News and Reflections
We Are One
The roller coaster ride that is living in Israel! There is no other way to describe the events of the last few days and the emotional highs and lows that we have experienced. On Sunday night there was a gathering dedicated to unity, prayer and song surrounding the...
Israel Independence Day
May 6, 2014 Sondra Oster Baras It was a wonderful day! Today, we celebrated Israel Independence Day, honoring 66 years of statehood, the rebirth of the Nation of Israel in the Land of Israel. The festivities began last night, after 24 hours dedicated to mourning...
A Fresh Look At Peace
January 2014 US Secretary of State John Kerry just spent 24 hours in Israel, trying, yet again, to jump-start negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. When this round of US-brokered negotiations began, the parties agreed to negotiate for nine months and...
Standing Tall For Israel
Today is the first day of Adar, the Hebrew month corresponding to the 11th Biblical month. There is an ancient Hebrew saying: “When Adar begins, we revel in happiness.” The reason for the joyous nature of the month is the occurrence, on the 14th day of the...
The Blessings of a Start-Up Nation
Several days ago, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the international economic conference in Davos, Switzerland. At a time when newspapers around the world are full of threats of economic boycott of Israel, Netanyahu invited businesses from all over the...
The Irony of a Bulldozer
Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon passed away yesterday afternoon. It is an opportunity to review the life and legacy of this man who for so much of Israel’s history held positions of leadership and influence. Beginning in Israel’s War of Independence...
The Blessing of Snow – December 2013
It started snowing on Wednesday evening and kept snowing. On Thursday, Judea was covered in snow, in Gush Etzion and in Hebron. I was supposed to meet a tour group in Hebron that day but it was cancelled — there was no way to get anywhere near that area. Where I...
France – Israel’s ally – November 19, 2013
President Francois Hollande landed in Israel yesterday for what would be the longest visit of this French president in a foreign country. The visit could not happen at a more opportune time. Just last week, negotiations between the western nations and Iran broke...
Reflections on Chanukah
The Hebrew month of Kislev is called the Month of Glory and Heroism. Long before the 25th day of the month, when Chanukah, the Festival of Lights begins, the theme of heroism permeates our days. On one Chanukah, our local community center arranged for a very...
Reflections on Rain
The first sweet rainfall came down a few weeks ago. It was no more than a drizzle. The sun was still shining bright and even my laundry, hanging out to dry, barely got damp. But my two grandsons, visiting for the day, raced to the closet, grabbed boots, coats and...