the pledge is a warning shot: At some point, it says, politicization of Israel could cross the appropriate line,” said Marc Tracy at Tablet. But some say that it conveys the wrong message. “We should welcome not only pledges of support for Israel from office seekers but accountability on the issue from those in power,” said Jonathan S. Tobin at Commentary. “The clear intent of the petition’s backers to shut down the latter means this doesn’t pass the political smell test.” These organizations just don’t like where the conversation is right now because it’s not politically in line with their interests, said Jeff Dunetz at Big Government. “Jewish Americans, indeed all Americans are not as stupid as these groups think, they will see through the ADL and AJC attempts at stifling debate and putting their partisan progressive politics in front of the safety of Israel.”

Aiding Turkey
After initially turning down Israel’s offer of assistance after an earthquake rocked Turkey last weekend, Turkey requested help with temporary housing structures from Israel. More relief will be sent in the coming days.While diplomatic ties between the two nations remain poor, Israeli officials said humanitarian aid comes first. “I’m not talking about a warming of relations. I’m talking about trying to identify where the common interests are,” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said. It could be short-lived though, with another flotilla set to depart, warned Roee Ruttenberg at 972Mag.com: “Whatever diplomatic progress it may achieve, if any, will be tested should another confrontation-at-sea occur.”

Tunisia’s Jewish candidate
Jacob Lellouche called in a win despite failing to win a parliament seat during Tunisia’s elections this week. He achieved his goal of showing that non-Muslims can run in the country’s first democratic elections. What’s this mean for Tunisia’s Jews? “There isn’t an atmosphere between Jews and Muslims in Tunis,” one resident told Britain’s Independent. “We are brothers and big friends. We celebrate each other’s festivals, we hug. We hope that this will not change.”

OWS and Jews
Debate is hot over whether anti-Semitism is rampant at Occupy Wall Street in downtown New York. These accusattions “produced alarm on the Internet, Jewish smoke signals alerting the ethnically twitchy to the presence of enemies and the demand that Obama, already suspected of harboring furious anti-Israel sentiments, do something,” said The Washington Post’s Richard Cohen. “But there is nothing to be done — except to condemn anyone who uses anti-Semitism to advance a political agenda.” But some believe its more than just hype, including Jeff Dunetz at Big Government. “It is not just a few nuts within the Occupy Wall Street Movement who are bashing Israel and Jews; it is the leadership and founders, yet our President and the rest of the Democratic Party are practically tripping over their underwear in a rush to embrace these haters,” he said. No matter, more Jews seem to be signing up for the movement.

Rich Jews
How did Jews get so influential in politics and elsewhere? Thanks to their money, a Ynet News article reported. “More than 100 of the 400 billionaires on Forbes’ list of the wealthiest people in America are Jews. Six of the 20 leading venture capital funds in the US belong to Jews, according to Forbes,” it stated, among other stats and details. But it may not last for long. Tablet’s Marc Tracy summarized the message this: “Stateside, dissatisfaction with Israeli politics—some of which, of course, is the result of the American right-wing-ification of Israeli politics—as well as higher rates of intermarriage, the receding memory of the Holocaust, a down economy, and other factors are likely to lead to less money.”

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October 20, 2011 | 6:26 am

This week in power: Shalit trade, Givat Hamatos, #OWS, Sarandon

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Shalit deal
With Gilad Shalit going home on Tuesday in exchange for 1,000-plus prisoners, debate was fierce about whether Israel should have made the deal. “The Jewish state’s repeated willingness to pay an exorbitant price for its citizens is a testament to its national and religious values, which stress the obligation to redeem captives,” said a Wall Street Journal editorial. But it could grow to regret the decision. “Sooner or later, Israel will learn the name of its next Gilad Shalit. Sooner or later, too, it will learn that the better course is to give its enemies reasons to think twice before taking hostages in the first place.” But it wasn’t without its defenders: “Bravo, as well, for Benjamin Netanyahu. He did what the people of Israel wanted. That is his job. He did not do the bidding of a raucous, vicious minority,” said Bradley Burston at Haaretz. “He took courage in a courageous people. That is why he is there. He did the right thing.”

Impact on Egypt
Israel’s relationship with Egypt remains uncertain and complicated in these post-Mubarak days. But with Egypt at the center of the Shalit deal, some wonder what has changed and what that could mean for the future. “Some people, in Egypt and in Israel, have made much of Cairo’s role, pointing to the post-revolution era in where the government overseen by a military council now has more trusted relations with Hamas,” reported the Financial Times. “As much as Egypt would like to take the credit for the prisoner exchange, however, officials in Cairo tell me the breakthrough came after Mahmoud Abbas.” But Shai Baitel at The Huffington Post sees benefits for Egypt. “While politically risky, considering Egypt’s continued desire to maintain good relations with the West, in particular with the United States, its longtime supporter, nothing seems impossibly anymore in a where Egypt is redefining itself and the Muslim Brotherhood is stronger than ever.” This deal could be a good sign of what’s to come.

Givat Hamatos
More Jews could be headed to east Jerusalem, “threatening to cut a link between Jerusalem and the West Bank and endanger already slim peace prospects,” after the plan cleared a definitive hurdle according to reports. The proposed Givat Hamatos development has not been met well by opponents. “Palestinian suffering continues without end. Palestinians suffer grievously under occupation, including in East Jerusalem. Israel wants it entirely Judaized as its capital even though legally it’s an international city under UN trusteeship,” said Stephen Lendman at OpEdNews. Ramzy Baroud at OnIslam agreed: “It is the height of injustice, not only from a Palestinian point of view, but also from standards set by international law.” And a Haaretz editorial asked Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop it. “Halt the Givat Hamatos plan and avoid taking steps that undermine the status of our Palestinian partner and Israel’s international status.”

Is #OWS good for the Jews?
While American protests that began in downtown New York are spreading to other cities, the spread of Judaism is happening simultaneously. The question then becomes whether this is a solution that we should get behind. “The Jewish solution is certainly not government imposed. It calls for activists to encourage “genuine willingness on the part of those who gain to ensure that the losers also benefit,” and to appeal to and inspire the spirit of charity as a personal obligation through effective and creative private sector programs,” said Dovid Efune at The Agemeiner. But Jane Eisner in The Jewish Daily Forward disagreed: “The still-inchoate pleas by protesters for a new kind of American economy are a direct affront not only to Republican policies, but to Democratic ones, too. Mix that with the audacious display of empowered Judaism, conducted without the authorization of Jewish officialdom, and you’ve just undermined the credibility of two powerful institutions with the speed of a Facebook post.”

Sarandon’s controversial comments
Susan Sarandon called the current Pope a Nazi over the weekend, raising the ire of both Jewish and Catholic groups. But Linda Shaw at Gather pointed out that “It’s a known fact that Pope Benedict XVI was a member of Hitler’s Youth when Nazi’s ruled Germany, so she was probably just referring to that and not to him being as bad as Hitler.” Jessica Wakeman at The Frisky said: “I’m a huuuge Susan Sarandon fan, but calling someone a “Nazi” is balls-out rude. It’ll be a fun week to be Susan Sarandon’s publicist, huh?” She could have been smarter about it, said Mark Rawden at Cinema Blend. “Even if the actress was trying to make a statement about her thoughts on the current Pope, there are definitely better words she could have chosen.”

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October 13, 2011 | 5:12 am

This week in power: Shalit, Netanyahu, Mosque burning, #OWS service

Posted by Danny Groner

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Gilad Shalit’s release
Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is coming home, according to reports on Tuesday. Israel and Hamas reportedly negotiated a deal that will release Shalit in exchange for at least 1,000 terrorists. Reception to the news was mixed. “Israel’s continuing willingness to enter into hostage deals inevitably creates an incentive for more hostage-taking in the future and generally undermines the credibility of its anti-terrorist deterrent by creating an image of Israeli ‘softness,’” said Max Boot at Commentary. Time’s Tony Karon broke down who wins from the deal, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who “will gain the kudos for having done a painful deal to bring home a young man whose captivity had been a source of enduring national anguish and pain.” It’s also a win for the Palestinians, though. Tod Robberson in the Dallas Morning News said: “The real lesson here is this: Whatever you’re working on, do it quietly. And for just a while, all sides should stop all the name-calling in public. Worse than being unproductive, it makes opposing sides harden their positions and makes a peace deal that much harder to achieve.”

What should Netanyahu do?
Nothing seemed to get agreed upon at the U.N. meetings, noted a Chicago Tribune editorial. And with Benjamin Netanyahu willing to deal, but Mahmoud Abbas not, “It’s time to test Abbas’ intentions. Netanyahu should authorize a construction freeze in the West Bank and disputed neighborhoods. Force Abbas to show his hand: Either he comes to the table and talks seriously … or his bluff is exposed.” But it may not be that simple, said A.B. Yehoshua in Haaretz. “Those who nibble at the territory of the Palestinians, as the State of Israel is doing now in the territories, are obliged to know that they are plundering and infringing the very essence of the inhabitants’ identity - and who better than we know, from Jewish history, how precious the national and religious identity was to the Jews and how much they were willing to sacrifice for its sake.” Ultimately, it’s up to the people to decide how to resolve this generations-long struggle, said Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson in the Durham News. “I don’t believe the situation is hopeless, but our faith in change ought not to rest with the politicians, it ought to rest with the people who have learned how to listen to each other, and work together.”

Israel’s mosque vandalism
Someone has been vandalizing Muslim cemeteries, mosques, and farmlands, according to reports. Israeli police arrested someone in one incident, but the violence and vandalism appears to be spreading in the country. Yet, when a synagogue gets hit with the same sort of mischief in retaliation, why doesn’t it get covered the same way? wondered Jonathan S. Tobin at Commentary. “The fact Arab violence against Jewish targets is not considered worthy of much indignation is of great concern. Part of the problem is the bigotry of low expectations. Since Israelis and Jews are considered to be too civilized to engage in primitive acts of violence and vandalism against Muslims, these acts are treated as atrocities to be deplored.” But what about holding everyone to the same standard?

Jewish Nobel Prize winners
Five Jewish laureates were awarded the Nobel Prize last week. Among them was Daniel Shechtman, 70, a professor at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, who won in chemistry for his discovery of quasicrystals. “I would like to congratulate you, on behalf of the citizens of Israel, for your award, which expresses the intellect of our people,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Shechtman. “Every Israeli is happy today and every Jew in the world is proud.” Here are the stats on Jews winning the prestigious award. But beware the downside of the awards - the inevitable backlash, said Gideon Levy in Haaretz. “The list of Jewish Nobel laureates throughout the generations is immediately put on display, as though saying that they won because they were Jewish. Every prize that is added to the collection immediately reinforces the idea that it’s a matter of clear genetic superiority. That is the other side of racism - on the one hand, trampling the other; on the other, we praise and exalt the ‘chosen people’ above everyone else. Two sides of the same coin: unconscionable racism.”

Yom Kippur occupying Wall Street
Kol Nidre services met downtown last Friday night, and hundreds of demonstrators took part in the special Occupy Wall Street group. All readings and songs were echoed around. Afterward, many of them joined their fellow protesters across the street at Zuccotti Park. See pictures from the event here. “Ultimately, this service worked better as a message, as an event, than as a service—both for technical and conceptual reasons. Technically, the noise from across the street compounded with the lack of bullhorns made it hard to hear,” said Joe Winkler at The Huffington Post. “Conceptually, and here my bias shines through, politics often, though not necessarily, dilutes individual spirituality. It stokes the flames of action but quenches the inner voice of the desperate soul.” Jeanette Friedman said in The Jewish Daily Forward: “It is precisely here that I can, with a clear conscience, ask for forgiveness for selfishness, apathy and pride.” Tablet’s Marc Tracy added: “I felt like I was part of a community, in the way that the concept of the minyan is supposed to encourage.”

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