JERUSALEM (JTA) — “The state of Israel will never surrender to hatred,” Benny Gantz told tens of thousands of Israelis who gathered to remember murdered prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. “The children of Israel will no longer grow up in a state some of whose leaders sanctify hatred,” Gantz also… Read more »
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Man tries to break into French Jewish school while shouting anti-Semitic slurs
(JTA) — A man who tried to break into a Jewish school in southern France while shouting insults about Jews was prevented from entering by the guard and arrested after fleeing the scene. In the incident Tuesday at the Or Torah school in Nice, the man had come intimidate… Read more »
Jewish astronaut Jessica Meir posted photos of Israel that she took from space
(JTA) — Jewish astronaut Jessica Meir posted photos of Israel that she took from space. “My father’s globe spanning journey as a surgeon from the Middle East, to Europe, and eventually to the U.S. was an inspiration to many in my immediate and extended family. #TheJourney,” Meir tweeted on… Read more »
Rocket fired from Gaza hits home in Sderot; Israel responds with air strikes on Hamas targets
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hamas is responsible for every attack originating from Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, following rocket attacks from the coastal strip that scored a direct hit on a home in southern Israel. “Immediately after the firing at the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, I convened… Read more »
Meet University of Arizona Arthritis Center researchers
“Conquering Arthritis … Meet the University of Arizona Arthritis Center Researchers” will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6-7:15 p.m., at the Health Sciences Innovation Building on the UA Health Science campus, 1670 E. Drachman St., Tucson. This event features a look into the future of care, prevention, and ultimately… Read more »
Macron and French Jews open $17 million community center in Paris as ‘resistance’ to anti-Semitism
(JTA) — French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders of the country’s Jewish community inaugurated a $17 million Jewish community center in Paris that has been in the works for 20 years. The European Center for Judaism was opened on Tuesday, “amid painful times of terrorism and anti-Semitism,” said Joel… Read more »
As an Israeli journalist in Germany, I wasn’t surprised by the Halle synagogue shooting
COLOGNE, Germany (JTA) — When the breaking news from Halle started to pour in on Oct. 9, the Jewish community around the world was still in the midst of commemorating the holiest day of the year in Judaism, Yom Kippur. Equipped with a rifle, ammunition and other military gear, the… Read more »
After the High Holy Days, what is our focus?
Finish the sentence: “If not now, _____” I would venture to guess that most of us would immediately call to mind the famous passage attributed to Hillel the Elder (Pirkei Avot 1:14): If I am not for myself, who is for me? When I am for myself, what am… Read more »
Award-winner set for UA stage next month
The year is 1939 and while Hitler is invading Poland, Atlanta’s close-knit Jewish community is preparing for Ballyhoo, the social event of the year. The Arizona Repertory Theatre of the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts School of Theatre, Film & Television will present Alfred Uhry’s “The Last… Read more »
New program offers degrees in Israel
The Council for Higher Education in Israel recently launched the national initiative “Study in Israel” to double the number of international students enrolled in Israeli colleges and universities, initially targeting students in North America, China, and India. There are currently about 12,000 international students studying in Israel. “Study in… Read more »
AMA taskforce issues roadmap to combat opioid abuse, addiction, death
As America’s opioid epidemic continues to impact communities large and small, new trends are raising new challenges for doctors and policymakers. While opioid-related overdose remains a top concern, the epidemic now is driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from… Read more »
Berlin and balalaika on tap at the J
Two Celebration of Heritage concerts will take center stage at the Tucson Jewish Community Center in the coming months. Robin Bessier’s band returns to the J on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. with the next concert in the Jewish Jazz Connection series, “The Life and Music of Irving… Read more »
At least 12 white supremacists have been arrested for real threats to Jewish community since Pittsburgh attack, ADL reports
(JTA) — At least 12 white supremacists have been arrested for allegedly attacking, planning attacks against or threatening the Jewish community in the year since the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh, the Anti-Defamation League said in a new report. Since Oct. 27, 2018, white… Read more »
Gal Gadot to star in film about Polish heroine Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Nazis
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli actress Gal Gadot will star as Polish heroine Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Nazis, in a film produced by the actress and her husband. Gadot and her husband Yaron Varsano have formed the production company Pilot Wave. Gadot will star as… Read more »
Netanyahu requests pardon from Putin for Israeli-American woman jailed in Russia
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent an official request to Russian President Vladimir Putin to pardon an Israeli-American woman sentenced in Russia to 7 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of smuggling marijuana into the country. The request submitted on Sunday to pardon Naama Issachar, 26,… Read more »
University of Illinois chancellor says presentation to residence-hall advisors was anti-Semitic
(JTA) — The chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is under fire for saying that a presentation to residence-hall advisors on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians was anti-Semitic. The presentation, called “Palestine & Great Return March: Palestinian Resistance to 70 Years of Israeli Terror,” prepared… Read more »
Thousands march in Berlin against anti-Semitism
(JTA) — More than 10,000 people marched in Berlin against anti-Semitism and in a show of support for the victims of anti-Semitic violence in the city of Halle. The march on Sunday left from Bebelplatz, significant as a site of Nazi book-burning, to the New Synagogue in central Berlin.… Read more »
‘Next Step’ campaign to bring sustainability for JFSA’s Olson Center in Northwest
The Northwest Division of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona has launched a special campaign called “The Next Step” to support its expansion to larger premises and operation of The Ruth & Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life. The center’s new facility now in use at 180 W. Magee… Read more »
105th birthday plans in works for local woman
If you are a Tucson Hebrew Academy student, you have probably met, or at least heard of, Gertrude Shankman, a resident at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging. THA students have been celebrating Shankman’s birthday every year since she turned 100. On Oct. 26, Shankman will turn 105. “It… Read more »
Group to support domestic violence survivors
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona is initiating a free support group for Jewish women of all ages who have been impacted by domestic violence. The LEAH (Let’s End Abusive Households) Support Group represents a safe environment for healing and support. Group activities may help in anxiety… Read more »