Submitted Comments RSS Feed Comments by Hannah
Posted in: The Christmas Conversion
Thanks Sheldon. One way I solved this dilemma was to move to Israel. It's so wonderful- no Christmas ads, no commercialism, no elves or santas (except for in tourist traps). It's so incredible here, other than the political garbage on the news. But walking in the Land is so beautiful, and yesterday we went to the Kotel. It was nice to see lots of tourists, hopefully going home with lots of goodwill towards us. But there's something in the air- I can sense it- it makes my spirit feel good- I can't explain it. It makes me cry sometimes, just looking at the rocky hills. Every Jew needs to come home- we need you! Please consider making aliyah while there's still time.
Posted in: The Christmas Conversion
You haven't even touched on the issues associated with xmas, for both Jews and Christians. Christians shouldn't even be celebrating it, because it is a holiday to the Sun God Mithra and has nothing to do with Christianity. Case in point: why would any Christian with any sense of who Jesus was celebrate his pretend birthday by eating pork, which would repulse him if he was present? Most converts I know stopped celebrating xmas before they even thought of converting for the above reasons. So the issue does not exist for these converts. I'm surprised anyone converts unless years have gone by without a xmas celebration in their lives. It just doesn't make sense. And the other issue is, that there are many non-observant Jews who celebrate xmas. I have had this problem, and though I was born Jewish, the rest of my family has assimilated and prefers to keep xmas. So, because I'm observant, I have been left out for years. To conclude, the issue isn't whether one has converted or not, the issue is that many non-understanding Christians and Jews celebrate xmas because it's a family holiday with pretty festive decorations. And until they care about the pagan roots, this will continue and many Jews, both converts and natural Jews, will be separated from families at this season.
Posted in: Palin on settlements: Jews 'flocking' to Israel need a place to live
I just want to tell J street, as an Israeli citizen living in a city on the other side of the so-called green line: You don't speak for me or for most Jews in Israel. Sarah Palin understands the Jewish soul better than you do, and she also speaks the truth about the Jews coming here in the near future. With the current US prez making a shambles of the US, the safest place for Jews will be Israel. I've been telling my family and friends this for years; soon maybe they will listen. Jews will be scapegoated again, thanks to the J Street types in the administration. I say, thank you Sarah Palin for your support and understanding, and for speaking outside the box that everyone else is in. I don't understand why the writer is puzzled by her opinion, since it agrees with that of many, many Jews. She's a lot more hep on the Middle East than the administration.
Posted in: First prisoner freed in Shalit video swap
No one has seen fit to complain against the Red Cross and the lack of their doing their job in visiting a prisoner of war. Why should we have to free prisoners to get a videotape, when any other country has the Red Cross visits to confirm the welfare of prisoners? If the problem is that Hamas will not let the Red Cross do their job, then why isn't there a huge protest against this until the UN enforces this protocol? The other problem is, a videotape's validity ends when the camera turns off. What's our guarantee after that? We need to get daily videotapes, not just one.
Posted in: Arabs march, strike to mark 2000 riots
It's ironic that the Arabs who live in Israel have the freedom to strike and protest against the so-called discrimination of Israel, when in truth, any ARAB country would not allow them to carry out such protests. That is, if they could find an Arab country that would allow them to live and work in it. Jordan won't take in the "Palestinians", even though Jordan was supposed to be the nation of the "Palestinians". This is just another use of the Israeli Arabs by the Arab nations to make political points with the world. Any intelligent Israeli Arab knows he or she is better off in Israel than anywhere else. They should wake up and realize that this kind of behavior could backfire on them as other Israelis realize that we would be better off without such malcontents. If they aren't happy here, let them leave. Seems simple enough to me.
Posted in: Netanyahu outlines the 'lies' Israel's opponents tell
Cheryl, thank you for your posting of PM Netanyahu's speech in answer to David. I hope he reads it and considers it. I have another challenge to you David: I suggest you review the history of the Jewish/Hebrew nation. It is mostly the story of the many attempts to annihilate a people who have always been very small in number. Ask yourself why so many stronger nations tried to wipe out the Jewish people, century after century, and yet, we still exist and still thrive. The tiny state of Israel today is home to about half of the remaining Jewish people; it is hated by almost everyone else in the world, yet we continue to make medical and technological breakthroughs; we have had to defend ourselves from terrorists and acts of aggression and war, yet we've triumphed. We're still here, and many Israelis know that it is simply God, because of His promises, that has preserved us. Even secular Israelis have acknowledged miracles in their lives. Military leaders speak about the miraculous victories of the IDF and cannot explain them other than to say that we had the help of God. There is only one answer to WHY ISRAEL, HOW ISRAEL? and that is....................... God. I've heard it said that the existence of Israel is proof there is a God as described in the Torah. If you don't agree, David, that's your right, but you might want to check it out. Earthquakes will come often (Israel has an fault running right under the Temple mount area- a rift valley all the way down to the Dead Sea), and they figure into the prophecy still to come, but God's promises will last forever.
Posted in: Palestinian state in 2 years gets qualified Quartet nod
Cheryl, I'm laughing with you but crying as well. Where is all this leading? There was not one representative of the two entities involved in the land sharing, so it's nothing but a bunch of hot air and a revelation of the ignorance and total lack of facts among the four quartet members. It's time to sing your swan song and fade away, quartet members, before you replace Obama as the butt of jokes in Israel. What's really scary is that the members of this group represent most of Europe, all the nations in the UN, plus the US and Russia....... How safe does this make you feel?
Posted in: Emanuel: Israel, Palestinians must take advantage of 'unique moment'
There is one trait that the Obama administration certainly does not lack, and that is arrogance. I would like to send this message to Rahm: Mr. Emanuel, Regarding your statement "Obama challenged the other two leaders publicly -- 'which means they now have to go home and face the people that they represent about the opportunities of peace versus the risk of not taking action.' ": As one of those people welcoming Netanyahu home, I have to burst your fantasy land bubble, BUT- Bibi made a huge hit with Israelis, who pretty much consider Obama a bad joke. They are becoming more and more against giving the arabs another state from which to hurl missiles at us. So don't lose anymore sleep over how much pressure Bibi faces because he didn't roll over and play dead. He won a lot more respect.
Posted in: Abbas: Israel, Palestinians have 'no common ground'
Cheryl and Michelle, thank you so much for some much needed history. I don't understand why the other posters choose to ignore history and continue on with their support of a group of people who are proving that murder and lies are the way to get their way in these so-called enlightened times in which we live. I have said it before and state it again: Palestine is the historical designation for the land on which Israel is located. Jordan was designated a state for the "Palestinians" by the British when they left the area, and Israel was given the rest of the land for a Jewish state. Therefore, we already have a two state situation. Secondly, Israel won the areas of Judaea and Samaria in a defensive war after being attacked by Arab nations. She did not start the war nor commit terrorist acts to conquer this land. The land has been part of Israel for over 40 years and is not being "occupied." By the definition of "occupied" being used by the UN and the US, the US has been occupying Native American land for over 200 years. Obama should look in the mirror and clean up his own backyard before meddling in our small piece of real estate.
RSS Feed Breaking News
Updated 02/09/12 @ 05:54PM EST
- A poll showed that nearly half of likely voters believed the United States should use military force to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
- Rabbi Gunther Plaut, a major figure in Reform Judaism, died in Toronto.
- The application for a proposed Hebrew-language charter school was accepted by the District of Columbia Public Charter School board.
- A truck driving calves from Eilat to the Golan Heights was hijacked into the West Bank.
- U.S. Rep. Howard Berman introduced legislation that would allow eligible Israeli nationals to receive non-immigrant investor visas in the United States.
- Poll: Half of U.S. voters back strike on nuclear Iran
- Reform leader Rabbi Gunther Plaut dies
- D.C. Hebrew-language charter school accepted for review
- Op-Ed: Kick the reaction addiction on campus
- Berman moves to grant investor visas to Israelis
- Holy cow! Calves hijacked into Palestinian territory
- Report: Israeli journalist also works for prime minister
- Larry Greenfield tapped to lead JINSA
Posted in: Chelsea: Under the chupah?
03/08/10 09:48 PM
Unless things have changed in the last 30 years, there are few rabbis who will officiate at a Jewish wedding. In my family, there were two mixed marriages, and even our Reform rabbi, whom we had known for years, refused to do the weddings. If Reform won't do mixed marriages, no rabbi will. This being such a high profile case, I doubt they can find a rabbi to do it, as he/she will be heavily criticized for approving of a mixed marriage. It is NOT racism, it is Jewish law and practice. The reasoning is that, in this case, the kids won't be Jewish, and even in cases where the woman is Jewish, there is still the concern the children won't be raised Jewish. We are trying to fight assimilation, and this is one way to do it. So the question asked is not one for discussion; no opinions count except those of the rabbis.