Leifer allegations aired in closed court
Former school principal Malka Leifer, who was extradited from Israel to face child sexual abuse charges, has heard evidence from her accusers in the second day of closed court hearings. Read more
Israel Police chief urges caution in face of remaining two ‘desperate’ terrorist fugitives
Five days into a national hunt for six Palestinian security prisoners who escaped from a jail in northern Israel, police captured two of the fugitives—Yaqoub Qadri and Mahmoud Ardah—in Nazareth on Friday night. Read more
Lior Raz on new show shot in Brooklyn, remembering 9/11 and being called sexy
Being an international action star might be enough for some, but not for Lior Raz…writes Alan Zeitlin. Read more
After 80 years, correct headstone to be erected on WWII grave of 15-year-old Jew
In early 1940, thirteen-year-old Jacob Sorsky ran away to sea and joined the Merchant Navy, keen to fight the Nazis. Just two years later he was killed – the second-youngest soldier to die whilst serving in the Australian Army in WWII – and then buried in an unknown grave, on the other side of the world from his family. Read more
The Taliban’s Palestinian partners: Implications for the Middle East peace process
The Taliban’s reconquest of Afghanistan, followed by the ISIS-K bombing that killed 13 U.S. military personnel and scores of civilians, underscores the far-reaching implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the country. The mujahideen’s takeover of Kabul, following a 20-year U.S. counter-terror campaign against Al-Qaeda and other jihadi groups in Afghanistan, has reenergized the global jihad’s slow and determined war against the West…write…Dan Diker and Khaled Abu Toameh. Read more
New president for the JCCWA
A well-attended Jewish Community Council of Western Australia AGM last week saw significant changes to the Executive. Read more
Podcast: Morry Frenkel talks with Senator Sarah Henderson on the Burnside fallout, rising antisemitism and the ABC
L’Chaim -To Life has focused once again on the world’s oldest hatred: antisemitism. Morry Frenkel interviews Senator Sarah Henderson (Liberal Victoria) on the fallout from the Burnside Nazi Israel tweet, the National socialist Network, the ABC, and online antisemitism. Read more
Why Israel’s Kashrut Reform Bill matters for the Diaspora
In mid-July, Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs proposed a bill that would introduce a reform to the country’s kashrut industry…writes Rabbi David Stav. Read more
BBYO: up and coming youth organisation
As a new youth organization, only recently restarting in Sydney, BBYO NSW is moving in the right direction and becoming an “up and coming” youth organisation in Sydney. Read more
‘Thrill of victory and agony of defeat’? Paralympic athletes are already winners, say Israelis
Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and the sports world, meet Pascale Bercovitch, Shraga Weinberg, Moran Samuel and Doron Shaziri…writes Howard Blas. Read more
Israel looks to iconic Australian Surf Life Saving model as drowning prevention solution
The iconic Australian Surf Life Saving model made history when it was presented by Paul Hakim, a member of Sydney’s Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, to the Israel Knesset Parliamentary Committee for Interior Affairs and Environmental Protection…reports Sarah Vanunu. Read more
Two decades after Sbarro suicide bombing, survivors’ scars are still healing
Twenty years ago, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the Sbarro restaurant at the corner of King George Street and Jaffa Road in the centre of Jerusalem…writes Sharon Altshul. Read more
‘Fauda’ star has another smash hit on Netflix with ‘Hit & Run’
Revenge is a dish best served Israeli. Read more
Remembering Lilly
This is a really sad day for us who have been working with Lilly for a very long time – she was a such strong person – you were never unsure of whose presence you were in when you were with Lilly…writes Valerie Rubel. Read more
Me and Jackie
I only met Jackie Mason once. Read more
Elon Gold dishes on Jackie Mason, COVID-19 and why Jews are so nervous
Elon Gold, known as one of the best living Jewish comedians, spoke with great reverence of a Jewish comedy legend who died on July 24 at the age of 93…write Alan Zeitlin. Read more
Film about Israeli lawyer who advocates for terrorists gets double Emmy nod
A controversial Israeli documentary about an Israeli attorney who represents terrorists received a double Emmy nomination on Wednesday. Read more
International lawmakers lay out roadmap to tackle antisemitism online
Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Anti-Semitism released an interim report on Wednesday highlighting ideas to battle anti-Jewish hate online. Read more
Shabbat Matot Masei
The Book of Numbers draws to a close with themes of tribes, journeys, and possessions, with the fight for survival, cities of refuge and vows, thrown in for good measure. Read more
Israeli President Isaac Herzog carries on a family tradition
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s path was paved by the generations that came before him…writes Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau. Read more
Tzvi Ainsworth, 68, and Itty Ainsworth, 66: Devoted parents and Chabad community pillars
Modest and dignified, Tzvi and Itty Ainsworth were beloved by all who knew them and were noted for their generous hospitality and devotion towards helping others in need. Read more
Miriam Adelson donates 150 lifesaving ‘ambucycles’ to United Hatzalah
Passersby were treated to a striking sight outside Jerusalem’s City Hall this week when one-hundred and fifty bright orange “ambucycles” – motorcycles and scooters equipped with life-saving medical equipment – were lined in neat rows at Safra Square. Read more
Israelis fight despair while aiding survivors, rescuers in Florida calamity
“I saw in the news that you were coming from Israel for us, and I was waiting for you,” says a tearful young woman in Surfside, Florida, to members of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit (PCRU) from United Hatzalah of Israel…writes Abigail Klein Leichman. Read more
Indigenous Friends of Israel disagree with QLD Labor
Recently Queensland Labor voted on a resolution accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing, but Indigenous voices don’t agree. Read more
Nine ‘firsts’ you should know about Israel’s new government
For the first time in 12 years, Israel’s Likud Party and its head, Benjamin Netanyahu, have moved from the prime minister’s seat to the opposition in the Knesset…writes Abigail Klein Leichman. Read more
Netanyahu vows to topple Israel’s ‘dangerous’ new government
Israel’s opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to topple Israel’s new government “at the first opportunity.” Read more
Israel becomes first country to ban fur sales for fashion
Israel has become the first country in the world to ban the sale of fur for fashion (with a few exceptions), effective six months from now. Read more
Netanyahu calls emergency meeting of right-wing bloc
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called an emergency meeting of the right-wing bloc after Yesh Atid Party head Yair Lapid informed Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin late on Wednesday night that he had managed to form a coalition. Read more
How did Hamas become the darling of the West?
In February 2009, I wrote an essay about a symposium at UCLA that marked the beginning of Hamas’s penetration into academic circles…writes Judea Pearl. Read more
What does a Bennett-Lapid government mean?
Yesh Atid Party head Yair Lapid and Yamina Party head Naftali Bennett announced on Wednesday that they have secured an agreement to form Israel’s next government, thereby likely ending the 12-year consecutive term of Benjamin Netanyahu as the country’s prime minister…writes David Isaac. Read more
