JBUZZ MUSINGS: ISRAEL/JEWISH CULTURAL BUZZ
JEWISH ACADEMIC & UNIVERSITY NEWS
- Judaism
- October 26, 2014
Posted by bonniekgoodman on October 26, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/jbuzz-musings-october-26-2014-women-of-the-walls-historic-torah-scroll-smuggling-reading-at-kotel-bat-mitzvah/
Source: PM.gc.ca, 9-24-14
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark Rosh Hashanah:
“This evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, which is the start of the Jewish New Year.
“Rosh Hashanah is an important time of celebration and personal reflection for people of the Jewish faith, during which families and friends gather together to count blessings, take stock of the present and look forward with hope to the year ahead.
“It is my sincere hope that Jews in Canada and around the world enjoy peace and prosperity in the coming year, especially those in Israel who endured conflict over the past few months.
“On this hopeful and joyous occasion, I would also like to pay tribute to the Jewish community in Canada for the immense contributions they continue to make to our society in all areas of endeavour.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Laureen and I wish everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah health, happiness, harmony and prosperity.
“L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu.”
– See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/09/24/statement-prime-minister-canada-rosh-hashanah#sthash.FCAv50DV.dpuf
Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 24, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/full-text-jbuzz-transcripts-september-24-2014-canadas-pm-stephen-harpers-statement-on-rosh-hashanah/
Source: Gov.uk, 9-23-14
The Prime Minister has recorded a message to mark Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The full message is as follows:
I want to send my best wishes to everyone in Britain and around the world marking Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
These High Holy Days give us a chance to look back – and to look forward. To look back at the immense contribution Jews make in Britain: excelling in every field, contributing in every community, and living by those values – of decency, tolerance, hard work and responsibility – that are so central to the Jewish faith and to British life.
And they give us a chance to look forward to a future free from conflict and prejudice. That means lasting peace in the Middle East – a future where families don’t live in fear of rocket attacks. And it means wiping out prejudice in this country, because we will not tolerate anti-Semitism in Britain. No disagreements on politics or policy can ever justify racism or extremism in any form. As long as I’m Prime Minister, we will do everything we can to tackle this, and to ensure we learn the lessons of the past, as the Holocaust Commission, led by Mick Davis, is doing so effectively.
Around the world, Britain stands for diversity and cohesiveness. When mosques came under attack, who helped defend them? British Jews. When a synagogue was under threat from closure, who helped save it? British Muslims. This says a lot about who we are in this country – and it’s something we can celebrate and build upon.
So as we look back and look ahead, let me wish everyone a happy New Year. G’mar Tov and Shanah Tovah.
חדשות
ראש הממשלה הבריטי בברכה לראש השנה
- English
- עברית
אני שולח את ברכותי לאלה המציינים את ראש השנה ויום כיפור, בבריטניה וברחבי העולם.
״הימים הקדושים הללו הם הזדמנות להסתכל על העבר, ולהביט קדימה. להסתכל לאחור על התרומה האדירה של היהודים בבריטניה: מצטיינים בכל תחום, תורמים בכל קהילה, וחיים על פי ערכי הגינות, סובלנות, עבודה קשה, ואחריות – ערכים כה מרכזיים באמונה היהודית ובחיים הבריטיים.
״הם גם מעניקים לנו הזדמנות להביט קדימה לעתיד חופשי מסכסוך ומדעה קדומה. כלומר שלום יציב במזרח התיכון – עתיד בו משפחות יחיו ללא איום של ירי רקטות. ומיגור דעות קדומות במדינה שלנו, מכיוון שלא נתיר אנטישמיות בבריטניה. חוסר הסכמה בנושאי פוליטיקה או מדיניות לעולם לא יצדיק גזענות וקיצוניות בשום צורה.
כל עוד אני ראש ממשלה, נעשה כל שביכולתנו להתמודד עם זה, ולהבטיח שלקחי העבר יילמדו, כפי שעושה ביעילות כה רבה, הוועדה לנושאי שואה בראשותו של מיק דיוויס.
“ברחבי העולם, בריטניה מייצגת גיוון ואחדות. כשמסגדים עמדו תחת מתקפה, מי הגן עליהם? היהודים בבריטניה. כשבית כנסת ניצב תחת איום סגירה, מי עזר להצילו? המוסלמים בבריטניה. זה מעיד על האופי של המדינה שלנו – וזה משהו שאנחנו יכולים לחגוג ולצמוח ממנו.
אז בעוד אנחנו מסתכלים אחורה ומביטים קדימה, אני רוצה לאחל לכולם שנה טובה וגמר חתימה טובה.”
Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 23, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/full-text-jbuzz-transcripts-september-23-2014-uk-pm-david-camerons-message-for-rosh-hashanah-and-yom-kippur-2014/
Together With Israel יחד עם ישראל
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Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 23, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/full-text-israel-political-brief-september-23-2014-pm-benjamin-netanyahus-rosh-hashana-greeting-to-jewish-communities-around-the-world-transcript/
Source: MFA, 9-23-14
MFASummaryNew
Message from the President of the State of Israel to the Jewish Communities of the Diaspora on the occasion of the New Year – Rosh Hashanah 5775
Brothers and sisters,
Leaders of the Jewish communities of the Diaspora and their friends,
According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah represents a time of personal, community and national soul-searching. In the shadow of the events of the past months, this year, here in Israel, these days of reflection are reaffirmed and take on a special meaning.
With the kidnapping and murder of the four teenagers: Naftali, Gilad, Eyal and Muhammad; and the ongoing campaign in southern Israel in the background, the citizens of Israel and their leaders were faced with difficult dilemmas: the responsibility to defend our homes and land, alongside the concern of harming innocent people; the commitment to enable a free democratic dialogue, versus the need to set clear limits to restrain manifestations of inflammatory behavior and incitement. Israel had to respond to the threats of terror organizations from the outside, while maintaining its image and values as a Jewish and democratic state that is committed to international law and is dedicated to providing all its citizens with equality and dignity, Arabs and Jews alike.
The resilience of Israel is not based on its military strength, but emanates from the liberal, democratic and Jewish values on which it was founded. Even at a time when Israel is required to mobilize its military front, it cannot ignore its home front and the surge of violent political manifestations of incitement and hate in its streets. Israel’s leadership and Israel’s society are judged not only by their military resiliency, but also by their civil resiliency, not only in normal times, but also in times of crisis.
In the course of Operation Protective Edge, I felt that Israel was not alone in the arena. Leaders of the free world and many of the members of the various Jewish movements and communities stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel, supporting its duty to defend its citizens and identifying with its efforts to restore peace to Israel’s southern communities.
On the threshold of the New Year, I want to thank you, leaders and members of the Jewish communities, for your support of Israel’s soldiers and its home front, and especially its southern communities. It is with much anticipation that I hope we shall continue to stand together in the face of the challenges awaiting the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora in the future, generated by a sense of mutual responsibility and partnership.
Dear Friends,
The coming year is marked by Jewish tradition as a shmita year, a sabbatical year for land and man. The observance of shmita serves to slow down the economic race and utilitarianism, and see in others, a human being. I pray that this year the gates of our hearts will open to let in compassion, generosity and mutual responsibility. May the coming year bring the sound of joy, a symphony of miscellaneous Jewish voices that will unite us all as a family, community and people.
כתיבה וחתימה טובה!
Shana Tova Ve’Metuka,
Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin
Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 23, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/full-text-israel-political-brief-september-23-2014-president-reuven-rivlins-rosh-hashanah-message-transcript/
Prime Minister Netanyahu upon receiving the prayer book: “It is a connection between our past and present and that is something of great value.”…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 18, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/jbuzz-news-september-19-2014-oldest-jewish-prayer-book-on-display-for-the-first-time-at-bible-lands-museum-jerusalem/
Source: AFP, 8-22-14
A Jewish school in Copenhagen had its windows smashed and anti-Jewish graffiti referring to the conflict in Gaza spray-painted on its walls, the school said on Friday….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 22, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/jbuzz-news-august-22-2014-jewish-school-in-copenhagen-vandalised/
Source: JTA, 8-22-14
Several colleges have pulled students out early from summer study-abroad programs in Israel and the West Bank due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 22, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/jbuzz-news-august-22-2014-colleges-truncate-programs-in-israel-west-bank-due-to-conflict/
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 20, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/jbuzz-news-august-21-2014-nyu-calls-off-fall-study-programs-in-israel-over-security-concerns/
Source: The Jewish Week, 6-24-14
“We are thrilled to welcome Senator Lieberman, whose public life and values serve as a model for our students, especially those who aspire to careers in public service while embracing Orthodox Judaism,” said Dr. Selma Botman, university provost…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on July 24, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/jbuzz-news-july-24-2014-former-senator-joe-lieberman-to-take-professor-post-at-yeshiva-university/
Source: Jerusalem Post, 4-27-14
Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is urging Canadians to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Holocaust in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, and “combat anti-Semitism in all its forms.”…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 27, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/full-text-jbuzz-transcripts-april-27-2014-canadian-pm-stephen-harpers-statement-on-the-holocaust-educate-and-remember/
The last time I visited Yad Vashem I accompanied the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people. We went through the exhibition rooms which present heartbreaking documentation of the destruction of European Jewry.
Today in my office, I met Fela, an 82 year old Holocaust survivor. It was important for her to tell me on this day of her memories as a child of seven who was forced to leave her two year old sister. Those memories are always with her. She told me, “I don’t remember what happened yesterday or the day before that, but as is the way of memories at my age, I remember the sad, tearful eyes of my two year old sister whom I left behind to die”.
I met Shalom, an 89 year old Holocaust survivor who told me how, aged 13, he left home at Mila 18 in the Warsaw Ghetto. Conditions in the ghetto were deteriorating. So he, a young boy, decided to leave. He said, “Mother objected and wailed but Father was quiet. He stood up, put his hands on my head, blessed me and told me to save myself”.
All the exhibition rooms here are filled with such heart-wrenching stories.
When we left Yad Vashem, I told the Prime Minister of Canada that my supreme duty as the Prime Minister of Israel is to ensure that there will be no more memorial sites like this, that there will never be another Holocaust.
I have said here many times that we must identify an existential threat in time and take action against it in time.
Tonight, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, I ask: Why, in the years preceding the Holocaust, did the overwhelming majority of world leaders and Jewish leaders fail to detect the danger in time?
In retrospect, all the warning signs were there: the strengthening of the Nazi regime year after year; the horrific anti-Semitic propaganda which grew stronger with each passing month; and the murderous attacks on Jews which began as spurts and became a giant wave.
In retrospect, a direct line connects the racial laws and the gas chambers.
Few world leaders, notably Churchill, understood the enormity of the threat to humanity posed by Nazism. Few among our leaders, primarily Jabotinsky, warned against the imminent destruction facing our people. But they were widely criticized, their warnings disregarded and dismissed as the rantings of doomsayers and warmongers.
How is it possible that so many people failed to understand reality? The bitter, tragic truth is this: It is not that they did not see. They did not want to see.
And why did they choose not to see the truth? Because they did not want to face the consequences of that truth.
During the 1930s, when the Nazis were gaining momentum, the trauma of the First World War was still fresh. Twenty years earlier, the people of the West experienced a terrible trench war, which claimed the lives of 16 million people. The leaders of the West therefore operated on the basis of one axiom: Avoid another confrontation at any cost. Thus they laid the ground for the most horrible war in history.
This axiom of avoiding conflict at any cost was adopted not only by the leaders. It was shared by the peoples themselves, and primarily by the educated elites.
In 1933, for example, the year Hitler rose to power, a meeting was held by the students of Oxford University, an institution which produced generations of British leaders. Following a heated debate, the students voted for a resolution stating that they “would under no circumstances fight for their King and Country”.
This resolution passed by an overwhelming majority a mere ten days after Hitler entered the Chancellor’s office in Germany. The message reverberated in Berlin.
This example illustrates the West’s feeble response to the rise of Nazism.
Month after month, year after year, more and more information was received in London, Paris and Washington about Nazi capabilities and intentions. The picture gradually became clear for everyone to see.
But they had eyes and could not see, they had ears but could not hear.
When you refuse to accept reality as it is, you can deny it.
This is precisely what the leaders of the West did. They dismissed the murderous Nazi rhetoric as internal German politics; they downplayed the seriousness of the danger of the Nazi military build-up, claiming that it was the result of the natural will of a proud nation that should be recognized and accepted.
The reality was clear, but it was enveloped in a bubble of illusions. This bubble burst when the Nazis launched their blitzkrieg on Europe and Africa.
The price of illusion and wishful thinking was very steep. By the time the leaders of the West finally acted, their peoples paid a terrible price. World War II claimed the lives not of 16 million people, the horrific number of victims during World War I, but of 60 million, including one third of our people, who were butchered by the Nazi beast.
Citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters,
Has the world learned the mistakes of the past?
Today we again face clear facts and a tangible threat. Iran calls for our destruction. It is developing nuclear weapons.
This is the reason it is building underground bunkers for enriching uranium. This is why it is constructing a heavy water facility to produce plutonium. This is the reason it continues to develop inter-continental ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads which will threaten the entire world.
Today, like then, there are those who dismiss Iran’s extreme rhetoric as serving domestic purposes. Today, like then, there are those who view Iran’s nuclear ambitions as the result of the natural will of a proud nation, a will that should be accepted.
And today, like then, those who make such claims are deluding themselves. They are making an historic mistake.
Fateful talks are currently being held between Iran and the world powers. This time too, the truth is evident to all: Iran seeks an agreement that will lift the sanctions and leave it as a nuclear threshold state with the capability to manufacture nuclear weapons within several months at most.
Iran wants a deal that will eliminate the sanctions and leave its capabilities intact.
A deal which enables Iran to be a nuclear threshold state will bring the entire world to the threshold of an abyss.
I hope that the lessons of the past have been learned, and that the desire to avoid confrontation at any cost will not lead to a deal that will exact a much heavier price in the future.
I call on the leaders of the world powers to insist that Iran fully dismantle its capacity to manufacture nuclear weapons, and to persist until this goal is achieved.
In any event, the people of Israel stand strong. Faced with an existential threat, our situation today is entirely different than it was during the Holocaust.
Today, we have a sovereign Jewish state. As Prime Minister of Israel, I do not hesitate to speak the truth to the world, even when faced with blind eyes and deaf ears. It is not only my right, it is my duty. I am always mindful of this duty, never more so than on this day, in this place.
On the eve of the Holocaust, some Jews avoided speaking out to the world’s nations, fearing that the struggle against Nazism would become “a Jewish problem”. Others believed that if they kept silent, the danger would pass.
They kept silent, and disaster struck.
Today, we are unafraid to speak the truth to world leaders. As is written in the Bible: “I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed… listen, for I will speak the truth.”
Unlike the Holocaust, when the Jewish people were like a wind-tossed leaf and utterly defenseless, we now have great power to defend ourselves, and it is ready for any mission.
This power rests on the courage and ingenuity of the soldiers of the IDF and the men and women of our security forces. It is this power that enabled us, against all odds, to build the State of Israel.
Look at the remarkable achievements we have made in the 66 years of our independence. All of us – scientists, writers, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, employees, artists, farmers – the entire people of Israel, each one in their own field – together we have built a glorious state. The spirit of the people of Israel is sublime, our accomplishments tremendous. Seven decades after the destruction of the Holocaust, the State of Israel is a wonder of the world.
On this day, on behalf of the Jewish people, I say to all those who sought to destroy us, and to all those who still seek to destroy us: You have failed, and you will fail again.
The State of Israel is stronger than ever. It is a state that seeks peace with all its neighbors and it pulsates with an iron will to ensure the future of our people.
“The people will arise like a lion cub and raise itself like a lion…and Judea will dwell securely”. (Numbers 23:24; Jeremiah 23:6).
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 27, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/full-text-jbuzz-transcripts-april-27-2014-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-speech-at-yad-vashem-on-yom-hashoah-holocaust-remembrance-day/
Source: Jewish Daily Forward, 3-7-14
The Jewish Agency for Israel has seen a spike in Ukrainians looking to immigrate to Israel as turmoil roils their country. Marina Steiman, a Jewish Agency official in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, declined to give numbers, but she said the agency….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 7, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/jbuzz-news-march-7-2014-ukrainian-jews-seek-to-emigrate-to-israel-amid-uncertainty/
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 10, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/jbuzz-musings-february-10-2014-kolech-orthodox-feminists-women-of-the-wall-break-over-egalitarian-prayer-space/
Source: Times of Israel, 1-21-13
UN body had faced storm of criticism for canceling ‘People, Book, Land: The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People to the Holy Land’ show under Arab pressure, claiming it could ‘endanger peace process’…READ MORE
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