I am writing this during the closing hours of Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning for the destruction of our Temples and other calamities.  Below you see ancient stones from the time of the Roman destruction of the Second Temple. Credit: Amanda Borschei-Dan/TOI On Tisha B’Av we are called upon …

In my last posting, I described the hard-nosed position taken by the IDF on the orders of Defense Minister Benny Gantz (head of Blue & White) with regard to the Nachala Movement’s effort to promote the establishment of six new yeshuvim (settlements) in Judaea, Binyamin and Samaria.  The Nachala program …

The first step is the most difficult, my friends.  That’s the first message I want to carry today. Had I written immediately after Nachala took action last Wednesday, July 20, my tone would have been heavier.  For in the immediate aftermath of what transpired it was difficult to sense an …

I am putting this brief posting out as a preview of what we may see coming down the road in the next couple of days with regard to the Nachala Movement Project. The plans are in place – and they are extensive. Three temporary yeshuvim (settlements) are to be set …

Some of my readers are undoubtedly familiar with the following story of Menachem Begin, z”l. When a young senator from Delaware, slamming forcefully on the table in the course of a 1982 Senate hearing, told  him that aid to Israel would be cut if Israel persisted in building in Judaea …

That we are in for some tough times is a given. No, let me correct this.  We are IN tough times, but the situation is about to become far more problematic. And yet, if we look past the problems we find genuinely hopeful news:   Determined right wing activism of a …

Harebrained political notions are commonplace these days, and we cannot get the better of them if we don’t call them out directly.  The particular notion I wish to address here is a plan advanced by World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder. Ron Lauder, a billionaire, is not harebrained: I am …

There has been movement in the political scene here in Israel, and I will come to that shortly. But first I want to share some important insights with regard to the US abortion issue. Star Parker, a columnist and political activist, is the founder and president of CURE, the Center …

Next week will mark 21 years since my Aliyah, and I am forever filled with gratitude to be here (yes, even on the bad days).  That said, I remain an American as well: I pay taxes in the US and vote in US elections.  And I care deeply about what …

Sunday night I participated in a Webinar with Eve Harow for the One Israel Fund.  For those of you who might not have signed up, or who signed up but were not able to see it because of a Zoom glitch, I provide a link to it here: https://oneisraelfund.org/trips/guarding-israel-critical-juncture/ ~~~~~~~~~~ …

I begin with an announcement about a One Israel Fund Webinar in which I will be participating: In Conversation with Eve Harow (pictured), director of community development and tourism. “Guarding Israel at this Critical Juncture” Sunday, June 19, 10 AM eastern N. America time, 5 PM Israel time It is …

On Thursday, Times of Israel editor David Horowitz wrote: “Netanyahu and the right are about to regain power; they will hold it for a long time.”  (Emphasis added here and below) For which I say Thank Heaven. Continued Horowitz, “The final blow to the coalition could come from many directions, …

This is the political review I have been promising, dear readers – or at least the first installment.  As you read, below, you will be able to understand why I tabled this discussion time and again. It has been a balagan, a state of confusion, which rides on a tide …

After the high of Yom Yerushalayim, it’s important to sustain some of that positive feeling with good news items. And I will do that shortly.  But it’s a bit of a challenge, as there is much to deal with. I begin with comments that relate to the Flag Parade. We …

We, the Jewish People, are a miracle.  That we were dispersed from our Land 2,000 years ago and then returned is a one-time happening that defies all historical precedents and all logical understanding. That the Land has flourished when farmed by Jews, in a way that it simply does not …

As I sat down to write this posting, I felt overwhelmed by an awareness of how many significant problems we are facing at one time.  And yet, I was also in touch with a very promising perspective – the inspiration I refer to in the title of today’s posting.  We …

Next Sunday, May 29, is Yom Yerushalayim – a day that marks Israel’s liberation of eastern Jerusalem in 1967 and its subsequent formal reunification with western Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. It is over 3,000 years ago – which is way before Islam existed – that King David chose Jerusalem as …

“And This Is the Way WE Do It!! “A hero of Israel lived among us,” said Binyamin Regional Council head Yisrael Gantz, speaking at the funeral of Sgt. Maj. Noam Raz, who was badly wounded during anti-terrorism operations in Jenin last Friday, and died shortly thereafter. “We were privileged to …

I have found myself pondering this mystery a good deal lately: We Israelis are a good people.  I cited Alan Dershowitz in this regard recently: “No country in the history of the world ever contributed more to the welfare of humankind in such a short period of time than Israel.” …

Must? We must hold our heads up, mindful of who we are and standing forever strong. Before I consider some of the vile situations that prompted the title of this posting, I want to look at a bit of good news.  It reminds us that there is always hope for …