Blog

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

Obama administration acted appropriately

May 7, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

This week, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, the United States assassinated the terrorist Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans, including 700 from New Jersey....

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President Obama announces U.S. forces have killed bin Laden

May 2, 2011

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Tonight President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden, the terror mastermind who directed the September 11th massacre of 3,000 U.S. civilians as well as numerous other acts of mass terrorism characterized by their extreme,...

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Jewish Labor Committee partners with Working Families United: JLC wants to be ‘shidduch between Jewish community and the local labor movement’

April 29, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Historically, the Jewish community has been a partner with organized labor, but the connection has weakened in recent years. Martin Schwartz, executive director of the Jewish Labor Committee, wants to reinvigorate it. To that end, the...

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Fogel suspects’ arrest exposes dangers of incitement

April 29, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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On Sunday, Israel announced the arrest of Amjad Awad, 19, and Hakim Awad 18, both from the Palestinian village of Awarta, in connection with the murders of the Fogel family in March. Both have reportedly admitted to perpetrating the murders. Awad...

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Poets, beloved by Israel

April 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

On Sunday, after more than a year of heated debate, Israel’s government approved some famous personalities to appear on a new series of shekel banknotes. Among those to be featured on the new currency are a few of Israel’s most beloved poets,...

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Congressman comes to Yavneh Academy: Rothman cautions students not to ‘walk through life with blinders on

April 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Before a sanctuary filled with seventh-graders at Yavneh Academy in Paramus, Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) placed his hands on either side of his face and pretended to be a horse.

“Most people walk through life with blinders on,”...

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The Fifth Son Project: Frisch schoolgirls seek help through song for Gilad Shalit

April 16, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

In the rush of day-today life, it is easy to forget Sgt. Gilad Shalit, reflects Michaela Elias, 16, of Teaneck.

“It’s very easy to dismiss his situation because it doesn’t have relevance in [one’s] daily life,” said Michaela. “To...

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Report from Las Vegas: Romney addresses the RJC

April 16, 2011

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Last week Mitt Romney announced the formation of his presidential exploratory committee for 2012. Two weeks ago, while visiting friends in Las Vegas, I stopped off at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s winter meeting in Las Vegas....

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Shall We Consider Mitt?

April 12, 2011

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The Republican Jewish Coalition’s Winter Meeting took place in Las Vegas April 1-3. While visiting my good friend Esmeralda Whitechurch, I stopped to check it out. Since Mitt Romney announced formation of his 2012 Presidential...

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Itamar’s mayor comes to Englewood, speaks of Fogel family: First-responder addresses students about massacre, settlement life

April 9, 2011

From The Jewish Standard

by HEATHER ROBINSON

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Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith was in synagogue last month when he saw, he said on Tuesday, “three times, a white light” surrounding Udi Fogel, who was killed, along with four family members, the next day.

“Martyrs of Israel, those who give...

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