U.S. to give Syrian rebels medical, food aid, not arms

Published on February 28, 2013

The United States said on Thursday it will for the first time give non-lethal aid to Syrian rebels and more than double its aid to Syria's civilian opposition, disappointing opponents of President Bashar Assad clamoring for Western weapons.

Protestant churches’ letter on Israel straining ties with Jews

Published on October 16, 2012

When 15 prominent American Protestant leaders sent a letter to Congress last week calling for an investigation and possible suspension of U.S. aid to Israel, at least one outcome was certain: The Jews wouldn’t like it.

Claims Conference steps up aid to Greek Holocaust survivors

Published on June 27, 2012

The Claims Conference is tripling its aid to Greece’s Holocaust survivors in light of the country's economic crisis and funding an education program on anti-Semitism due to the recent rise of a neo-Nazi party.

Aid groups urge Israel to lift Gaza blockade

Published on June 14, 2012

Fifty international aid groups and United Nations agencies issued a joint appeal on Thursday calling on Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas Islamists.

Reconsideration of state aid to Jewish schools is welcome

Published on April 19, 2012

For decades, the American Jewish community has debated the advisability, constitutionality and necessity of government aid to Jewish (and other faiths’) parochial schools. But with the United States still experiencing tough economic challenges, the American Jewish community finds its schools under greater financial stress than ever.

Clinton unfreezes Palestinian aid despite congressional objection

Published on April 17, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton overruled a hold by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) on Palestinian aid, allowing $147 million U.S. funds to flow to the West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinian Authority blames Gaza for deficit mess

Published on April 11, 2012

Paying for the upkeep of the Gaza Strip while its political rival actively blocks revenues flowing back is taking its toll on the deficit-racked Palestinian Authority.

Congressmen threaten PA aid over Helen Thomas award

Published on April 10, 2012

In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, two congressmen said a medal awarded to veteran journalist Helen Thomas could hurt U.S. assistance to the PA.

UCLA homeless aid group headed to White House

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on March 8, 2012

A UCLA student group that supports the homeless is headed to the White House, one of five initiatives to win the White House’s Campus Champions of Change Challenge. The White House selected 15 finalists from hundreds of applicants, and online voters chose the top five.

Egypt: U.S. aid cut may force Israel treaty review

Published on February 16, 2012

The Muslim Brotherhood has warned that Egypt may review its 1979 peace deal with Israel if the United States cuts aid to the country, a move that could undermine a cornerstone of Washington's Middle East policy.

Israel to send quake aid to Turkey [UPDATE]

Published on October 25, 2011

Israel said on Tuesday it was launching an airlift of supplies to help Turkey cope with a devastating earthquake, following a request from Ankara, with a first shipment of prefabricated homes destined for shipment on Wednesday.

Turkey quake kills at least 279, hundreds missing [UPDATE]

Published on October 24, 2011

Rescuers clawed through rubble on Monday to free people trapped by a powerful earthquake that killed at least 264 people and wounded more than 1,000 in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey.

Turkey rejects earthquake aid offers, including Israel’s

Published on October 24, 2011

Turkey has rejected all international aid, including an Israeli offer, in the wake of a strong earthquake that collapsed buildings and left hundreds dead.

Opinion: Putting a price tag on Israel aid

Published on October 20, 2011

In my last piece, I highlighted a Washington Post column in which Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Walter Pincus urged that the $3 billion aid package to Israel be re-examined.

GOP candidates push back on cutting aid to Israel

Published on October 19, 2011

Republican presidential candidates Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain pushed back against a proposal by Ron Paul to cut funding to Israel.

Romney would up defense aid to Israel

Published on October 7, 2011

Mitt Romney said he would increase defense assistance to Israel, raise the U.S. military profile near Iran and recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

U.S. scrambles to keep Palestinian aid flowing

Published on October 3, 2011

The Obama administration is lobbying Congress to unblock $200 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority that was frozen due to its bid for U.N. recognition of statehood over U.S. and Israeli objections.

House committee chair places hold on Palestinian aid

Published on October 3, 2011

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is holding back nearly $200 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

78 Million Reasons to Love the People of Japan

By Ilana Angel
Published on August 19, 2011

House warns P.A. on statehood moves

Published on July 8, 2011

The U.S. House of Representatives threatened to cut off funding to the Palestinian Authority if it pursues recognition of statehood outside negotiations with Israel.

Report: U.S. to offer Turkey major role in Mideast talks if it stops Gaza flotilla

Published on June 3, 2011

The U.S. government is considering to offer Turkey a deal in which Ankara would stop a second Gaza flotilla that is due to depart later this month in exchange for the opportunity to host an Israeli-Palestinian peace summit in Ankara, the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman reported Friday.

‘Navy prepared to board flotilla ships if they don’t stop’

Published on May 31, 2011

The Israel Navy is prepared to intercept and take control of the ships participating in the new flotilla to the Gaza Strip, a senior Navy officer said Tuesday on the anniversary of the IDF operation to stop the Mavi Marmara that ended in the death of nine Turkish nationals.

Israeli military aid delegation to Japan returns home

Published on April 12, 2011

The Israel Defense Forces' aid delegation to Japan returned home, leaving medical equipment behind for local doctors to use. The delegation, which brought 62 tons of medical supplies and 18 tons of humanitarian aid to the city of Minami-Sanriko, hard hit by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March, landed in Israel on Tuesday.

Netanyahu to UN Chief: Upcoming Gaza flotilla must be stopped

Published on April 1, 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday to stop the impending flotilla that is supposed to set sail to the Gaza Strip in May.

Israel sends medical delegation to Japan

Published on March 21, 2011

Israel has sent a medical delegation to Japan to help victims of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami. Two doctors and an Israel Defense Forces Homefront Command officer arrived Monday in Japan to determine what is required to send a full-scale medical delegation and the necessary equipment to the devastated area, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

GOP House freshmen sign on to Israel aid letter

Published on February 16, 2011

The majority of Republican freshmen in the U.S. House of Representatives have signed on to a letter committing to current levels of defense assistance to Israel. Among the 87 freshmen, 65 have signed the letter initiated by Reps. Robert Dold (R-Ill.) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.) to the party's House leadership.

Egypt ‘working group’ says cut off aid

Published on February 3, 2011

A "working group on Egypt" that includes prominent conservatives and liberals urged the Obama administration to cut assistance to Egypt if violence continues. "Until unrestrained thug violence began on February 1, the Working Group was hopeful that the Egyptian military would play a positive role in safeguarding a peaceful transition," said the statement Thursday, which was first reported by Politico. "If the government continues to employ such violence, the United States should immediately freeze all military assistance to Egypt."

Israeli soldiers allegedly looted flotilla ships

Published on August 19, 2010

An Israeli officer and soldier are suspected of selling goods they confiscated from the Gaza flotilla after the May raid.

A lesson in listening

Published on October 10, 2008

I was partnered with a woman who, before she even really met me, thanked me for just showing up as a volunteer. She was homeless in San Francisco and felt that she had nowhere to turn before she found Project Homeless Connect. As I walked her to the housing information stand, she displayed thorough delight that somebody was beside her to hear all that she had to say. It seemed as if very few people, or none, had bothered to listen to her full story.

Briefs: Peace process proceeeds, says Livni; Bush waives Palestinian aid rules

Published on October 10, 2008

Tzipi Livni said the peace process will move forward and that Israel will be able to face challenges better with a stable government.

UJC seeks donations for hurricane victims

Published on September 16, 2008

United Jewish Communities has set up donation drive for hurricane victims

Emergency aid mission to Georgia: Find every Jew

Published on August 19, 2008

As Russia occupied Georgia, pushing ever closer to the capital Tbilisi and bisecting the country, the relief effort for nearly two weeks has had only one prime directive: Find every Jew.

Briefs: Methodists don’t ‘divest,’ Jewish groups mobilize for Myanmar, Reno TV anchor sues

Published on May 8, 2008

Briefs

Bearing witness a world away from L.A.

Published on November 1, 2007

Email excerpts from Janice Kamenir-Reznik and Tzivia Schwartz-Getzug of Jewish World Watch as they travel to Chad to assess the success of a program to provide refugees from Darfur with solar cookers.

Crises in Israel energize support from diaspora communities

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on July 5, 2007

Jews invariably differ on their feelings toward Israel, whether discussing its place in their hearts or the policies of the current government or the rightful borders of the nation. But nothing unifies quite like military conflict. War awakens Diaspora communities and arouses Israeli affinities.

Poverty in Israel: The divide deepens between the haves and have-nots

By Dina Kraft
Published on March 8, 2007

Once idealized as a socialist paradise, Israel is increasingly becoming a country of two classes -- those who have soared in the increasingly capitalist economy and those who have stumbled in its wake.

Israel labor strike called off; U.S. Jews against Iraq war most strongly

Published on March 1, 2007

Students translate charity lessons into action

By Lisa Armony
Published on January 25, 2007

Realizing tikkun olam as a central pillar of Jewish practice, synagogues throughout the country require children to perform service projects before becoming b'nai mitzvah, sensitizing them to their growing responsibilities toward others as they approach adulthood. In many cases, these projects have been the inspiration for ongoing philanthropic endeavors.

Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson expected to set new charity donation record

By Tom Tugend
Published on December 14, 2006

Sheldon Adelson, frequently dubbed "the world's richest Jew," is about to claim the title of biggest Jewish philanthropist.

Russian Singer Goes From Defector to Cantor

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on September 7, 2006

Ever since she was a little girl, Portnyansky dreamed of coming to the United States. "My parents used to get a magazine called Amerika. It had photos and articles about the U.S. In my mind I was already there, from the first grade." The opportunity came in 1991, during the last throes of the Soviet Union: She received an invitation from the U.S government to do a concert tour.

Lawsuit Filed in Granada Hills Jewish Community Center Shooting

Published on August 24, 2006

World News; Lawsuit Filed in Granada Hills Jewish Community Center Shooting; Young Quits After 'Hurtful' Remarks; Olmert Pressed on War Inquiry; Diaspora Money Heads North; Israeli Officials Face Sexual-Harassment Charges; Israeli Children Anxious After War; Major Israeli Writer Dies; Israel: Hezbollah Used Russian Weapons; Jewish-Owned Market in Moscow Bombed; Restaurant in India Named After Hitler; Annan Chides Iran on Holocaust Cartoons.

Local organizations seek funds to help Israel

Published on August 17, 2006

Some of the local organizations collecting donations to aid Israel in its time of crisis.

Israel: This year, Last Year

By Jack Weiss
Published on August 10, 2006

Just one year ago, we had proudly taken our first family vacation in Israel. The places where my kids had the most fun -- Haifa, Nahariya, Rosh Hanikra, Safed, Kiryat Shemona -- were bearing the brunt of the Katyusha attacks.

A Mother’s Letter: Israeli Volunteers Aid in War Effort

By Donna Zeff
Published on August 10, 2006

With our children as our inspiration and the news of Katyusha attacks getting worse, despite the heroic efforts of the Israel Defense Forces, my husband, Rabbi Joel Zeff, and I decided we needed to do whatever we could to help, even if just a little.

Groups Rally to Raise Funds for Israel During Crisis

By Tom Tugend
Published on July 27, 2006

Jewish organizations throughout the Los Angeles area, as well as supportive Christian groups, are shifting their fundraising efforts into high gear to succor civilians and soldiers in embattled Israel.

Young Lawyer Has a Ball With Bet Tzedek

By Marc Ballon
Published on June 22, 2006

Founded in 1997, the Justice Ball has grown into one of the nation's most successful nonprofit fundraisers/parties targeting young professionals, Jews and non-Jews alike. Over the past nine years, more than 16,000 attorneys, financiers and others have attended the soirees, and scores of them have gone on to become Bet Tzedek contributors and volunteers.

School Risked Fiscal Peril for Its Students

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on June 8, 2006

Etz Jacob prides itself on accepting children who would not otherwise get a Jewish education. Rabbi Rubin Huttler of Congregation Etz Jacob founded the school in 1989 as a haven for new immigrants flooding into Los Angeles from Russia and Iran.

Beth Emet Works to Save a Mother’s Life

By Jane Ulman
Published on June 8, 2006

The 200 closely knit families of Burbank's Temple Beth Emet, heeding the precept that all Jews are responsible for one another, are accustomed to providing aid and comfort quietly and inconspicuously. But the congregation has been galvanized to very public action by news that the mother of fellow congregant Roni Razankova's mother, a citizen of Macedonia, has contracted liver cancer and needs urgent medical attention in the United States.

Nation World Briefs

Published on June 1, 2006

Briefs

Jewish Groups Take Pro-Immigrant Stand

By Robert David Jaffee
Published on April 6, 2006

You didn't see many Jews amid the sea of Mexican and American flags during the recent pro-immigrant rallies that filled city streets, but Jews and Jewish groups, in largely liberal Los Angeles, have been advocating on behalf of immigrants, mostly outside the view of television cameras.

Situation Improves for Argentine Jews

By Marc B. Haefele
Published on March 30, 2006

The idea that Jews in Argentina are passing through on their way from Russia (or other place of origin) to Israel -- a voyage that might last several generations -- was hardwired into the Jewish educational system. Many have made aliyah out of necessity, especially during the Dirty War and subsequent economic downturns.

Post-Katrina, Jews Raised Funds Fast

By Larry Luxner
Published on January 26, 2006

Major Jewish organizations have raised more than $30 million to house, feed, educate and relocate thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Poor, Darfur Lose in Budget, Israel Gains

By James D. Besser
Published on January 5, 2006

Jewish groups, led by the United Jewish Communities (UJC), were particularly concerned about changes in Medicaid rules intended to slow the growth in the entitlement program.

Jennifer Chadorchi: The Hunger to Help

By Karmel Melamed
Published on January 5, 2006

For the last eight years, Chadorchi, a Beverly Hills resident in her 20s, has become a rare jewel in the Persian Jewish community, quietly mobilizing a small army of friends, family members and local students to respond to the plight of the homeless in Los Angeles.

A Local Witness to Darfur Tragedy

By Marc Ballon
Published on November 3, 2005

The president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles recently visited refugee camps in the African country of Chad to bear witness to the pain and suffering of more than 250,000 victims of genocide from neighboring Sudan.

The Circuit

Published on October 13, 2005

The Circuit

Nation & World Briefs

Published on September 1, 2005

The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh (UJF) has established a mailbox to accept donations for humanitarian aid for members of the Jewish and general communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Western Florida.

Briefs

Published on May 12, 2005

President Bush is expected to sign legislation that gives $200 million in aid to support the Palestinians.

Come Fill Fatima’s Cup With Hope

By Rabbi Lee Bycel
Published on April 21, 2005

Ten days ago, I was in the Al Serif Camp in Darfur, Sudan, with Fatima, the girl you see in the photograph. She lives there with 15,000 other refugees.

PowerPoint Purim

By Kelly Hartog
Published on March 17, 2005

Given that fulfilling the mitzvah of Purim requires that we hear the reading of Megillat Esther, the Orthodox Union (OU) has come up with a unique way for the deaf and hard of hearing to participate in the mitzvah.