Amazon.com is selling T-shirts that say “Make Israel Palestine Again,” a not so subtle endorsement of ending the State of Israel.  The shirts are listed as “In Stock.  Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.”   This stands in contrast with some merchandise Amazon sells that comes from third-party sources. Similar …

MEDIA STATEMENT from the ECAJ – Executive Council of Australian Jewry regarding the interview  of Rev Dr Stephen Sizer on Radio National Breakfast on Good Friday, 30 March 2018. The ABC has written to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) apologising for inaccuracies and for the omission of material context …

Written by Peter Wertheim AM. co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Events at the Israel-Gaza security barrier on May 15 followed what has become an all too predictable pattern. Hamas starts a confrontation with Israel; Israel defends itself; the world condemns Israel. Why did Hamas start the confrontation …

Written by Dina Siegel Vann. Director, AJC Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs. I am writing to ask you to stand with the Jews of Chile, who are feeling increasingly unsafe. While Jews are being directly targeted, Chile’s entire democratic tradition is also coming under threat. Chile is home …

  Albert Einstein was initially opposed to the concept of Zionism, fearing it could stoke Jewish-Arab conflict, but with the rise of Nazism and the concomitant antisemitism he experienced in Europe, he became convinced of the need for a Jewish State as a haven from persecution. Einstein was at the California …

We all know it’s good to share, but how about sharing our prayer spaces, as an Australian church has done? A search for somewhere convenient for Friday prayers has led to an unusual joining of two communities. Every Friday, St Paul’s Anglican church in Beaconsfield hosts Muslim prayers in its …

This week’s Australian Jewish News reported there were plans for a new Jewish community in Melbourne: WITH soaring housing prices proving prohibitive for families in and around Caulfield, plans have been put forward for the establishment of a new Jewish community outside of Melbourne, with Pakenham emerging as a popular …

Bethlehem is holy to Christians, as it was in a manger in this city that a baby boy was born, after his parents were turned away from the inn because there was no room for them. So naturally a new hotel in Bethlehem assumes a special significance, reminding us of …

In the Australian Jewish News (6 January), Rabbi Stephen Boroda wrote an article  – “We must be the voice of the downtrodden”.  Quoting former Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks  “Those who hope refuse to be comforted while the hoped-for outcome is not yet reached. Given their history of suffering, Jews …

Obama’s parting shot to Israel comes as no surprise to those who have followed his actions the last 8 years, including his closeness to the Muslim Brotherhood and those of the Alt Left with an animus towards Israel. However, for others who assumed a US President would support democracy and …

Well, it’s that time of year again, when people indulge in a riot of shopping and stock up on food and drink. Yes, the Festive Season is in full swing, and this year Chanukah and Christmas coincide, so Jews will be joining the shopping frenzy. I love the Christmas season, …

Temple Beth Israel is putting on a concert featuring David Broza: Israeli superstar David Broza has been considered one of the most dynamic and vibrant performers in the singer/songwriter world. His charismatic and energetic performances have brought to worldwide audiences, a fusion of three different countries in which he was …

Should Jews share their Sacred Spaces? At first glance, the answer seems obvious, as shuls are specifically for Jewish prayer. But let’s not forget we are living in Australia, where interfaith harmony and multiculturalism are the order of the day. Jews traditionally have been reluctant to share their places of …

In view of the invitation to Pauline Hanson to join the panel, this week’s Q & A was predictably characterized by vilification and mockery of the Queensland Senator-elect.  The other panellists included Sam Dastyari, Labor Senator for NSW;  Larissa Waters, Queensland Greens Senator and Nick Xenophon, NXT Senator for South …

One of Judaism’s defining characteristics is Chesed – compassion – which is why traditionally Jews have been involved in philanthropic endeavours throughout the ages. “Chesed is a Hebrew word commonly translated as “loving-kindness,” “kindness” or “love.” Chesed is central to Jewish ethics and Jewish theology and is a common term …

One of the many antisemitic smears Jews have suffered throughout the ages is that they have a dual loyalty, so can never be patriotic citizens of the country they are living in. In the Jerusalem Post, GABRIEL SASSOON writes We ought not alter our behavior based on the totally illegitimate …

Intrinsic to Judaism is the belief that everyone is made in G-d’s image and therefore we must treat all with humanity. This has been reinforced throughout the ages, as this Talmudic tale attests: Once there was a gentile who came before Shammai, and said to him: “Convert me on the …

It was reported that Iceland’s city of Reykjavík has decided to ban Israeli products: Reykjavík will no longer purchase goods made in Israel. The City Council voted that the city would not purchase any goods manufactured in Israel as long as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continues. The motion …

Oxfam is a household name which claims to be committed to ending poverty worldwide.  Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries. One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that …

Street artist Banksy has opened an anti-theme park named Dismaland in the UK. CNN reported: The seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in south-west England is gray and gloomy when we arrive. “Welcome to Dismaland,” a dead-eyed girl in Mickey Mouse ears greets us at the gates of the old public pool. …