February 2015 Election season is upon us and as we move closer to election day (March 17th) the mutual accusations and mud-slinging so common in any election campaign become louder and more pronounced. But one of the major issues that have surfaced this week actually reflects something very fundamental that affects the settlement movement in … Read more
January 2015 The news in Israel has been focusing on two main topics in recent weeks: the upcoming elections and ongoing revelations of corruption in government circles. With regard to the elections, the news is full of intrigue and spin. Great fun to follow but I’m not sure how relevant it all is to the … Read more
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 For weeks now, the government has been in election mode. Despite the fact that there are many issues that need to be debated seriously, the politicians sense that elections are in the air and direct their comments more towards their own constituency than towards an efficient solution to any given problem. … Read more
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 On Sunday night, November 2, I ran a Shabbat dinner in Amarillo, Texas, hosted by a wonderful friend of CFOIC Heartland, Mike Isely and his group Texans for Israel. I have run programs of this sort in a number of different countries for the past few years, but it never ceases … Read more
This is the holiest time in the Jewish calendar. Just two days ago, we celebrated Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a day which is dedicated to repentance, prayer and fasting. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Mark, the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred … Read more
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 After 50 days, the war has ended. At least for now. The missiles have stopped firing, the artillery fire has gone quiet. Worst hit by far were the communities closest to Gaza. The four-year old boy killed in Nahal Oz and the middle aged men killed in Nirim at the end … Read more
As I write this newsletter, it is still unclear whether Israel will continue to be involved in a war with Hamas, whether we will move on to a war of attrition, or whether some sort of agreement will be reached between the parties. As an Israeli, watching the news day in and day out during … Read more
This past Friday I participated in a moving ceremony in the Jordan Valley that I would like to share with you. Very dear friends of mine decided to commission the writing of a Torah Scroll in order to donate it to a community in need. A Torah Scroll contains the entire text of the Five … Read more
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 kidnapping of the three young boys from … Read more
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, … Read more