A gridlock bypass in Congress?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on February 27, 2013

A remarkable thing happened in Washington, D.C., last week. National leaders of business and labor hammered out an outline on immigration reform. This might not only give a major boost to a new immigration policy; it might also show a path around the gridlock that has driven the nation into budgetary face-offs month after month.

Letters to the Editor: Neo-Nazis, Halachah, unemployment and anti-Semitism

Published on January 18, 2012

Rob Eshman is correct to decry the world’s double standard when criticizing the ultra-barbaric state of Syria (“Stop the Stalinists,” Jan. 13).

Still unemployed: Out of luck but not out of hope

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on November 22, 2011

In July 2009, when everyone could see that the financial collapse of September 2008 was not going to be short-lived, I tracked down and interviewed for The Journal several people who had been hit hard by the recession. I also wrote about what Jewish organizations locally were doing to help and was heartened to find that the community had stepped up its efforts to reach out to those unable to find a job...

Without jobs in U.S., college grads are finding opportunities in Israel

Published on October 17, 2011

In her final months as a political science major at the University of Pittsburgh, Susanna Zlotnikov had a positive outlook about landing a job.

A Democrat’s lament, and a glimmer of hope

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on December 7, 2010

There is a sick feeling of demoralization settling over Democrats, like drizzle on a cloudy day. It’s not because of losses in the midterm elections; it’s the unnerving realization that we are on our own.

Mergers and consolidations for congregations—it’s the economy, stupid [VIDEO]

By The Web Guy
Published on December 28, 2008

Despite diplomas, Ethiopian Israelis can’t find jobs

By Dina Kraft
Published on December 26, 2008

Of the approximately 4,500 Ethiopian Israelis who have earned university degrees, fewer than 15 percent have found work in their professions, according to a recent study. Instead, most end up working temporary public-sector jobs serving the Ethiopian Israeli community, remaining disconnected from the larger professional Israeli workforce.

Don’t let the stress of ailing economy kill you

Published on November 26, 2008

Research based on 17 years of Pennsylvania unemployment records concluded that workers affected by mass layoffs at a plant were 15 percent more likely to die of any cause over the next two decades.

Postville Jewish community struggles to survive after raid

By Ben Harris
Published on November 24, 2008

After former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin was arrested earlier this month, Rashi Raices joined several dozen members of this town's Jewish community in volunteering the equity on their homes to guarantee his return to face trial.

Economic crisis boosts need to focus on domestic violence

Published on November 19, 2008

I've never been more concerned about the victims of domestic violence than I am right now. Families already buckling under the weight of domestic violence in the best of times can collapse in times of economic downturn and war.

Perfect storm for charities— contributions go down and requests go up

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on November 19, 2008

No one has gone unscathed by the convulsions of the global economy. Even the wealthy are losing money -- and if they cut their charitable giving, it is likely to ripple across the Jewish nonprofit sector

Communities can use High Holy Days to help ease economic angst

Published on September 25, 2008

Too many will sit in synagogues through this season and be equally concerned with their own economic situation as they will the state of their soul.

Israel confronts shared future with Bedouin citizens

By Carin M. Smilk
Published on June 28, 2007

A nomadic people, "Bedouin" is the general name for Arabic-speaking tribes in the Middle East and North Africa that originate from the Arabian Peninsula, the Jazirat al-Arab. Before 1948, Bedouin were for generations the only residents of the Negev, a land mass that makes up some 60 percent of present-day Israel but comprises less than 10 percent of the total population.

Is It Good for Them?

By Rob Eshman
Published on April 28, 2005

Earlier this week, an official in the ruling Palestinian leadership sat down for dinner at the Beverly Hills estate of a wealthy Jewish businessman and listened to a plan to save Palestine.

Why Synagogues Are Going Broke

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on June 8, 2000

Unemployment hit a 30-year low in April and the economy is, if not booming, at least bouncing. So why is it that so many synagogues, even in wealthy areas, are struggling? Perhaps it is because members fail to understand that dues only go so far, according to Sylvia Moskovitz, executive director at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills.

The Honeymoon is Over

By Eric Silver
Published on February 24, 2000

Nine months after Ehud Barak took office as "everybody's prime minister," the honeymoon is over -- with his voters, coalition allies and Arab partners in the quest for peace. It is too early to write him off, but the Labor leader can no longer rely on loyalty or goodwill to see him through.

Rich Israeli, Poor Israeli

By Larry Derfner
Published on December 16, 1999

For all the recent hubbub over the worsening lot of Israel's poor, and the growing criticism of Prime Minister Ehud Barak's born-again Reaganite economic policies, it should be understood that in many key misery indices, Israel isn't doing too badly.

Poverty and Unemployment Plague Israel

By Larry Derfner
Published on December 2, 1999

The peace process isn't the news in Israel anymore; it's poverty, unemployment and hunger. The domestic agenda, the one that Prime Minister Ehud Barak focused his election campaign on, has jumped up and bitten him.

Crypto - Jews Unmasked

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on August 5, 1999

This past October I found myself, along with four other North American Jewish journalists, flying business class -- a wonderful way to fly -- to Croatia on Lufthansa Airlines.