Blog

My running commentary on events: local, national, and international. Areas of special interest include Israel, Iraq, and dissidents in the Muslim world.

N.J. lawmakers act to protect volunteers who drive: Federations sought measure, which would help Meals on Wheels

July 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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“No good deed goes unpunished,” or so the saying goes. But an alliance of New Jersey nonprofits has enlisted a bipartisan group of legislators to prevent that maxim from applying to volunteer drivers in the Garden State.

The move...

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Local student gets HIAS help: Russian emigre looks forward to resuming medical education

July 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Robert Goldberg of North Haledon, a former Muscovite, is among the 60 scholars chosen this year to receive a scholarship from HIAS, the international organization that has assisted in resettling Jewish immigrants for 130 years....

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Locals responded quickly to youth’s disappearance: Many searched and prayed for Leiby Kletzky

July 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

Prayer services and volunteers for searching organized themselves in Bergen and Passaic counties only hours after Leiby Kletzky went missing Monday evening. Synagogue listserves, such as Teaneck Shuls, sent out calls for...

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Case highlights value of free speech, and its down side

July 13, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

In the wake of Tuesday’s verdict acquitting Florida mother Casey Anthony of murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008, Cheney Mason, one of Anthony’s attorneys, criticized TV pundits for excessive coverage of...

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Blood donation is a mitzvah

July 1, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

Judaism has always insisted on “safety first.” Starting with such Torah-based commands to build a parapet around one’s home to prevent objects from falling off roofs and to cover holes on roadways and fields, Jewish law requires that...

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Local camps balance safety and fun: Local camps focus on safety

July 1, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Local day-camp directors interviewed this week stressed that at their camps, safety is the top priority. Most are accredited by the American Camp Association, whose safety standards, according to all camp directors interviewed,...

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A conversation with Alex Grobman: Evangelical publishing house aims to foster Israel support

June 30, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

Balfour Books, a division of ICON Publishing, was established in 2003 “to educate Christians about what is going on in the Middle East,” and specifically about Israel, according to its publisher, Jim Fletcher. The Evangelical Christian...

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A conversation with Alex Grobman: Englewood historian arms Christians with facts about Israel

June 30, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Alex Grobman, historian and Englewood resident, spoke last week and over the Fourth of July weekend with The Jewish Standard about his book “The Palestinian Right to Israel.” (The book is published by Balfour Books, a...

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Local leaders get behind state resolution demanding stronger Iran sanctions: Pressure urged against energy companies seeking ‘loopholes’

June 30, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

New Jersey’s State Senate last Wednesday unanimously approved a measure urging the federal government to take stronger action in imposing and enforcing sanctions against Iran.

The resolution urges better enforcement of “current...

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From nut allergies to gluten, Jewish camps and schools struggle with dietary limitations

June 27, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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No one goes to summer camp for the food. And school lunches? Used to be fried mystery meat and a side of bogus mashed potatoes, if you were lucky.

But that was before the healthy eating movement — and allergies — changed how camps and...

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