Stormy Knesset summer session begins today

Despite national demonstrations for and against a controversial judicial overhaul, the government’s priority will switch to passing a state budget as the Israeli parliament’s summer session begins today. Read more

The Jerusalem rally was a reminder that democracy didn’t lose; the left did

Those of us who were among the hundreds of thousands of participants in the right-wing rally in Jerusalem on Thursday evening weren’t surprised when the “resistance” bloc pulled a two-fer: downplaying the significance of and attendance at the event, on the one hand; and treating the happening as evidence that Israeli democracy is in danger of annihilation at the hands of fanatics, on the other. Read more

‘Righteous justice’: Credit Suisse’s Nazi bank accounts

There are times when the oldest jokes sound quite fresh. I am thinking of the one about the neophyte banker who visits a tailor to be fitted with a new suit. When he returns a week later to collect it, he discovers to his surprise that the pants are without pockets. “You told me you were a banker,” explained the tailor. “Whoever heard of a banker with his hands in his own pockets?” Read more

Selling Kabul: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

We are in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2013, as the US troops are starting a major withdrawal from the country. Read more

ZFA welcomes Kol Ha’am – Voice of the People

President Isaac Herzog has announced a global consultation with world Jewry ahead of a landmark initiative to establish a worldwide Jewish advisory council under the Office of the President of the State of Israel. Read more

On the other hand

Despite all the doomsday commentators Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day), celebrating 75 years of re-established Jewish sovereignty, was a resounding success. Read more

New scholarships offered to Jewish women

JOFA Australia, the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, wants to expand spiritual, ritual and intellectual opportunities for women within the framework of halakha (Jewish law) by advocating meaningful participation for women in family life, synagogues, houses of learning and Jewish communal organisations to the fullest extent possible. Read more

L’Chaim to Life: Chris Cantor – Israel is an amazing and magical project

Morry Frenkel speaks with Chris Cantor, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Australia, about his role at the embassy, the collaborations between Israel and Colombia, and his view on Israel’s greatest achievements since the Declaration of Independence in 1948. Read more

South African Film Festival

The fifth annual South African Film Festival ANZ will be a hybrid festival and will take place from 4 May to 31 May 2023 in Sydney and Melbourne. Read more

Driftwood the Musical

 Driftwood The Musical tells the inspirational story of the renowned Austrian/Australian sculptor Karl Duldig and his artist-inventor wife, Slawa Horowitz-Duldig. Read more

Estimated 600,000 supporters of judicial reform gather outside Knesset

Two suspects were arrested on Thursday in Tel Aviv, as anti-government protesters attacked Israel’s economy minister Nir Barkat. Meanwhile, organisers estimated 600,000 advocates of judicial reform gathered in Jerusalem. Read more

The antisemitism that drives identity politics

A furore over a British Labour Party politician tells us a great deal about the tsunami of Jew-hatred rolling across Britain, America and the West. Read more

True West – a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

Cain and Abel – biblical brothers at loggerheads. Read more

Swastika drawn on school window

Visitors to a Melbourne school’s open day were confronted by a large swastika etched into a hallway window. Read more

75 not out

As we celebrate seventy-five years of re-established Jewish independence, I can’t help thinking is Israel still loved at 75? Read more

Israel at 75

I have recently read two great books. “Israel’s Declaration of Independence: The History and Political Theory of the Nation’s Founding Moment” by Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Ziegler (Cambridge University Press). Just published. And the 2019 “A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion” by Tom Segev (Picador). Read more

Former US television host Jerry Springer dies at 79

Jerry Springer, the one-time mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional guests willing to bare all – sometimes literally – as they brawled and hurled obscenities before a raucous audience, has died. Read more

An afternoon among the angels

The best time to visit Mount Herzl Military Cemetery on Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars) is in the afternoon. The morning rush has ended. The ceremonies are over. There are no jostling crowds craning their necks to see, no politicians, no photographers looking for the perfect picture to encapsulate the day. Read more

Harry Belafonte, grandson of Dutch Sephardic Jew, dies at age 96

Harry Belafonte, a singer and actor of Jewish descent who brought joy to millions over a long career and challenged Americans to address ongoing social challenges, died in his sleep from congestive heart failure on April 25. He was 96 years old. Read more

Michael Shafar – Well Worth the Chemo: as reviewed by Alex First

He’s such a naturally funny guy, quick-witted, endlessly talented and responsive. With his boyish charm and relaxed attitude, he welcomes audience interaction. Read more

Israeli population approaches 10 million on Independence Day

Israel’s population stands at 9.72 million, according to figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of Independence Day. Read more

Veterans of Israel’s War of Independence say the Holocaust was not why they fought

Many see the creation of the modern-day State of Israel as part of a historical narrative in which Israeli independence was a reaction to the Holocaust. Read more

Shabbat Acharei Mot & Kedoshim: Morality

For many of us reading the third Book of the Torah, Leviticus( Vayikra), is not a particularly inspiring or easy exercise. Read more

ASIO backs federal push to ban Nazi symbolism

Australia’s spy agency says a proposed bill outlawing Nazi symbols could help stop extremist radicalisation and recruitment. Read more

May 1 showdown threatens Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine & havoc

A showdown between Israel’s Government and High Court of Justice on 1 May concerning the demolition and evacuation of an illegal Bedouin encampment – Khan al-Ahmar – is threatening to shred the implementation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Palestine solution, cause an international uproar and create a humanitarian crisis in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza. Read more

Israel marks 75th Independence Day with flyover, barbecues

Israelis began celebrating Independence Day on Wednesday with trips to parks and the start of the annual Air Force flyover. Read more

Benjamin Netanyahu to families of IDF fallen: ‘I am one of you’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the state ceremony for Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars held at Israel’s Mt. Herzl national military cemetery in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Read more

On Israel’s 75th anniversary, President Herzog sends a message to the Jewish world

“We have the opportunity to pause and reflect with gratitude on the miracle that is our Jewish and democratic state.” VIDEO Read more

Sydney remembers its Jewish ANZACs

Sydney Jewish Community’s Annual Anzac Day Wreath Laying and Commemorative Service was held at the Sydney Jewish Museum with special guest Margaret Beazely, the Governor of New South Wales. Read more

Pre-sentence hearing set for ultra-Orthodox sex abuser

Former ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal and now convicted sex offender Malka Leifer will face a pre-sentence hearing in June. Read more

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