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San
Diego Jewish World
ten-year agreement that will give Israel the increased assistance it requires to meet the new threats and challenges it faces.” The preceding article was provided by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
How they voted on the Foreign Aid Bill
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House again passes bill to
cut off 'aid' to Saudi Arabia Each of the past three years, Rep. Weiner has introduced and passed legislation in the House of Representatives banning U.S. aid to Saudi Arabia, only to see the Bush Administration use a waiver provision in the bill or loophole in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to send even more aid to the Saudi Arabian government, $2.53 million over fiscal years 2005 and 2006. The Section 571 loophole in the Foreign Assistance Act allows the President to send as much anti-terror funding as he wants—without issuing a public certification—-as long as it is used to “deter terrorism.” The Weiner-Crowley amendment would close that loophole for good by adding a clause to trump the Foreign Assistance Act, making the ban no longer subject to the section 571 loophole.
Saudi
Arabian Government Is Undermining The War In UNITED NATIONS (Press Release) – The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today expressed concern over a threatened boycott of Israeli academic institutions by the British University and College Union, stressing that opportunities for peace and dialogue must be seized especially in conflict situations. “Academics are responsible for gathering, processing and distributing information, which are tasks necessary for building stable, prosperous and democratic societies,” said UNESCO’s Director-General Koďchiro Matsuura. “We need to preserve the universality of research, exchange and learning, and support all joint academic activities that foster the sharing of experiences and expertise.” Academic work and institutions are centered on the free flow of ideas and knowledge, which is the core of all intellectual activity, he added. The request for the boycott is current being circulated to all local Union branches for discussion. “If we are serious about the need to promote sustained peace, democracy and development, I believe that we have the moral responsibility to share knowledge and promote understanding,” said the UNESCO chief, noting that cooperation among the world’s university is a necessity, not a luxury. “We must therefore continue to support all efforts within civil societies to nurture contacts in the spirit of respect and mutual understanding which characterize peaceful relations.” The preceding story was
provided by the United Nations
ADL urges
UN, NGOs to seek release of 3 Israeli prisoners NEW YORK (Press Release)—On the one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on human rights groups, the United Nations and the international community to speak out and demand his freedom, as well as that of two Israeli soldiers held captive by Hezbollah in Lebanon. On June 25, 2006, Gilad Shalit, 20, was kidnapped by Hamas in an attack on a military installation on Israeli soil. Shalit remains in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Israel Defense Forces reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, kidnapped in a raid on Israel's northern border and taken into Lebanese territory by Hezbollah on July 12, 2006, also remain in captivity, their whereabouts and conditions unknown. "The continued captivity of these young men after one year with no word as to their fate is unacceptable and a clear violation of international protocol," said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair and Abraham H. Foxman, National Director. "The international community must demand their immediate and unconditional release." In letters to the directors of Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Human Rights First, ADL called on those groups to speak out and demand the release of the soldiers one year after their capture. The League thanked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his previously speaking out on the issue and for meeting with families of the kidnapped soldiers. On the anniversary of Shalit's capture, Lewy and Foxman urged Ban to "reinvigorate efforts" to demand the soldiers' release. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which set the terms of an Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire in August 2006, calls for the "unconditional release" of the soldiers. The captors of Goldwasser and Regev have refused to provide any information to international relief agencies regarding their whereabouts or condition. Hezbollah and Hamas have also denied requests by the International Red Cross for access to the captives.
The preceding story was provided by the Anti-Defamation League
Differences between being 'planter' and 'planted' Today the word ‘nursery’ has an entirely different connotation for me. It is the place where I go about once a month to stock up on plants for my garden. I’m obviously not blessed with green fingers, otherwise I wouldn’t have to go so often. But I’m loth to entrust the care of my small plot of land to anyone else, however professional and proficient. I prefer the trial and error method of gardening, hence the high plant turnover. And the joy I experience when plants succeed far outweighs any pangs of chagrin when they fail. Perhaps it’s my love of nurseries that gives me my philosophic take on the life of plants. Although I’m not exactly jubilant when a plant dies, I’m glad of the opportunity to pay a visit to that other eden down the road where bright petunias jostle one another, fuchsia plants flaunt their drooping, radiant flowers and even humble geraniums seem exotic. I don’t seem to be alone in this, and can see that many of the other customers are regulars, too. A small confession: my pride and joy was my hydrangea, which survived the harsh Jerusalem winter in a sheltered corner and produced ten reddish-pink blooms all at once. Now that I’ve seen the ones in the nursery, however, I know that my blooms should be bigger and brighter. I’ll have to do better next year.
The
foregoing article was reprinted from the AJR Journal (Association of
Jewish Refugees) in England.
By Steve Rabin National Jewish Democratic Council WASHINGTON – In a stunning act of political hypocrisy, 164 House Republicans – at the urging of their party leadership – voted against the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill early this morning, traditionally a top priority of the pro-Israel community. The legislation, which passed by a margin of 241-178, contained $2.4 billion in aid to Israel. Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) strongly condemned the House Republican leadership for urging Republicans to oppose the bill. In a letter sent by the Republican leadership to their Members, Republicans were told: “Please advise your boss that Leadership will be voting NO on final passage of the Democrats' State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, and strongly encourage Republican Members to do the same.” [emphasis added] “After all their rhetoric about supporting Israel, Republicans yesterday placed politics above the U.S.-Israel relationship. By claiming to support Israel from one corner of their mouths, while telling Members to vote against billions in aid from the other corner, the Republican leaders have engaged in a sad, cynical act of political hypocrisy,” said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. “For years, support for the foreign aid bill has been a top priority of the pro-Israel community. This vote was a real blow to the bipartisan consensus that we’ve worked so hard to develop on Israel.” The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) writes that “by approving the foreign aid bill annually, and earmarking the critical funds for Israel, Congress reaffirms the strength and vitality of the U.S.–Israel relationship, boosts the American economy and helps to fulfill our nation’s foreign policy objectives in the Middle East.” [AIPAC Issue Brief, “Aid to Israel,” 1/19/07] The GOP leadership’s actions could signal a disturbing return to the days when Congressional Republicans demagogued the foreign aid issue with isolationist rhetoric that sometimes bordered on xenophobia. After September 11, isolationism gave way to internationalism and foreign aid began to enjoy bipartisan support. This latest move by the House GOP calls into question the new ideological direction the party has undertaken. While the GOP leaders continue to “claim” support for aid to Israel, their opposition to the entire foreign aid bill has clearly put Israel’s funds in jeopardy. “I sincerely hope the GOP leadership does not intend to return to the ‘world-is-flat’ days when Republicans routinely demogogued the foreign aid issue to score political points,” continued Forman. “Make no mistake, if our entire foreign aid package becomes victim of partisan football, it will put funds for Israel in jeopardy. The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill contains more funding for Israel than any other country. Aid to Israel accounts for nearly 50% of all military aid in the bill. [CQ House Action Report, 6/19/07] The bill also contained strong language condemning the Arab League for its boycott of Israel, calling it an “impediment to peace in the region and to United States investment and trade in the Middle East and North Africa,” demanding that “all Arab League states should normalize relations with their neighbor Israel” and calling on the Bush Administration to “report to Congress annually on specific steps being taken by the United States to encourage Arab League states to normalize their relations with Israel to bring about the termination of the Arab League boycott of Israel …” [HR 2764] The vote was roll call #542.
“Aid to Israel has long been a cornerstone of
U.S. foreign policy. It is a cost-effective way of serving America’s national
security interests in the Middle East, bolstering a reliable U.S. ally in a
volatile and critically important region,” writes AIPAC. [AIPAC
Memo, 3/11/07]
Date: June 22, 2007 QUESTION: Sean, Monday, President Mubarak of Egypt has invited virtually the whole problems of both Gaza and West Bank; he's invited President Abbas, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, King Abdallah of Jordan. Are you going to also be monitoring what is going to go on at that conference? MR. MCCORMACK: Of course, yeah. Of course we're going to talk to the participants afterwards. I can't tell you that we're going to have anybody at the meeting. I'm not sure we should be at the meeting. It's -- we don't need to be at every meeting in the Middle East and that's a healthy thing. We encourage the parties in the region, the Palestinians, the Israelis, and larger groups to get together to work on problem-solving and they can also look forward a little bit to the wider strategic horizon and how to move the process forward. QUESTION: Now have you also asked, would the Egyptians ask others such as the Saudis, the Emirates, and other moderate Arab states to come to that conference to -- MR. MCCORMACK: It's up to them, Joel. QUESTION: It's up to -- MR. MCCORMACK: It's really -- it's really up to them. They're the hosts.
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CYBER-REFERRALS—Israel's Consulate-General forwards the video below promoting
tourism to Israel. It's not "dangerous" in the way some people imagine!
Shalom,
Israel! There Went SSDHDS 8th-graders!
Mikvah near Ha Kotel
Tuesday, JUne 19 Boys and girls went to seperate beaches, ours of course being filled with religious women of both Jewish and Muslim denominations. (We’re talking religious here). We walked into the beach expecting modest women who wished to take a dip in a modest way. but EW! there were women topless, who SHOULD NOT have been that way. Hilda said she felt like she was in a slum. i kind of agree. I love you Mommy, Daddy, and Kelilah! I can’t wait to see you in two-ish days Love, Hannah
Yad Vashem, showing one of the darkest, most horrific points in Jewish History, filled with cruelty and terror and yet highlighting the the permanence and specialness of the Jewish people still here today, in spite of it. Then, Machon Ayalon bullet factory where completely dedicated and brave Jewish individuals defied the law to help secure a Jewish state and homeland, now that the world realized the Jews needed a place where they could always go. This, directly a result of the Holocaust. Third, Sherri Mandell speaking about her son being brutally killed by a terrorist focused on some of the serious problems with Israel today and
Finally, davening at the Kotel during sunrise. The complete epitome of Jewish
past, present and future. Past being that it is the remnant of our Beit
Hamikdash, enduring from then all the way until now; enduring all the other
hardships of our history. Present, in that thousands of Jewish people of all
types daven and visit there every single day. And of course future, in the way
that we will some day again have a Beit Hamikdash and countless people are
davening there for the ultimate future, the final coming of Moshiach, which
should come speedily in our days. Truly an amazing way to spend our last day in
Israel (you’ve never heard something remotely like that, I swear). All that’s
left now is some dinner and then the flight which hopefully will also pass
speedily. -Alexi :)
__________________________ The Russian veteran at the Jewish inn SAN DIEGO—"Listen now, O Rebels..." (Num 20:10) Moshe was punished for referring to the Children of Israel as Rebels. Even though they were rebelling at the time, they should not have been perceived as rebels. The Torah expects us to love each other, see the good in each other and perceive each other as good. We must see and understand things from the other person's point of view as the following true story, heard from Rabbi Shimon Zehnwirth, illustrates: Once, a burly, gruff looking, man who had served in the Russian army, entered a Jewish inn and ordered a meal. When Jewish boys were drafted, it was usually the end of yiddishkeit for them. The army brainwashed them to worship Mother Russia rather than G-d. He plopped himself down and ate in a most disgusting manner - stuffing an entire chicken down his mouth. It was revolting that this man, a Jew, could conduct himself in so repulsive a manner, not to mention the fact that he did not recite a bracha (blessing) or wear a yarmulke (ritual skullcap) while he ate. The innkeeper and the others present were sickened and embarrassed by this display; though none dared say anything. The Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan) happened to be a guest at that inn. He saw the young man and slowly approached him. Everyone wondered, what would the Chofetz Chaim possibly say to this man. What could he say? Surely this oaf would not listen to any rebuke, even from such a holy man. The Choftez Chaim asked the man, "Is it true that you served in the Russian army?" "Yes," snorted the man, bracing his defenses for the oncoming tongue-lashing he was fully expecting. "Tell me," began the Chofetz Chaim, "How did you manage to keep your Jewish identity in those circumstances? So many Jewish boys entered the army, only to eventually give up their Judaism. They are forced to serve for 25 years without any kosher food, Jewish holidays, or any other vestige of Judaism. Yet, when you could have easily gone to any inn, you chose a Jewish one. You still identify as a Jew. I don't know if I could have done what you did. You are an inspiration. Where did you find the strength?" The soldier, caught off guard and clearly moved, looked straight at the Chofetz Chaim, "It was so hard, they did everything to pound it out of us - to make us denounce and forget that we were Jews." "It is a miracle that you made it through. Now you can begin to learn the Torah and mitzvos that you were deprived of all these years." "But Rebbi, how can I possibly do that," the soldier, now sobbing bitterly, responded. He continued through his tears, "I want to return to my heritage, but I am so far removed. Surely it isn't possible for someone like me to learn." "No," said the Chofetz Chaim, "It is still possible. It is always possible. I can show you how." As the soldier spoke to the Chofetz Chaim, the stones on his heart began to melt. Had the Chofetz Chaim not understood and appreciated this man's perspective, this amazing episode never would have occurred. What did happen was: from that day on, the former soldier began a path to repentance and as the years went by, developed into an observant, well-learned Jew. Dedicated by Michael & Rivka Spiegel in honor of their children, and by Linda Cohen in memory of her parents Albert & Julia Cohen.
A nostalgic visit for baseball's youngest general manager BASEBALL JEWS—Stories, columns and charts from the San Diego Union-Tribune provided this information for our linking service concerning the activities and performances of Jews in major league baseball: Theo Epstein, who holds the distinction of being the youngest general manager in baseball history, flew with other Boston Red Sox executives to San Diego to watch a series with the Padres. One reason: Epstein, a University of San Diego law school graduate, learned the baseball business in San Diego. Another: the two teams are leading their divisions in their respective leagues, and the game could be a harbinger of things to come. The story is by Chris Jenkins ... Baseball commissioner Bud Selig's ultimatum to agree by yesterday to meet with steroids investigator George Mitchell, the former U.S. Senate majority leader, was complied with. Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees announced the meeting would take place soon...Jason Kinsler went hitless, but he scored one run after being walked, helping the Texas Rangers to a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Saudi Arabia...
“The U.S. Congress
must continue to make clear to
“While
Each of the last
three years, President Bush has signed into law Weiner’s legislation banning aid
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Jews
in the News
Upcoming
Mideast Summit
Not
enough time to blog during a very busy day visiting Hebron, Gush Etzion, the
Kotel tunnel tour, the Kotel Archeological Museum, Machane Yehuda, and Ben
Yehuda Street. We’ll try to blog on the bus tomorrow, but I probably won’t be
able to upload the website until Tuesday, unless there is internet access at the
Bedouin tents (which I doubt). In the meantime, enjoy todays pictures, and have
a happy Father’s Day! —
At
this very moment we are coming from the Menachem Begin Museum, on our way to Bet
Guvirin for an archaeological dig. Though the museum was very well-done, replete
with flashing lights, movies, and, of course, information, I’d like to backtrack
a little bit and comment on yesterday. Yesterday, as probably mentioned earlier,
we visited the holy city of Hevron and davened at the M’arat Ha’machpeila where
the patriarchs and matriarchs are buried. There, as we were leaving we passed a
Hi
guys! guess what? i finally floated in water! I’ve never been able to do that
before! when i got into the water at the Dead Sea i immediately felt the
itchyness of the salt. then as i got deeper and put my hands in the water i felt
how the water felt like oil. it reminded me of the oil we get on our hands when
we make matzoh balls! after like a minute i got too itchy and got out to go
shower. i had to rinse my legs a bunch of times just to get the film of salt off
of my legs.
This
morning started off a little hectic, waking up around 4:30 in order to get to
the Kotel in time for sunrise. I believe we missed it by a little bit but it was
of course, still beautiful and as a plus, much less crowded than Friday night.
Afterwards we were hustled back to the hotel to load the bus with our baggage,
eat a hasty breakfast, and then we listened to Sherri Mandell, author of
Blessings of a Broken Heart. Truly an amazing person - read her book or see the
play this January at the Rep in San Diego (I’m 
