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 the soldiers who gave their lives to protect the nation,
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 the US expressed confidence that an agreement would be produced at the conclusion of
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 month, of the holiday of Purim. On this
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 world to learn from Israel, to do business with Israel and to share in the wonder
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 in 1948, Sharon distinguished himself on the battlefield, rising to become one of Israel’s
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 live, in Karnei Shomron,
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 down when France refused to approve the concessions that the other western
Tragedy in Brosh HaBika – October 15, 2013
A terrible tragedy occurred on Friday. Sraya Ofer, a 61 year old retired colonel in the Israeli Army was axed to death by Arab terrorists in his home in the Jordan Valley. His wife Monique managed to crawl towards the highway and call for help, but it was too late for her husband. Monique was
Israel’s Choice – Then and Now
The news in Israel is focusing on two subjects right now: Syria and Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, otherwise known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year when Jews all over the world spend the day in fasting and prayer. This year, though, marked the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur
Being a Grandparent – Joy and Traditions – August 20, 2013
We have just returned from our annual summer vacation with our children and it was wonderful! We hiked in the rivers and valleys of the Galilee and the Golan Heights, splashed in the streams and springs of the North and just enjoyed our time together. When the children were young, all of our children went
Confusing Democratic Process for Democratic Values – July 9, 2013
For the past week, Israel’s news broadcasts have focused on the situation in Egypt. Just over a week ago, millions of Egyptian citizens took the streets in Cairo and all over the country, calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi is the head of the Muslim Brotherhood and in the aftermath of the
Lies and Propaganda versus Truth – June 11, 2013
I remember as a young child, when the Six Day War occurred, we heard Arab reports on the television and radio that were diametrically opposed to the reports coming out of Israel. The Arabs boasted ongoing victory while the Jews reported ongoing defeat of their Arab enemy. At the end of the war it became
