AJC Urges Knesset to Reconsider Measure

AJC Urges Knesset to Reconsider Measure
http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=2818289&ct=8995985&notoc=1

January 5, 2011 – New York – AJC is urging the Knesset to reconsider its decision today to create a parliamentary committee that will investigate Israeli groups critical of the Israel Defense Forces.

"The Knesset's action today contravenes the democratic principles that are Israel's greatest strength," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Israel's vibrant democracy not only can survive criticism, but it also thrives and is improved by it."

The measure, adopted by a vote of 47-16, calls for establishing a special committee to examine funding of Israeli organizations engaged in advocacy seen by some as undermining support for Israel.

Yisrael Beitenu, the party headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, introduced the measure after Israel's attorney general, Yehuda Weinstein, had declined during the summer to investigate Israeli groups criticizing IDF actions.

AJC called on the Knesset to seek other means to address concerns about the role of funding in political and civic activity.

"The selective targeting of groups critical of the IDF runs counter to Israel's legal and political tradition, and does no service to the one state that is a beacon of democracy in the Middle East," said Harris.

"If there is a concern that foreign, and possibly malign, forces are funding civic or political groups in Israel, then let there be a debate on the advisability of requiring full disclosure of the revenues, and their sources, of all such groups across the political spectrum."

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti  ||  ShefaNetwork.org 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Adult version of Write On for Israel to Launch in February 2011!

BlueStar's New Write On for Israel program for Adults Starts on February 6, 2011!

Do you wish you could do something about Israel's PR challenges?  Tired of feeling powerless against Israel's treatment by the media?  Do you wish you knew what to say or how to write to turn things around – and make a difference? 

You are not alone.

If you are ready to turn your frustration into action, please join us in the new adult-only Write On for Israel. Modeled after our successful teen program, Write On for Adults will start in February 2011 and meet one Sunday a month until June 2011.

Whether you're interested in strengthening our community's voice against unfair media coverage or simply looking for ways to counter an anti-Israel comment at a cocktail party, Write On for Israel for Adults is for you.  (Quick: How would you respond to a partygoer who tells the group that Israel should never have been created?)

Held once a month on Sunday mornings in San Francisco at the Jewish Community High School, our goal for the program is to make sure that everyone who cares about Israel's future can discover their courage, learn advocacy skills and feel empowered by the support of like-minded peers.

Write On For Israel for Adults Benefits:

– Improve Your Writing, Critical Thinking and Speaking Skills

– Discover the Ideas and Events that Have Shaped Israel 

– Understand Israel's Strategic Predicament 

– Explore Journalism and Media Analysis 

– Explore the Story of the Jewish People in Israel

– Create Friendships with Like-Minded Israel Supporters from the Bay Area

The Full Schedule for Spring 2011 is as follows:

• February 6, 2011 (10am-noon) Donna Rosenthal, author of The Israelis, will speak on Blurred Vision: Israel and the International Media
• March 6, 2011 (10am-noon) Jonathan Carey, BlueStarPR, will speak on How to Connect Americans With Israel
• April 3, 2011 (10am-noon) Jonathan Carey, BlueStarPR, will speak on Turning your Frustration into Action
• May 1, 2011 (10am-noon) Sue Fishkoff, Experienced Journalist, will present Standing Up for Israel in Public: Speaking Exercises
• June 12, 2011 (10am-noon) Sue Fishkoff, Experienced Journalist, will speak on Working the Media: Making Your Voice Heard

All Classes to be held at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA

Optional Travel Opportunity: You are also invited to join us on a "Behind the Scenes" journalism trip to Israel in the fall of 2011 to meet and interview newsmakers, politicians and journalists yourself.  What better way to learn about what is really going on than from firsthand accounts from Jewish and Arab Israelis themselves?

To find our more about how you can enroll in this 5-session monthly program or the trip to Israel, please call us at 415-543-6300 or fill out the form below and return to wofi@bluestarpr.com:

Name
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
E-mail

P.S. Please share our information with any friends or relatives who might be interested in taking the course with you.

-------------

Jonathan Carey

BlueStar

96 Jessie Street, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

415-543-6300

www.bluestarpr.org

BlueStar's mission is to empower the next generation of Israel advocates and leaders

.  BlueStar is an IRS 501(c)3 organization supported by tax-deductible donations.

Transliterated Siddur Committee

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

An Invitation to Join the Transliterated Siddur Committee! -Netivot Shalom Website -CNS Calendar -Click here to learn about Nedivut (generosity), our CNS Middah of the Month! Dear Friends and Loved ones, Got some free time on your hands? Looking for a worthy mitzvah project?  We're looking for people to help us with our plan to transliterate, translate and lay out a new siddur that is more accessible and user-friendly for all. We have a good start, and our very own teacher and CNS member Uri Alter has graciously given permission for us to use his beautiful translations as a start on the English. We hope to make it more navigable and less conspicious than those big white binders, but we need your help! We need all skill levels, from expert Hebrew speakers to those who are new to the siddur, as well as a few folks who might be familiar with book publishing and EPS files. We plan to meet Wed 1/12/11 from 7-9 PM in the shul library and we'd love to see you there. If you have any questions, or if you want to attend (a headcount will be useful), could you please contact us at CNSsiddur@gmail.com. Your Beloved Siddur Steering Committee: Shifra and Stephen Pride Raffel, and Shoshana Anderson

This Thursday! Rosh Chodesh Shevat -- Minyan & Breakfast Thursday @ 7:15am

The coming week, we will be observing Rosh Chodesh Shevat with a Shacharit minyan at 7:15am on Thursday morning, January 6th, in the CNS library.  Martha Birnbaum will be providing a light breakfast following the minyan.   Shevat brings the holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for the Trees, with its themes of ecology and responsible stewardship of the Earth's resources. Please join us to celebrate the start of Shevat and to hear the Torah on Thursday morning!
 

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti  ||  ShefaNetwork.org 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Women of the Wall will pray for the rehabilitation of the Carmel

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Unsubscribe rabbicreditor@gmail.com | Update your profile | Forward to a friend

January 4, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      Women of the Wall Celebrate Shevat at the Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel - On January 6, 2011 at 7 am, Women of the Wall will gather at the Western Wall to pray and celebrate the beginning of the Jewish Month of Shevat. The month of Shevat features the holiday of Tu Bshevat, the New Year for trees. This year, Tu Bshevat will have deep significance in light of the millions of trees devoured in the recent Carmel fire. As Anat Hoffman, chairwoman of Women of the Wall explains, "Shevat is the month of rebirth and renewal. This month, we will dedicate our prayers to the rehabilitation of Northern Israel." The tragic fires called attention to the neglect of public safety by government officials. Women of the Wall hope that the Israeli public will be similarly moved to address other areas where government officials neglect, and even perpetuate, injustice and the trampling of basic civil and human rights. This past week, dozens of newspapers ran articles about the new iphone application developed by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation that allows users to watch a live feed from the Western Wall. The Kotel camera's close-up footage only displays the men's section. In reaction Anat Hoffman stated: "Once again, the women are hidden. From the perspective of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, they do not even exist." This month's oneg, featuring the seven species of the Land of Israel, is sponsored by Anat Hoffman and Batya Kalush in memory of Peggy Cidor's mother, Rahel Himoni z"l. Since we have been barred from bringing our Sefer Torah to the Kotel, we are looking for volunteers to stand holding it at the gate from 7-8 am during services. If you are able to do this important task, please contact us at media@womenofthewall.org.il Women of the Wall is a group of Jewish women from around the world who strive to achieve the right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectively and out loud at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The Western Wall is Judaism's most sacred holy site and the principal symbol of Jewish people-hood and sovereignty and Women of the Wall works to make it a holy site where women can pray freely. For more information, contact: Emily Shapiro Katz 054-953-5651 media@womenofthewall.org.il Connect With Us Online Become a fan of WOW on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Check out our website  Future Event February 4, 2011 at 7 a.m. Services begin on women's side of the  Kotel Support WOW with your donations

*|13 King David St. P.O. Box 31936 Jerusalem, Israel  91319|* Copyright (C) *|2010|* *|Women of the Wall|* All rights reserved.

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti  ||  ShefaNetwork.org 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Islamic Society of North America Condemns New Year's Attacks in Egypt and Nigeria, Sends Prayers and Condolences to all Affected

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   The Islamic Society of North America Condemns New Year's Attacks in Egypt and Nigeria; Sends Prayers and Condolences to All Affected Source: ISNA   (Plainfield, IN Jan 3, 2011)  The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) sends heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families and community members affected by the senseless January 1st attacks in Alexandria, Egypt and Abuja, Nigeria. It also condemns these barbaric acts that go against the very essence of every Godly teachings across religions. On Saturday, more than 20 people were killed and more than a hundred injured as they gathered outside of a church after prayer service in Alexandria.  In Abuja, more than 20 Christians and Muslims were killed and dozens more injured as they gathered to celebrate the New Year. "It is a sad day for all people when a simple act of worship or community celebration is marked by violence and innocent deaths.  ISNA asks Muslim community members and organizations in Egypt and Nigeria to lend support to the families who lost loved ones during these attacks and urges Muslim Americans to join them in prayer for God to ease the suffering of all those affected by this terrible tragedy," said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. ISNA and the American Muslim community recognize that these acts of violence requires us to double our efforts in promoting religious harmony and the right of people to worship free from fear and violence everywhere in the world. "The small faction of fanatics that wish to ignite religious violence and strife across the world must not be allowed to succeed" said ISNA Secretary General Safaa Zarzour. "These bombings are absolutely reprehensible.  ISNA condemns any and all acts of violence against innocent civilians.  The attacks in Egypt and Nigeria are unacceptable and ISNA urges the Egyptian and Nigerian governments to take all measures to prosecute the individuals responsible for these heinous crimes swiftly and to the fullest measure.  We applaud President Obama's commitment to lend support from the United States to prosecute these individuals and bring peace to innocent civilians," said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.    -End- Contact: Sarah Thompson  ISNA Communications Coordinator           (o): 317-839-1816 (c): 317-679-6350 sthompson@isna.net

Please Read and Watch - "Jon Stewart and The Daily Show May Have Saved the 9/11 First Responders Bill"

December 20 at 5:27PM by Dennis DiClaudio

Jon Stewart and The Daily Show May Have Saved the 9/11 First Responders Bill

http://www.indecisionforever.com/2010/12/20/jon-stewart-and-the-daily-show-may-have-saved-the-911-first-responders-bill/

Did you happen to notice how a week ago, when Republicans blocked a Senate bill that would have paid for health care coverage for 9/11 First Responders, there was this deafening sonic boom of complete silence that emanated from the cable and network news offices, and then how, after Jon Stewart dedicated an entire episode of The Daily Show to the bill's defeat and its resulting silence, all of a sudden people started to talk about how maybe this was kind of an important thing that somebody should have told people about?

You did notice that? Well, you're not the only one…

In the wake of Stewart's show, ABC's Jonathan Karl ran a story on World News and the cable nets seem to have woken up to the bill's existence. On Sunday, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand announced that a revised version of the bill, which reduces the cost from $7.4 billion to $6.2 billion — the measure is offset by closing a corporate tax loop hole — had gained at least some GOP support. Indeed, several prominent Republicans have come out in support of the bill with Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace calling it a "national shame" that the legislation has yet to be enacted.

Sen. Gillibrand thinks there might even be enough Republican votes to getthis piece of crazy liberal legislation passed…

"I believe we now have more than enough votes to pass this legislation. We have been working extremely closely with a number of Republicans and have made a series of changes to the bill. Americans will be watching closely over the next few days and expecting the Senate to do what is right and fulfill our moral obligation to these heroes."

Wow! Who'd have thought that reporting on an issue could actually produce real world results? Seems so counter-intuitive, doesn't it?

In case you missed it, The Daily Show 9/11 first responder episode is after the jump.

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm / 10c.

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti  ||  ShefaNetwork.org 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.