Were the Sephardi Jews of Amsterdam or the Jews of the German Enlightenment the first sign of the phenomenon of Jewish modernization? The members of the Portuguese (i.e., Sephardi) nation in Amsterdam claimed that they lived – or at least aspired to live – according to the principal they called “bom judesmo” (“good and beautiful […]

For 1,500 years, from the era of Alexander the Great to the late 13th century, a high Mesopotamian priest in Babylon ruled as the supreme leader of Eastern Jewry. Known as the Exilarch, he settled all disputes brought before him by Jews living as far away as India and Spain. His authority ended only when […]

The Etzion Bloc Biblical and Modern Day History The Etzion Bloc, or Gush Etzion as it is known in Hebrew, is located on the “Path of the Patriarchs,” in the heart of the historic homeland of the Jewish people. Nestling in the Judean Hills, the Etzion Bloc is situated on the ancient mountain route, midway […]

Talk and writing about Israel and the Middle East feature the nouns “Palestine” and Palestinian”, and the phrases “Palestinian territory” and even “Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory”. All too often, these terms are used with regard to their historical or geographical meaning, so that the usage creates illusions rather than clarifies reality. What Does “Palestine” Mean? It […]

Bob Hope`s 100th birthday has been the occasion for an outpouring of heartfelt tributes to one of America`s greatest comedians. Among his many achievements, Hope is perhaps best known as the premier entertainer of America`s troops, particularly during the Vietnam War. What is not well known about Bob Hope is that he also rose to […]

Israeli commandos have rescued 100 hostages, mostly Israelis or Jews, held by pro-Palestinian hijackers at Entebbe airport in Uganda. At about 0100 local time (2200GMT), Ugandan soldiers and the hijackers were taken completely by surprise when three Hercules transport planes landed after a 2,500-mile trip from Israel. About 200 elite troops ran out and stormed […]

What Is The Heartland Of Israel? Many have heard the expression “the heartland of Israel” in reference to Judea and Samaria, and Gaza (Yesha). What many people do not realize is that this refers to the fact that key Biblical and historical events took place largely in this area of Israel. Everyone has heard of […]

On 21 December 1997, just four days before Christmas, Muslim zealots fenced in the area at the foot of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, declared it waqf land (a Muslim holy endowment), erected a large tent as a provisional mosque, and demanded the construction of a permanent mosque with a towering 86-meter minaret. […]

(JERUSALEM) – Yom HaShoah in Israel begins the evening of April 28 and continues throughout the day April 29th. The central theme of Yom HaShoah 2003 is “Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust – 60 Years Since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.” In keeping with this theme, and in addition to a section on Holocaust Rememberance Day, […]

Over the past two millennia Jews have visited Jerusalem in honor of the festivals in lieu of the biblically ordained pilgrimages. On the holiday of Shavuot, there was also the custom of visiting the grave of King David on Mount Zion, since according to Jewish tradition the day of his birth and the day of […]