Passion Play to be Performed at the Footsteps of the Temple Mount

Posted by Jewish Israel

Jewish Israel has learned that a Passion Play produced by JBS Theatricals, a production company under the auspices of Stivale Ministries, is scheduled to be performed at the Kotel’s Davidson Center in the spring of 2012.

Titled "The Kingdom", and billed as "the Passion in the Heart of Jerusalem", this production puts the nature and dignity of Jewish Jerusalem to shame. Jewish Israel has interviewed one of the producers and posted the promotional video clip as it appeared at the time of the interview.

We can only hope that some things are still sacred to us, the Jewish people, and that Israel’s Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Rabbi of the Kotel will uphold the integrity of the Jewish people and the holiness of Jerusalem on this matter.

Jewish Israel will keep our readership posted on this developing story.

This report is being translated to Hebrew and will be sent to the Israeli public bodies mentioned above, as well as to leading rabbis in Israel...more

Buying Peace With Land, Is Like Buying The Brooklyn Bridge and Other Scams

There's nobody like Dry Bones...

The Appease aka Peace sic Now and groupies keep insisting that if we give the Arabs enough of our HolyLand, we'll have peace.

If you believe that the Appease crowd is right, I can sell you a bridge, or you can pay my ransom in darkest Africa...

Americans Jews Have To Choose Between Pro-Jesus, Islam and Mormons

It's true that Sabbath observing Joe Lieberman was the Democratic candidate for Vice President, but the chance of a Jew being nominated for the United States Presidency is rather weak.  And just because someone is Jewish, doesn't mean that he'd be "good for Israel."

One of the reasons I had no problem accepting the concept of Zionism meaning that Jews should live in the Land of Israel, is because I recognized that the United States is a Christian country.  Official holidays and school vacations have always followed Christian holidays, Xmas and Easter.  Until very recent decades, no matter where you'd be in America, even a neighborhood that had less than 30% Christians, streets and schools would be decorated with religiously based Xmas decorations.  I went to public schools which were mostly Jewish and we had to fight for the right to show a menorah or dreidel next to the Xmas scene.

Unlike the post-World War Two America and the hippie sixties when following religion lost favor, nowadays finding G-d has "left the closet."  Presidential candidates don't hide their religiosity; it's not private.

Obama found himself between a rock and a hard place in terms of religion.  For some of his childhood at least he was Muslim, and he seems very comfortable with Muslims.  So to show that he isn't one, he and his wife stressed their close ties to a church, and that church ended up with a very controversial anti-Jewish preacher.  But, American Jews have a weakness when it comes to Blacks and they still support him financially.

It's still not 100% certain who will be running against Obama.  It just seems like whoever it is will be deeply religious.  Rick Santorum is considered the Jesus candidate.  And Mitt Romney is a Mormon.  I see that as very 21st Century America.  And I live in Israel and don't really care, because a candidate's private religion is his/her concern.

The United States is a country in financial difficulties.  It's no longer the world power it once was.  It does not use its potential for world peace.  It just wants to be ... Canada with warmer weather. 

Americans should vote for the candidate who will make America better and keep the world safer.  That would be good for Israel, too.  Supporting the Arabs who  practice terrorism and want to destroy Israel is bad for America and it's bad for the world.

Ruthie Blum, On Target!

There are many anglos here in Israel who miss Ruthie Blum's writing.  She gave us a few years of it in the Jerusalem Post and then sort of disappeared from the scene.  Ruthie has returned and now writes a couple of op-eds each week in Israel HaYom.  Her latest one is addressed more to Americans who don't want Barack Hussein Obama to be reelected President of the United States.

Ruthie is on target when she reminds the Republicans that they have to focus their attacks on Obama and not on each other!

Ruthie's basic point, focus your energies properly, is relevant to all of us and especially to the State of Israel.  Who and what are our enemies?  And another point that is important for us to remember, which the United States doesn't have to worry about is that Israel's enemies aim to destroy us.

Simply put is that:

Just like when nobody cared that Jews were being exterminated/slaughtered/murdered by the Nazis only a couple of generations ago, nobody today cares that the Pseudostinians aka Palestinians sic aim to replace/destroy us.  Terrorism is a tool, a double-edged sword. It kills and it lowers morale.

 

Many of these points are brought up in this interview I did recently. 

Shiloh, Connected to the Past, Looking to the Future

When I decided early in 1981 that we should move our growing brood from Jerusalem to Shiloh, I had no idea how much living in such a holy and historic place would affect me.  I credit many of the changes inside of me to the location where I live.  Shiloh was the first capital of the Jewish Nation.  This "temporary" position lasted 369 years, not something that historians of all stripes can or should ignore.  To give it some modern perspective, it's longer than the time between the discovery of the American Continents and the establishment of the United States.  It's much longer than the existence of the USA, also, and longer than the existence of most countries.

After the Cohanim, Priests, ruled from Shiloh assisted by various Judges, Samuel the Prophet transitioned the Jewish People into a Kingdom, first under King Saul and then anointed King David.  King David established the Capital in Jerusalem where his son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple to G-d.  That's a very abridged version of the very complex Jewish History.

For the past few years I've been inviting women to join me to celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of each Jewish Month by praying together at Tel Shiloh, where Biblical Chana prayed for a son.  Each month I discover something new.

Shiloh was the place of pilgrimage, and as I stood admiring the late winter wild flowers and the beautiful view, I suddenly saw the ground differently.  I realized that I was standing on what was probably once a pilgrim's hostel.  I could see the walls underneath the greenery.

The Ancient Shiloh walls, weren't just outer walls.  In those days, the walls were complex buildings, with rooms, apartments, storage rooms and more.  A place like Shiloh would have dormitories for the student priests, apartments for the permanent residents and "hotel" rooms for the visitors who had come for Holidays and prayers.

Today hundreds of Jewish families live in Shiloh and the surrounding hillside in all directions.  We have schools, stores and some light industry.  And yes, there's building going on, because it's considered a desirable, pleasant and convenient place to live.

Next month's women's Rosh Chodesh Nissan Prayers will be:

The Rosh Chodesh Nissan Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Friday, March 23, 2012 8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Tour & Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש ניסן בתל שילה

יום ו' 23-3 8:30

יהיו סיור ודבר תורה קצרים

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

You're welcome to join our facebook page. Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office. Email telshilo@gmail.com or phone 02-994-4019.
PS I was recently interviewed.  If you'd like to watch/listen, here it is:

The Rainbow is a Warning, a Reminder, Not a Comfort

Too many people consider the rainbow a good "sign" and think that it's a promise from G-d never to destroy the world, that there would never again be a flood that buries and drowns all.  It's not so simple.

Genesis Chapter 7 בְּרֵאשִׁית
יז וַיְהִי הַמַּבּוּל אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם, עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיִּרְבּוּ הַמַּיִם, וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֶת-הַתֵּבָה, וַתָּרָם, מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ. 17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. יח וַיִּגְבְּרוּ הַמַּיִם וַיִּרְבּוּ מְאֹד, עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַתֵּלֶךְ הַתֵּבָה, עַל-פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. 18 And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. יט וְהַמַּיִם, גָּבְרוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד--עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְכֻסּוּ, כָּל-הֶהָרִים הַגְּבֹהִים, אֲשֶׁר-תַּחַת, כָּל-הַשָּׁמָיִם. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered. כ חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה מִלְמַעְלָה, גָּבְרוּ הַמָּיִם; וַיְכֻסּוּ, הֶהָרִים. 20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. כא וַיִּגְוַע כָּל-בָּשָׂר הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ, בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה, וּבְכָל-הַשֶּׁרֶץ, הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל-הָאָרֶץ--וְכֹל, הָאָדָם. 21 And all flesh perished that moved upon the earth, both fowl, and cattle, and beast, and every swarming thing that swarmeth upon the earth, and every man; כב כֹּל אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁמַת-רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו, מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בֶּחָרָבָה--מֵתוּ. 22 all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, whatsoever was in the dry land, died. כג וַיִּמַח אֶת-כָּל-הַיְקוּם אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, מֵאָדָם עַד-בְּהֵמָה עַד-רֶמֶשׂ וְעַד-עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַיִּמָּחוּ, מִן-הָאָרֶץ; וַיִּשָּׁאֶר אַךְ-נֹחַ וַאֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ, בַּתֵּבָה. 23 And He blotted out every living substance which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping thing, and fowl of the heaven; and they were blotted out from the earth; and Noah only was left, and they that were with him in the ark. כד וַיִּגְבְּרוּ הַמַּיִם, עַל-הָאָרֶץ, חֲמִשִּׁים וּמְאַת, יוֹם. 24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.

In Biblical times, G-d saved Noah and his family and a select group of animals and plants.  G-d has that power, and even though He then promised not to destroy us again, we're supposed to remember the lesson.

Genesis Chapter 9 בְּרֵאשִׁית
יא וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי אִתְּכֶם, וְלֹא-יִכָּרֵת כָּל-בָּשָׂר עוֹד מִמֵּי הַמַּבּוּל; וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה עוֹד מַבּוּל, לְשַׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ. 11 And I will establish My covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.' יב וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, זֹאת אוֹת-הַבְּרִית אֲשֶׁר-אֲנִי נֹתֵן בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, וּבֵין כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, אֲשֶׁר אִתְּכֶם--לְדֹרֹת, עוֹלָם. 12 And God said: 'This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: יג אֶת-קַשְׁתִּי, נָתַתִּי בֶּעָנָן; וְהָיְתָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית, בֵּינִי וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ. 13 I have set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. יד וְהָיָה, בְּעַנְנִי עָנָן עַל-הָאָרֶץ, וְנִרְאֲתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת, בֶּעָנָן. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the cloud, טו וְזָכַרְתִּי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אֲשֶׁר בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם, וּבֵין כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, בְּכָל-בָּשָׂר; וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה עוֹד הַמַּיִם לְמַבּוּל, לְשַׁחֵת כָּל-בָּשָׂר. 15 that I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. טז וְהָיְתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת, בֶּעָנָן; וּרְאִיתִיהָ, לִזְכֹּר בְּרִית עוֹלָם, בֵּין אֱלֹהִים, וּבֵין כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה בְּכָל-בָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר עַל-הָאָרֶץ. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.' יז וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, אֶל-נֹחַ: זֹאת אוֹת-הַבְּרִית, אֲשֶׁר הֲקִמֹתִי, בֵּינִי, וּבֵין כָּל-בָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר עַל-הָאָרֶץ. {פ} 17 And God said unto Noah: 'This is the token of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth.' {P}

Now, why am I writing about Noah, when it's not the Torah Portion for this time of the year?  One reason is that on Rosh Chodesh Adar, when I was walking to Tel Shiloh I photographed this rainbow, and I knew that there must be a reason why G-d put davka that "sign" on display for us.  Here's the headline I saw that answered my question:

J'lem construction frozen ahead of PM's US visit

Netanyahu said to be trying to avoid any move that might anger US in light of previous embarrassing incidents during Biden's visit to Israel...

It's obvious that we're governed by politicians, people who haven't a clue or are definitely ignoring G-d's power and G-d's authority.  Instead they are groveling to American and other foreign politicians who don't care about the dangers their proposing for the State of Israel.

This rainbow, on Rosh Chodesh Adar, was a reminder that we should be following G-d and not United States President Barack Hussein Obama.

Why Is The USA Afraid of MK Michael Ben-Arie?

Uchud Le'umi, National Union Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari has been rejected by the United States when requesting a visa.  For some peculiar, totally inaccurate reason, they consider the Kach movement to have been a "terrorist organization."  And since MK Ben-Ari had been a member, he's black-listed by the United States.

To make things clear. I was never a Kahane supporter nor member of Kach or any other of his organizations.  But I know that it never was a terrorist organization. MK Michael Ben-Ari is certainly no terrorist.

On Thursday, Ben-Ari said, “The U.S. government, which welcomes with open arms Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who calls for the destruction of Israel; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who planned the murder of children in Maalot; and MK Ahmed Tibi, who enthusiastically encourages shahids (Islamic martyrs), chose to prevent me from meeting with Jewish communities in the U.S. to encourage emigration to Israel, claiming that I am a terrorist. We can now understand how the American blindness, which renders them incapable of recognizing a true terrorist who threatens the world, was the cause of the horrific attacks of Sept. 11.”

The United States is discriminating against a religious, pro-Land of Israel, Right wing politician.  The United States is probably afraid that he'll just tell the truth about what is going on here.

Latma Gets A Laugh Out of Shaul Mofaz for Prime Minister and Iran's environmentally friendly atomic bomb plus

There's nothing like Latma to give us the Right news...




Yes, it's in Hebrew, but there are English subtitles.  Give it a try.

"Journey to Heaven," Is it The Next World?

It has taken me a long time to read Leila Leah Bronner's Journey to Heaven, but that's my fault, not hers.  Most of my weekday reading is either on the computer or for my Bible studies.

I was very anxious to get started on Bonner's book, because I'm very curious about The Next World,  our "life" after death.  It's not my specialty.  From my limited knowledge I've been under the impression that the next world is when we pay the real price for our sins and get proper rewards for our good.  I was looking for some confirmation.

Journey to Heaven isn't that sort of book.  Bronner's book is more academic than spiritual or emotional.  She brings all sorts of texts, not all are Jewish, to explain what happens after death according to Judaism.  I suggest watching these two youtube videos to hear what Bronner has to say.  She really is fascinating:





Bronner's book is very well researched.  The first part was less interesting for me, much too much like Biblical criticism and less Jewish.  I must admit that certain references, which contradicted traditional Jewish teaching almost had me put down the book and stop reading it. Bronner wrote about non-Jewish texts and sources, even offering the idea that Biblical books like Daniel were written well after Biblical times.  I understand that this is perfectly acceptable in the academic world, but it's not the type of studies I am interested in.

The second part of the book was much more Jewish, all about the Jewish Bible, prayers, books and personalities.  An important focus in the book is resurrection and its Jewish sources and definition, from the Bible, Kabbala and to recent rabbis.

I do consider "Journey to Heaven" to be a valuable book, and I'll have to read it a few more times to fully understand it.  The contents are very new to me.  That's my "fault" not Bronner's.  If you want to learn more about the Jewish concept of the "after life," that isn't preachy, then this is a good book for you.  It isn't an emotional book; it's academic.

Journey to Heaven, Urim Publications, by Leila Leah Bronner is a scholarly book because:

Leila Leah Bronner is a noted scholar who formerly served as Professor of Bible and Jewish History at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has also been a visiting scholar at Harvard University, Bar Ilan University in Israel, and Yeshiva University’s Institute of Adult Studies in New York. She is the author of numerous books, including Eve to Esther: Rabbinic Reconstructions of Biblical Women, Stories of Elijah and Elisha, Sects and Separatism During the Second Jewish Commonwealth, Biblical Personalities and Archaeology, and Stories of Biblical Mothers: Maternal Power in the Hebrew Bible. Dr. Bronner lives with her husband in Los Angeles, where she devotes much of her time to teaching and writing.

It's a book to read more than once.

Blogging on The Times of Israel

Maybe I'm selling myself too cheap, giving my writing away for free, yet again, but as soon as I saw that it was possible to blog on the new news site, The Times of Israel, I just had to apply.  I was accepted, sent in my picture and now I'm one of their bloggers.

Read my first blog post titled:

Shiloh, Why Not the Real Thing?

Nu, what do you think?

Resentful, Uppity Servants, Tanach, Bible Lesson

Yesterday at Matan, Dr. Yael Ziegler, King David: Unified Nation, Divided House,  taught us 2Samuel Chapter 9 which begins when King David asked if there were any survivors of the family of King Saul, his predecessor, the first King of the Jewish Nation. 

The representative of the House of King Saul was a servant named, צִיבָא Tziva, who told him about the lame Mephiboshet, son of Jonathan, with whom King David had pledged eternal alliance. King David basically adopts Mephiboshet, providing him with income. 

Then Yael gave us more information about what later on happens between King David, Mephiboshet and Tziva, which is mentioned in this Bible lesson, see part II, on the Herzog College site.  To quickly summarize, Tziva connives to make King David believe that Mephiboshet was disloyal.  David believes him and rewards his "loyalty" with Mephiboshet's property.  See 2Samuel Chapter 16.

Bells started "going off in my head."  Could this Tziva be the unnamed servant of the young Saul who directed him to Samuel The Prophet? See 1Samuel Chapter 9. 

ה הֵמָּה, בָּאוּ בְּאֶרֶץ צוּף, וְשָׁאוּל אָמַר לְנַעֲרוֹ אֲשֶׁר-עִמּוֹ, לְכָה וְנָשׁוּבָה--פֶּן-יֶחְדַּל אָבִי מִן-הָאֲתֹנוֹת, וְדָאַג לָנוּ. 5 When they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him: 'Come and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and become anxious concerning us.' ו וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, הִנֵּה-נָא אִישׁ-אֱלֹהִים בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת, וְהָאִישׁ נִכְבָּד, כֹּל אֲשֶׁר-יְדַבֵּר בּוֹא יָבוֹא; עַתָּה, נֵלְכָה שָּׁם--אוּלַי יַגִּיד לָנוּ, אֶת-דַּרְכֵּנוּ אֲשֶׁר-הָלַכְנוּ עָלֶיהָ. 6 And he said unto him: 'Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honour; all that he saith cometh surely to pass; now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.' ז וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לְנַעֲרוֹ, וְהִנֵּה נֵלֵךְ וּמַה-נָּבִיא לָאִישׁ--כִּי הַלֶּחֶם אָזַל מִכֵּלֵינוּ, וּתְשׁוּרָה אֵין-לְהָבִיא לְאִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים: מָה, אִתָּנוּ. 7 Then said Saul to his servant: 'But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God; what have we?' ח וַיֹּסֶף הַנַּעַר, לַעֲנוֹת אֶת-שָׁאוּל, וַיֹּאמֶר, הִנֵּה נִמְצָא בְיָדִי רֶבַע שֶׁקֶל כָּסֶף; וְנָתַתִּי לְאִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, וְהִגִּיד לָנוּ אֶת-דַּרְכֵּנוּ. 8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said: 'Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver, that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.'-- ט לְפָנִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, כֹּה-אָמַר הָאִישׁ בְּלֶכְתּוֹ לִדְרוֹשׁ אֱלֹהִים, לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה, עַד-הָרֹאֶה: כִּי לַנָּבִיא הַיּוֹם, יִקָּרֵא לְפָנִים הָרֹאֶה. 9 Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said: 'Come and let us go to the seer'; for he that is now called a prophet was beforetime called a seer.-- י וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לְנַעֲרוֹ טוֹב דְּבָרְךָ, לְכָה נֵלֵכָה; וַיֵּלְכוּ, אֶל-הָעִיר, אֲשֶׁר-שָׁם, אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים. 10 Then said Saul to his servant: 'Well said; come, let us go.' So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

I've always found this event rather peculiar.  Saul seems so lacking in decision-making and leadership skills.  The servant leads him around, the reverse of what you would expect from a potential king.

Could that servant have been Tziva?  It would make sense.  If he is the old veteran servant from King Saul's time, then King David knew him well and Tziva was certainly comfortable as go-between.  He would be taking care of the fourth generation of the line and chafing at the lowly role by the time he deceived King David about Mephiboshet's loyalty.

I asked Dr. Ziegler and she thought for a moment.  She replied that she has never seen a commentary that says what I just said, but that does not mean that I was wrong.

She then quoted from our chapter, 2Samuel 9:

ט וַיִּקְרָא הַמֶּלֶךְ, אֶל-צִיבָא נַעַר שָׁאוּל--וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו: כֹּל אֲשֶׁר הָיָה לְשָׁאוּל וּלְכָל-בֵּיתוֹ, נָתַתִּי לְבֶן-אֲדֹנֶיךָ. 9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him: 'All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given unto thy master's son.

From the text, it does appear that Tziva was that old servant. Apparently after decades of work playing #2, he rebelled.

Double Rosh Chodesh Adar!

Just a reminder to spread the word to women to join us in Rosh Chodesh Prayers.

The Rosh Chodesh Adar Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Friday, February 24, 2012 8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Tour & Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר בתל שילה

יום ו' 24-2 8:30

יהיו סיור ודבר תורה קצרים

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

You're welcome to join our facebook page. Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office. Email telshilo@gmail.com or phone 02-994-4019.

Is Obama Just An American Problem, An Israeli Problem or a World Problem?

As you know, I'm not an Obama hassid, fan, but since he's the President of the United States, and I live and vote in Israel only, I try not to write all that much about him or credit him with any authority here.  I also refuse to repeat all of those "it's Obama's fault" type of articles concerning Israel.  I consider the Israeli Government and citizens responsible for Israel's policy and security.  Seraphic Secrets, a blog worth reading and following,  has a very interesting Obama article.  It begins with:

This morning, I was going to write about the unfortunate if not dangerous comments made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey regarding Israel and Iran’s nuclear program. General Dempsey, it should be noted, has been drafted as a spokesman for Obama’s reelection campaign. His remarks are stunning in their strategic foolishness and make clear—as if further clarification were needed—that the Obama administration is actively hostile to the Jewish State.

And then it quotes The Wall Street Journal:

Is the Obama Administration more concerned that Iran may get a nuclear weapon, or that Israel may use military force to prevent Iran from doing so? The answer is the latter, judging from comments on Sunday by Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey.
Appearing on CNN, General Dempsey sent precisely the wrong message if the main U.S. strategic goal is convincing Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. He said the U.S. is urging Israel not to attack Iran—because Iran hasn’t decided to build a bomb, because an Israeli attack probably wouldn’t set back Iran by more than a couple of years, and because it would invite retaliation and be “destabilizing” throughout the Middle East.
“That’s the question with which we all wrestle. And the reason we think that it’s not prudent at this point to decide to attack Iran,” the General said, referring to a possible Iranian response to an attack. “That’s been our counsel to our allies, the Israelis. And we also know or believe we know that the Iranian regime has not decided that they will embark on the capability—or the effort to weaponize their nuclear capability.”
In a single sound bite, General Dempsey managed to tell the Iranians they can breathe easier because Israel’s main ally is opposed to an attack on Iran, such attack isn’t likely to work in any case, and the U.S. fears Iran’s retaliation. It’s as if General Dempsey wanted to ratify Iran’s rhetoric that the regime is a fearsome global military threat.
If the U.S. really wanted its diplomacy to work in lieu of force, it would say and do whatever it can to increase Iran’s fear of an attack. It would say publicly that Israel must be able to protect itself and that it has the means to do so. America’s top military officer in particular should say that if Iran escalates in response to an Israeli attack, the U.S. would have no choice but to intervene on behalf of its ally. The point of coercive diplomacy is to make an adversary understand that the costs of its bad behavior will be very, very high.
The general is not a free-lancer, so his message was almost certainly guided by the White House. His remarks only make strategic sense if President Obama’s real priority is to contain Israel first—especially before the November election.
This might also explain General Dempsey’s comments that the U.S. doesn’t believe Iran’s regime has decided to build an atomic bomb and that it is a “rational” actor, like, say, the Dutch. This would be the same rational Iran that refuses to compromise on its nuclear plans despite increasingly damaging global sanctions, and the same prudent actor that has sent agents around the world to bomb Israeli and Saudi targets, allegedly including in a Washington, D.C. restaurant.
Iran doesn’t need to explode a bomb, or even declare that it has one, to win its nuclear standoff. All it needs to do is get to the brink and make everyone believe it can build a bomb when it wants to. Then the costs of deterring Iran go up exponentially, and the regime’s leverage multiplies in the Middle East and against American interests. General Dempsey’s assurances obscure that military and political reality.
Like most of Mr. Obama’s Iran policy, General Dempsey’s comments will have the effect of making war more likely, not less. They will increase Israel’s anxiety about U.S. support, especially if Mr. Obama is re-elected and he has a freer political hand. This may drive Israel’s leadership to strike sooner. Weakness invites war, and General Dempsey has helped the Administration send a message of weakness to Israel and Iran.

As a high school EFL English Teacher, I'd try very hard to help my students see the "main idea" in a reading passage.  As a Life Coach, I also try to listen very carefully to find out what a person's words really mean.  It's frequently far from what they perceive as their problem.  Words have multiple meanings.  Whether intentionally or not, we frequently mask our intentions with the wrong words. 

Political "spinners" are masters in confusing minds.  The Barack Hussein Obama team has been writing his "screenplay" masterfully, to give the intended impression to his audience/s.  When he speaks to Jewish groups he keeps on saying, mantra-style, that he, Obama, is the best friend Israel has ever had, even though the facts are the exact opposite.  Not only his attitude, but his policies are dangerous to the security of the State of Israel.  Unlike some other United States Presidents who didn't feel an affinity to Israel, he doesn't see Israel as a valuable ideological or defensive ally.

Americans shouldn't ignore the fact that their President seems more ideologically comfortable with the Muslim Brotherhood than with Israel.  Not only is this dangerous for the United States, it's dangerous for the entire world.

Should We "Land of Israel Loyalists" Be Hunger-Striking Like Khader Adnan?

Did  Khader Adnan's 66 day hunger strike get the Israeli Government to weaken?

Israel's state prosecution reaches deal with "Islamic Jihad operative (sic)" Khader Adnan, who is due to be released in April. (complete article)

 More...

Government spokesperson Mark Regev told CNN Monday that hospital officials are doing all they can to prevent any harm to Adnan, and pointed out that he is no longer shackled to his bed. After being asked by interviewer Hala Gorani about Adnan’s long detention without trial, Regev said that Adnan had already been allowed to appear before a judge and that his imprisonment is at par with measures that are in place in other Western democracies fighting terrorism. “When you deal with terrorists often what you have is confidential intelligence so you have to hold people as you collect more; it’s better to hold him than to have other people killed tomorrow.” “You have to protect the public against violence and extreme killers ... he has been arrested numerous times by the Palestinians themselves,” Regev said. (complete article)

Here's the official Israeli Government Statement:

Justice Ministry Statement Regarding Khader Adnan
Following is a translation of a request submitted by the State Attorney and the attorney of the appellant (Khader Adnan) to the Supreme Court:
"1. This petition regards the appellant's request for an order to revoke the administrative detention order that was issued against him, and is in force until 8.5.12.
2. The State would like to announce – after the issue had been brought before the Attorney General – that it agrees to offset the days in which the appellant was detained for the purpose of a criminal investigation prior to his administrative detention from the period of the current administrative detention order, and also announces that as long as no new significant and substantive material is added regarding the appellant, there is no intention to extend the administrative detention.
Therefore, as long as no new significant and substantive material is added regarding the appellant, his administrative detention will end on 17.4.12.
3. In light of State's foregoing announcement, the appellant states – via his attorney – that he is halting his hunger strike effective immediately.
4. In light of the foregoing, the State and the appellant ask that the honorable Court order that the petition be dismissed without an order regarding costs, and that the discussion scheduled for today (Tuesday), 21.2.12, be cancelled."

A photo I took in Migron over six years ago.

Now, if had some determined volunteers to hunger strike for Migron and other  Jewish communities endangered by Israeli Government policy, would Bibi and Barak change their stripes?

We don't want more Jewish homes destroyed!

We (Israel Doesn't) Don't Need Obama's Permission!

Dry Bones' classic cartoon hits the spot.  All I can think of is how badly we've done security-wise ever since we began asking and taking advice from America.

We defeated all of the Arab armies which attacked us and tried to prevent our independence in 1948.  That was without any outside help.  Ditto for 1967.  We would have ceased to exist as an independent State of Israel if we had had any "help."  G-d's help and the prayer of World Jewry were all we needed.  Our victory in six days is the greatest and most unexpected and illogical military victory in the history of the world.

When Menachem Begin was Israel's Prime Minister and had us bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor, he didn't consult and publically yap about it for years beforehand.  That's why it was a successful operation.  The biggest reason I'm against Israel doing anything "similar" against Iran is that it can't be similar, because there is no secrecy and no surprise.  There has been much too much talk about how and why Israel should or shouldn't bomb Iran.

When it comes to security, loose lips are the biggest danger.  Too many of Israel's military leaders, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, are too connected to the American government and military.  I'm sorry to say this; I just don't trust them.  And what's the "them" as is asked in many "reading comprehensions?"  All of those I just mentioned, the Americans and the Israeli officials.

I think I've written enough for now.  Your reactions are invited in the comments, thanks.

To Caroline Glick, Mazal Tov and Much More. The Root of Anti-Semitism

Caroline Glick, writer of all those great opinion pieces in the Jerusalem Post and founder of Latma gave birth to a baby recently.  That hasn't stopped her from writing, at least on her site.

Her latest article is about the anti-Israel/Semitism found in her old alma mater, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and other esteemed universities.  I wrote a comment about her post, but, as usual, the comment company rejected it.  Here's the comment:

First of all, MAZALTOV! There's nothing more important than children. Considering the unabashed anti-Semitism/Israel nonsense being taught in all shades, sizes and "classes" of universities, it makes it easier to understand how the Nazis had no problems getting away with their anti-Jewish policies.

We must take very seriously that the ideology of anti-Semitism/Israel is strongly rooted in academic life and lore in the western, Christian world.  That's because the basic concept of Christianity is to replace Judaism.  It doesn't matter that today many some Christian theologians recognize that it's not "pc" to say things like that, so they coat it with more acceptable and incomprehensible phraseology.

Just by the Christians' calling their bible the "New Testament" as opposed to the Jewish "Old Testament" is simple proof. The original Bible which chronicles the creation of the world by G-d and man's discovery of G-d's powers, the development of the Jewish religion and People and History and attachment to the Holy Land, does not need revision.

G-d makes it very clear that no man can be G-d.

The very basis of Christianity that Jesus is G-d and should be worshipped is against G-d's commandments.

According to the Christian religion, non-believers, that is those who don't believe in Jesus, are cursed to rot in hell, so they will do anything to "save" us.  That includes lying.

IMHO, we really can't expect the Christian world, including the most elite and esteemed of the universities and academics to be objective concerning Israel and Jews.  Sorry, but you can't whitewash the truth.

Nu? What's New in the Jewish News Media?

There's a new guy on the Jewish news block called The Times of Israel.  It's mostly about Israel, though not exclusively.  It's all online, facebook and twitter, yes, very modern and up-to-date in that sense. 

It seems that David Horowitz, former Editor in Chief of The Jerusalem Post has taken along many of the best and brightest from that paper to staff his new one.  I remember his talk at the Second (and last) International Jewish Bloggers Convention when he complained that since the Jerusalem Post had gone internet, there was no quiet spell on the news desk, since the paper no longer "went to bed."  The internet had make journalism a 100% 24/7 job.  The only day the Jerusalem Post stopped the presses was on Yom Kippur.  He mentioned taking on more and more of Shabbat observance, just to get some peace and rest.  The mostly Torah observant audience clapped loudly for that.  I wonder what the policy and his work life is like on his new internet paper.

For me, this new paper isn't all that great, since I don't carry along the right sort of technology.  My cell phone is just used as a phone, and I don't have all those fancy electric media/book stuff in my bags.  I also don't spend the day on the computer.  I live a much more primitive f2f type of life.  It's going to be hard to fit all this new newspaper into my already busy computer time, but I'll try.

Good luck to Times of Israel!

Latma's "Anyone You Can Fool I Can Fool Better" in honor of the unity between Hamas and Fatah's conciliation. Sing Along!

Latma #133 with the song "Anyone You Can Fool I Can Fool Better" in honor of the unity between Hamas and Fatah's conciliation and healthy competition between them. Ilana Dayan strikes again with an especially courageous and surprising investigation. Latma, the Right way of looking at the news.

Too Easy to Target Israel

Israel is always held to different standards.  One of the latest anti-Israel anti-El Al "jabs" is by some Arab journalist complaining about security enforcement.  I had it on Delta flying out of Phoenix, Arizona. Wearing the same skirt I had worn flying out of Israel's Ben Gurion Airport and JFK, only the AZ airport demanded a "pat-down."

That's just the annoying stuff. 

Bank robbers no longer need to arm themselves with guns and other dangerous devices.  They hack into the bank via the internet, instead of blasting with explosives.

But there still are physical dangers, like the attack in India which seriously wounded the Israeli Ambassador's wife.

Has the United Nations called an emergency meeting of the Security Council?

Honenu News and More

You may have noticed that I've added something new to this blog, a Honenu news ticker.  It's on the right sidebar just above the Jewish Israel one.  For some strange reason, of late you have to be on/in a specific post/article on this blog to see the sidebars, so, just click a post title and the sidebars will appear, G-d and google willing.  And, also inexplicable, is that the lower portion of the right sidebar has been "eaten up" by some mysterious internet demons.

Honenu and Jewish Israel are two very important organizations and internet sites.  I support and agree with them both.  That's why I have them both on my blog and I help out however I can.

Honenu is a very needed, unfortunately, legal aid organization that assists those Jews who are arrested by the Israeli Government for defending Jewish Rights:

Honenu was established in 2001 by Shmuel Meidad {no relation.} Honenu in a non profit legal defense organization providing legal aid to our loyal citizens, who at times due to the security situation are being persecuted by government authorities and a court system heavily influenced and pressured by anti Israel “human rights” groups. These groups are heavily funded by the European Union and others.

Honenu is the only legal aid group that defends Jewish dissidents.  I know many people who have been helped by them.

Jewish Israel defends Judaism from Christian encroachment into our Jewish Land and People.

We at JewishIsrael understand that this is a time of existential danger and - for many - spiritual confusion. We acknowledge that there are certain rabbinic and community leaders in Israel and America who attribute the current outpouring of fundamentalist Christian support for Israel to a prophetic era of apocalyptic change. We must remind them that regardless of one’s worldview, we Jews are obligated to hold our spiritual and physical ground and there is no rationale for breaking halachic fences, blurring lines, and jeopardizing or compromising the Jewish faith by openly embracing and encouraging evangelical designs for Israel.

I highly recommend that you make a point of visiting and supporting both of these groups. Thank you

The Truth About Coalition Power in Israeli Governments

I think the time has come for me to reveal the truth about coalition power and politics in Israeli Governments.  Just too many of the comments to my recent post about the Likud are completely mistaken about how coalition politics works in Israel.

Recent Israeli Government Cabinets, Ministers With Portfolios, Without Portfolios and S'gan (Vice/Assistant) Ministers have been including a preposterous proportion of the coalition MK's (Knesset Members) and sometimes even non-parliamentary appointees.  A very small percentage of the "Cabinet" actually have political power, the type of power that can affect national policy beyond the scope of their narrow portfolios.

Add to this the restrictions, aka "coalition discipline" that the party heads and MK's must sign to join the coalition, and you end up with a bunch of well-paid lap dogs on tight leashes for the Prime Minister.  The larger the coalition the less influence it has.  Simply put- 

The government coalition protects the Prime Minister from the opposition.

The coalition ministers and MK's must toe the party coalition line or lose its perks, like ministries and the extra jobs it can offer party activists.

It is a very rare Israeli Prime Minister who is actually dependent on his coalition.  I can't remember the last time we've had that situation. 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is a very sharp guy and quick learner.  He now has complete control of his party, the Likud and his ministers and government.  His first term in office was a personal political disaster, but he learned what to do and how to fix it.  Yes, I do admire that part of him .  I just don't agree with his policies and actions on the whole!

I support and vote for the Ichud Le'umi, National Union, davka, because I don't want it in the coalition.  I don't want to vote for people who would be the kind of MK who could compromise principles.

Read Their Lips: "PA TV Song Longs for a World Without Israel"

There's nothing better than PMW, Palestinian Media Watch to give us the truth about what's happening in the Arab world, especially the ones trying to take over Israel. PA TV song longs for a world without Israel. That shouldn't surprise anyone. It's extremely dangerous for the security and continued existence of the State of Israel to ignore what they are singing.

"I wish I could enter my country with no borders...
I will go about in Bethlehem and in Al-Aqsa [Mosque], which is held captive
I will eat lunch in Nazareth and eat dinner in Beit Sahour...
I do not forget Jenin nor Nablus, and the Galilee
I do not forget you, Jaffa, your long sea [shore]
I will never forget the olives of the Galilee
Even if our path has grown long, one day we will return:
To Jerusalem, to Gaza, to Acre, to Haifa, oh Lord.
To Jerusalem, to Ramle, to Acre, to Haifa, oh Lord...
I wish I could enter my country with no borders."
PA TV (Fatah), Jan. 30 and Feb. 9, 2012

The Left and Center*, international and Israeli, politicians, media, diplomats and academics, keep pounding away that the Arabs will give Israel "peace" in exchange for our Land and recognition. They are all lying.

*I'm now including those who consider themselves "center" in this grouping, because the lie has gained such a strong following that it's almost unheard of for anyone outside of the rational Right to say otherwise. The majority is wrong. I'm not afraid to tell the truth.

Exciting News For Tel Shiloh

Ministerial Heritage Plan Committee Approves 13 Additional Initiatives for Renovation and Strengthening (Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser) The Ministerial Heritage Plan Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday), 14.2.12, unanimously approved a plan to renovate and strengthen 13 additional initiatives, at a cost of NIS 72.5 (NIS 32.5 will be financed by the Heritage Plan and NIS 40 million will be financed by outside sources). The approved initiatives include archaeological sites, sites and structures for preservation and archives, as well as intangible initiatives that promote culture and the arts.

Tel Shiloh is included in the list of important heritage sites. One of the added bonuses in my going to Tel Shiloh every Rosh Chodesh to pray is to see the changes. Most of the time I pay attention to how G-d redecorates, and a month betwen visits gives a good perspecitve. Next Rosh Chodesh, Adar, the month of Purim is coming up. Please spread the word:

The Rosh Chodesh Adar Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Friday, February 24, 2012 8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Tour & Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר בתל שילה

יום ו' 24-2 8:30

יהיו סיור ודבר תורה קצרים

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

You're welcome to join our facebook page. Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office. Email telshilo@gmail.com or phone 02-994-4019.

Hong Kong to British Drivers License Fraud and OrthodoxReligious Jews

Chillul HaShem, disgracing G-d's name.

Obviously Orthodox Jews wearing kippot and tzitzi'ot were just shown on BBC news tv selling fraudulent Hong Kong drivers licenses.

Very sad

Fighting the Zionist Dream, Why Olmert? He is Too "Tired."

The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference: Fighting the Zionist Dream, Why is Olmert a featured speaker? He is Too "Tired."

"We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies, we want that we will be able to live in an entirely different environment of relations with our enemies." -- Ehud Olmert to Israel Policy Forum in New York.

According to the "blurb" under Olmert's picture:

Special guest – former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert led Israel through two wars and attempted to make peace as Israel's prime minister from 2006 to 2009. Prior to that he had a 30-year political career in which he served as mayor of Jerusalem for a decade after serving in the Knesset on the Foreign Affairs and Defense, Finance, Education and Defense Budget committees. He has also served as minister-without-portfolio responsible for minority affairs and as minister of health.

The Jerusalem Post is ignoring not only Olmert's famous words, which are the antithesis of the theme of the conference, but the fact that he is being tried on corruption charges.

In a new twist to the Ehud Olmert corruption saga, the former prime minister and 12 others were indicted on Thursday on allegations of giving and receiving bribes in one of the largest corruption scandals in the state’s history.

I davka linked to an article in the Jerusalem Post, because this is no secret to the JPost.  Olmert's scandals have been public and publicized for years already.  Nothing of what I've written here is new. 

I do have a question I haven't seen asked:

How can the Israeli legal/justice system allow Olmert to leave the country while he's being tried and investigated?

History, Where Do The Nazis Fit In?

As King Solomon wrote in Kohelet, Ecclesiastes:

"Nothing is new."

The Jewish People must seriously pay attention to the facts.  Nothing we do will win the Arabs over.  Forget the "encouragement" and other dangerous gestures.  They want to destroy us and we must take proper steps.

Thanks to Pepy's Coffee Shop

Likud, No Matter Who's "Cooking" It's Awful

The Likud is like some old uncle whom you have to respect but not like.  We've been in Israel since 1970, predating the Likud. It was just Gahal then, the Herut-Liberal Block.  Somehow along the way we became paying members of the Likud and religiously vote in the internal elections, but as I've blogged on many occasions, I don't vote Likud.  I support neither Bibi, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, nor Moshe Feiglin.

I respect Netanyahu's knowledge and political skills, but I feel that they are both misused.  I disagree with his official platforms, since he "centers" it all, because he thinks that to be a national leader, he must compromise and grab the center.

My feelings about Feiglin are the opposite.  I agree with his policies and ideology when it comes to security, religion, Land of Israel etc, but I think he has gotten his politics all wrong.  He is not a competent politician; a politician knows how to win elections and get his people in with him.

During the recent Likud elections Moshe Feiglin's group put out this poster.

It claims that it's between "Feiglin and (Defense Minister Ehud) Barak."  The message is that if you don't vote for Feiglin, you'll get Barak.  Feiglin has been trying to get power in the Likud for a very long time already.  He has made no real progress at all.  Yes, I voted for him in the internal elections, but in the national Knesset Elections I won't vote Likud.  Actually I'd take a version of this poster and have it read:

NU-National Union (Eldad, Ben-Arie etc)
versus
Ehud Barak-Likud (Binyamin Netanyahu)

If you vote Likud, you'll get Leftist anti-settlement Ehud Barak.  The only way of keeping Barak out of power is to vote for a reliably Right pro-settlement party, and there's only one on the menu Ichud Le'umi NU.  Bibi has given Ehud Barak unprecedented powers.  And I'm not afraid of Likud's losing the election, because in the opposition they are always more Right and pro-Land of Israel.  It's only the Likud that has destroyed Jewish communities.  Think about it.

As A Jew... It's a "No Brainer;" Jewish Law Trumps Secular Philosophy

My main objection to rabbis such as Riskin, Lichtenstein, Boteach etc who are ritually Orthoddox but politically and philosophically Liberal (with a capital "L,") is that they have substituted a secular philosophy and value system for pure Judaism.  There's a very crucial, dangerous conflict in that.  Judaism, as many polled by Israel Democracy Institute’s Guttman Center for Surveys, along with the Avi Chai Foundation agree, includes a G-d given philosophy and value system which must be followed.

Democracy, for example, is not a Jewish value.  We are warned not to follow the majority, because it is frequently wrong.  We're supposed to follow the one giving us G-d's instructions and not the majority.  One of my favorite Torah examples is when G-d told Moses to send representatives to scout the Land after fleeing Egypt and Pharaoh's cruel regime with the help of G-d and His Miracles.  Moses assembled a delegation of tribal representatives, twelve in all, one from each tribe.  Instead of just reporting the beauties, riches and wonders they saw, they, ten out of twelve--the majority analyzed the situation and reported that there was no way that the Jewish People, tired* former slaves, could possibly conquer the inhabitants of the Land.

The Jewish People exist and survive due to a totally different system.  G-d runs that system, and we can't figure it out.  It trumps nature for sure.  That's the story behind Israel's victory in the 1967 Six Days War.  All of the experts had predicted Israel's defeat.  Without any allies at all, Israel took on the Arab armies on all fronts and rolled them back.  With G-d's help, Syria gave us the Golan, Egypt gave us the Sinai and Jordan gave us all of the Land west of the Jordan River which includes Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.

Democracy and western values have given us nothing, nothing at all.  The "civilized, cultured" western, Christian world stood by as the Nazis slaughtered the Jews of Europe.  The war against the Nazis wasn't to rescue Jews it was to stop the invasion of Europe and Britain.

G-d's Law, Jewish Law is the only one I care about.

*tired-Just like Ehud Olmert

Spotlight on Gush Katif Education Week

Spotlight on Gush Katif Education Week by Sara L. Shomron

There are many who remain unaware of the controversial forced removal, dispossession and destruction of the Gush Katif bloc of Jewish communities, August, 2005. Those Jewish youth, in Israel and abroad, too young at the time to know of it can now connect to the Zionist imperative and legacy.

This week, February 12-17, 2012, in conjunction with the Knesset’s “Gush Katif and Northern Shomron Memorial Law,” passed in 2008, and with the approval of the Ministry of Education. hundreds of schools across Israel will voluntarily designate a special Gush Katif Day or week by learning about the history and relevance of Gush Katif to the country’s development. The dynamic and engaging programs will include speakers from former Gush Katif communities, relevant videos, and a Gush Katif (Hebrew) educational kit. These kits, produced by the Gush Katif Committee, provide student-friendly, grade appropriate legacy materials.




1) Youtube videos abound in English and Hebrew,and can be pre-screened.


2) Materials available in English include but are not limited to:
Gush Katif: A Celebration of the Settlers
video narrated with a message of hope by teenage Neve Dekalim resident and author, Shifra Shomron



Guide to Gush Katif: A Celebration to the Settlers video
the testimonial and authentic account of Shifra Shomron,
Grains Of Sand The Fall of Neve Dekalim a novel written in third person historical fiction format;
Literature Study Guide for Grains Of Sand The Fall Of Neve Dekalim power point slide–show presentation;
"Grains Of Sand" Post-reading activities and project ideas


3) Suggested Gush Katif books in English can be found here


4) Facebook pages offering a more personal look and awareness of former Gush Katif residents including issues still being grappled.


5) The Jewish Press newspaper is running an exclusive feature on Gush Katif families and their current situation:
THE KALEF FAMILY FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW OF NITZAN

THE CHEMLA FAMILY FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW OF NITZAN

THE SHAUL FAMILY - FORMERLY OF MOSHAV GAN OR; NOW NITZAN CARAVILLA SITE


YOSSI AND SARA LAYAH SHOMRON: FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM, NOW NITZAN

THE LILINTAL FAMILY - FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW NITZAN

THE HADAD FAMILY - THEN NETZER HAZANI; NOW NITZAN


THE SHATZ FAMILY - THEN ELEY SINAI; NOW KIBBUTZ KARMYIA

THE YEFETS - THEN NETZER HAZANI, GUSH KATIF; NOW EIN TZURIM

THE YA'AKOVS - FORMERLY OF GAN OR; NOW IN NITZAN


THE TUCKERS - NETZER HAZANI, GUSH KATIF NOW OF EIN TZURIM

THE ELAZRIS - FORMERLY OF MOSHAV BEDOLAH, GUSH KATIF; NOW NITZAN

5) Veterans: Home, finally AVIN GANGTE representing the Bnai Menashe Community

6) The Gush Katif Museum

7) The Gush Katif Committee updates on the plight of the former Gush Katif residents here

The above select links and a host of others can all help keep the Gush Katif memory and legacy. Gush Katif has an important place in the Zionist enterprise and there are many lessons to learn - and not repeat. Consider the impact by this New Jersey youth's project - read about it here. After all, the forced removal of Jewish citizens and destruction of the Gush Katif communities affected us all regardless of religious and/or political affiliation – and remains relevant to this day.

Some Things Just aren't Funny

I've written comedy, and no doubt I'll write more.  It's amazing what you can turn into a joke.  Just recently I was sent the Dave Barry piece about colonoscopies.  For those who are told by their doctors that their "clean" it is funny, but for quite a few who discovered there was cancer deep in their bowels, I doubt if they consider it a joking matter.  Maybe some do.  A friend who suffered a double mastectomy and I were able to laugh and make up jokes about it and reconstructive surgery, but not everybody has her talent for creating a "bright side."

There are topics not even I could laugh about, such as Hitler, Nazis and a world sans Israel.

Ruthie Blum wrote an excellent article in Hayom about why Nazis aren't a joking matter.  For all of you who have missed her excellent work ever since she left the Jerusalem Post, you'll be able to read her op-eds in Hayom a couple of times a week.

...This is why there is little to no chance that I will run to see what promises to be the next low-budget cult movie to captivate audiences around the world, "Iron Sky." That it is a box-office favorite at the politically left-leaning Berlinale International Film Festival this week in Germany only adds to my aversion. ...This one is about an imaginary Nazi plot to take over the Earth – not from Germany, mind you, where it historically originated, but from a military base on the dark side of the moon. Indeed, this year’s choice pick for the Berlinale’s top prize is a Finnish science-fiction black comedy (though, judging from the trailer, it looks like a god-awful tragedy) in which human beings have to – gasp! – defeat Nazis or be killed by them. ...The idea behind it is that a bunch of Nazis who escaped death or capture at the end of World War II fled to the Antarctic to work on a clandestine space program. In 1945, they ostensibly launched spaceships to the Schwarze Sonne (the "black sun"), a military base they established on the dark side of the moon. The purpose of this base was to develop an armada with which to retake the world – a mission they had been prevented from accomplishing the first time around … you know, thanks to the actual Allied forces. Now, in the year 2018, the descendants of the original Nazis are going to finish the job that their ancestors started and achieve global – or in this case intergalactic – domination...

The screenwriters got one thing right.    The Nazi aim was to take over the world.  Their attempts to annihilate the Jewish People, even Jews who weren't Jews--using their own definition of "who is a Jew," including anyone with a Jewish grandparent are very similar to what is happening today. 

Hat tip IMRA

Hamas "will never recognise Israel," Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said Saturday in a speech in Iran that is likely to complicate Palestinian efforts to form a unity government in the teeth of opposition from the Jewish state. "They want us to recognise the Israeli occupation and cease resistance but, as the representative of the Palestinan people and in the name of all the world's freedom seekers, I am announcing from Azadi Square in Tehran that we will never recognise Israel," Haniya said. "The resistance will continue until all Palestinian land, including Al-Quds (Jerusalem), has been liberated and all the refugees have returned," he said. Haniya's reiteration of Hamas's long-held stance was made on the occasion of Iran's commemoration of its 1979 Islamic revolution. The Gaza leader spoke to an estimated crowd of 30,000 from a stage alongside Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "The Iranian people are a partner in this victory," Haniya said. "God willing, we will met you along with other Palestinians in a free Palestine, in its capital Al-Quds," he said. (complete aretivle)

We must take everything they say very seriously, very literally.  No joke

It's Latma Time! The Right News

Thank Caroline Glick for Latma!  The UN issues a scary warning to Syria and more Right news.

This week Latma's Tribal Update presents UN Representative Johann Phlegmat discussing UN plans to end Assad's killing spree in Syria. The Israel media blow a gasket on the Likud primaries and Amnon Abramovich expands his reach to the fashion industry.

Yes, The State of Israel Needs Help From G-d and Us

I'm one of those who considers the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel a very important and well-written prayer.  Rafi of Life in Israel just posted one of the more popular renditions.



This version is arranged and conducted by Dr. Mordechai Sobel who does fantastic work. We've enjoyed two Shabbatot in Tel Aviv with him. Each time I found myself standing for hours, the entire morning prayer, peeking mesmerized from the Women's Gallery.

I'm no expert concerning the various versions of words; the basic idea is the same in all.

This traditional version of the Prayer for the State of Israel was published by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel in 1948.

Our Father who is in heaven, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the dawn of our deliverance. Shield it beneath the wings of Your love; spread over it Your canopy of peace; send Your light and Your truth to its leaders, officers, and counselors, and direct them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the defenders of our Holy Land; grant them, our God, salvation and crown them with victory. Establish peace in the land, and everlasting joy for its inhabitants. Remember our brethren, the whole house of Israel, in all the lands of their dispersion. Speedily bring them to Zion, Your city, to Jerusalem Your dwelling-place, as it is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: “Even if you are dispersed in the uttermost parts of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather and fetch you. The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your ancestors possessed, and you shall possess it; and God will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your ancestors.” Unite our hearts to love and revere Your name, and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah. Speedily send us Your righteous Messiah of the House of David, to redeem those waiting for Your salvation. Shine forth in Your glorious majesty over all the inhabitants of Your world. Let everything that breathes proclaim: “The Lord God of Israel is King; His majesty rules over all.” Amen. Selah.

This alternative version is adapted from the Kol Haneshama siddur, 1994.

Please God, bless the State of Israel. Protect it in the abundance of your love. Spread over it the shelter of your peace. Send forth your light and truth to those who lead and judge it, and to those who hold elective office. Establish in them, through your presence, wise counsel, that they might walk in the way of justice, freedom and integrity. Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land. Let them inherit salvation and life. And give peace to the land, and perpetual joy to all its inhabitants. Appoint for a blessing all our kindred of the house of Israel in all the lands of their dispersion. Plant in their hearts a love to Zion. And for all our people everywhere, may God be with them, and may they have the opportunity to go up to the land. Cause your spirit’s influence to emanate upon the dwellers of our holy land. Remove from their midst hatred and enmity, jealousy and wickedness. Plant in their hearts love and kinship, peace and friendship. And soon fulfill the vision of your profit, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Let them learn no longer the ways of war.” And let us say, Amen.

Here's another youtube of it.

"You Give Me Hope," The Arab Said. Should I Be Glad or Scared?

As you must know by now, I work with Arabs, a lot, more than I had ever imagined.  My selling job has put me in contact with Arabs all the time.  They love to shop in the Rami Levi, Yafiz stores.  Our branch, in Sha'ar Binyamin, isn't restricted to Arabs with "papers."  Most (or all) of the other branches are in areas in which only Arabs with entrance permits can go in.

So we get Arab tourists from countries that aren't allowed in Israel and Arabs from the PA.  Even some of the workers can't go to other branches to work.

Never in a million years did I ever expect to find myself in this "oasis" of Jewish-Arab what's the right word...  It's  a pragmatic "tolerance" of sorts.

There are a number of actresses, mostly very amateur in my family, and I guess that when I'm working, I go into an acting mode.  Salespeople and teachers are on stage, no less than TV, Broadway and movie stars.  So, you can say that I'm in the family profession.

Using that analogy, once I'm on-stage I really don't pay much attention to people's dress and nationality or identity.  I just enjoy selling the clothes we have. Yes, I really do.  It's fun and much easier than controlling a class.  It's almost as easy as tutoring, teaching one-on-one.  Selling in the store is more like tutoring, because I work with one customer at a time.

The other night, there was this Arab guy on the outside of the store, where we have a lot of sales items.  I went over to check out what was happening.  I was fully in my role and enjoying myself; my smile was sincere and natural. From what I began to understand, the guy was there with a number of wives.  He'd check out prices of various items and send each wife to buy them with cash from his very full wallet.  He told me that he found my smile encouraging.

"You give me hope."

I didn't ask him what he meant by it.  It actually made me a bit nervous.  I don't treat the Arabs well for political reasons.  As all readers here may know, I'm not a Leftist, nor a Liberal with a capital "L." 

I'm pragmatic, not a racist.  On the stage of the store, I have no prejudice if that makes any sense.  Each person who enters is a human being and potential customer.  I don't care about their politics when I'm showing them items they can buy.  And I don't let my politics get in the way of my job.  Actually, that's not quite it.  In a sense my ideology makes my job more fun.  I love the idea that Arabs are shopping in Yafiz and Rami Levi and putting money into the Israeli economy.

But I would never ask an Arab like the guy I helped the other night what he meant by his statement.  I don't want to know and I don't want him to know what I believe either.

Maybe I'm Just Stupid, But I Con't See The Good of This General Strike

Israel is suffering a general strike.  The Histadrut,Israel's humongous and powerful labor union dictators, along with the shades of Korach faux "social justice" cult are supporting a "general strike" here in Israel.

Israel's social protest leaders join the general strike at Ben Gurion International AirportMoti Milrod

On Wednesday morning, the Histadrut declared a general strike, causing delays at Ben Gurion airport and affecting banks, hospitals, government offices, trains, the stock exchange and more. The strike at Ben Gurion airport ended at noon. However, customs officials are expected to continue work disruptions, which may cause long lines for passengers in the afternoon hours. (complete article)

I'm a bit lost here.  What was the reason, the real reason, to inconvenience people totally unconnected to the strikers' demands.  What demands?  Those of us who are getting the very low salaries, minimum wage, don't strike, can't afford to strike.  Obviously those in the faux social justice clique have the money to take the time to demonstrate.  They should have been embarrassed to be waving pro-strike signs at the airport where people have been so inconvenienced. 

These strikes are bad for the economy. Tourist don't repeat visits to places in which their planes have been held up and flights cancelled because of strikes.

I must admit, that I didn't notice any signs of strikes when in Jerusalem today, but then I didn't go to a hospital, government office or any of the other places affected by the strike.  The closest the strike hit me was when a neighbor stopped to give me a ride home from the bus this afternoon.  I asked him way he was home in the middle of the day:

"I'm striking."

Settling on "Second Best," A Visit to The Kotel

Contrary to the popular myth, the כותל Kotel, Western Wall is not "the holiest spot in the world for the Jewish People."  The wall is just an outer wall to the Herodian expansion of the Temple Mount, הר הבית Har HaBayit. Unfortunately, since a section of the actual site is very holy and we are required purify ourselves before visiting, the rabbis have taken the easy, lazy and dangerous decision of banning Jews from entering all of the Temple Mount.  I crossed out the word "the" because recently many rabbis encourage visits after the necessary purification.

Banning all visits by Jews to Har HaBayit is like saying that we must all be vegetarians, because we can't be trusted to properly slaughter, clean and cook the permitted animals and birds before eating. Think about it!

I don't see how deserting our holiest site and giving it to our sworn enemies is  what G-d wants us to do.  It's a Chillul Hashem, not a Kiddush HaShem.  By abandoning the Temple Mount, we're making the Moshiach feel very unwelcome.

It's like making the King go through the service entrance.

Fighting Back On All Fronts (plus a PS)

Unfortunately, the State of Israel and many Jews all over the world and political spectrum are afraid of appearing "too" extreme, partisan, JEWISH or whatever and waste their public relations and marketing talents on less important issues than the viability, legitimacy and right of the State of Israel.

One of the few exceptions is Caroline Glick, who writes for the Jerusalem Post and established Latma.  In her latest article she fights back attacks on herself found in an article on Huffington Post.  In Glick's latest JPost article she tries to make sense out of United States President Barack Hussein Obama's Syria policy and shows why with Obama at the helm, the USA and the free world are in serious trouble.

A few other sites on the internet contribute to revealing the true history concerning Israel.  Yitzchak Heimowitz brings up some good points about how useless American promises have been to Israel over the years, but he has trouble admitting that those points are more the rule than the exception.  Personally, I don't consider the United States to be a true ally to Israel.  The proof's in the pudding as the saying goes.  America has never gone out on a limb to do anything for Israel; it just makes dangerous demands.  And please don't bring up the faux aid to counter me.  American "aid" is not more than shopping coupons to be used in American "stores" only.  They strengthen the American economy and weaken the Israeli one, because they under-price the military defense supplies, which cause Israeli companies to fail.

I'll include here a video, not very new, which has a lot of good points, but one awful one.  The good point is all of the topographical proof, very nicely illustrated, that the best borders for a safe, secure, viable Israel are the post-1967 Six Days War ones.  But in at least one spot during the voice-over there's talk of a "demilitarized Palestinian sic State," as if it's a given, something that must and can exist.  I totally object to that. 



There is not way another state can exist in the borders of the State of Israel.  There is no historic justification for it.  There is not way that these Arab terrorists, see Soccer Dad's article, can ever be peaceful.  At present, as a "non-state," the P.A. can't be trusted.  Yes, I admit that it's very hard to turn back the clock and cancel all the rights that successive Israeli Governments have given them.  I objected to every one of those rights and privileges and we mustn't increase them. 

Remember that the AIM OF THE PALESTINIANS SIC IS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.  We must stop deluding ourselves and face the truth.

PS I just saw this "special announcement" by Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in which he condemns the latest agreement between the various Pseudostinian aka Palestinian-sic leaders. Instead of demanding that they apply "white-wash" and hide the truth, he should recognize and admit that this agreement is their true policy and take all appropriate actions.  That means cancel all "peace" negotiations etc.