JTA
By JTA
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Fast Forward Obama’s Selection of Mitchell Hailed by Israel, Doves
Washington — Barack Obama’s selection for Middle East envoy drew praise from Israel, as well as dovish groups and at least one centrist Jewish organization. George Mitchell was introduced as the new special envoy for Middle East peace at a State Department news conference Thursday afternoon. Mitchell said he believes deeply that “committed, persevering and…
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News Rabbinical Council: Rabbi Violated Rules by Joining National Prayer Service
The main Modern Orthodox rabbinical association says a prominent member violated its rules by participating in the National Prayer Service. A Rabbinical Council of America official told JTA that Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, the religious leader of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York City, broke the organization’s rules by participating in the service Wednesday at the…
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Fast Forward Rabbis To Participate in Post-Inauguration Prayer Service
The program is out for the Jan. 21 post-inauguration prayer service, and rabbis from the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements will all be participating. Reform Rabbi David Saperstein will be reading a psalm, according to a press release from the inaugural committee. Conservative Rabbi Jerome Epstein and Orthodox Rabbi Haskel Lookstein will be two of…
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Fast Forward Who Won the War?
Now that there is a cease-fire in place, Israelis are asking whether the 22-day war against Hamas in Gaza achieved its aims. The government argues that overwhelming victory in the field will advance what was Operation Cast Lead’s primary goal: bringing a long period of quiet to civilians in southern Israel, freeing them from the…
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Fast Forward Reports: Gaza Hospital, U.N. Complex Hit in Israeli Strikes
Israel reportedly struck the United Nations headquarters in Gaza, as Hamas stepped up rocket attacks on southern Israel. The Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City was also hit, the Associated Press reported. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced, during a news conference following his meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, that he expressed his “strong…
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Fast Forward Massive Layoffs at Hadassah
Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America has instituted massive layoffs. The organization began the process Tuesday of laying off 80 employees across the country, roughly a quarter of its national staff, a spokesman for the organization confirmed. The cuts are coming at all levels of the organization. Hadassah recently announced that it had in…
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Fast Forward In Israel, Geography Dictates Mood
ASHKELON and TEL AVIV, Israel — In Tel Aviv, the lunch crowd suns itself at bustling sidewalk cafes. But in Ashkelon the playgrounds are deserted, municipal buses run without passengers and stores are shuttered with no customers to even see the notes taped on the doors of “We’ll be back soon.” Just as in the summer…
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Fast Forward In Gaza Ground Invasion, Israel Cites Successes
KARNEI SHOMRON, West Bank — At least 50 Hamas terrorists have been killed since Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip, beginning the long-anticipated ground phase of Operation Cast Lead. An Israeli soldier died Sunday afternoon, several hours after being critically injured in a mortar attack near Jabalya. Some 33 Israeli soldiers have been injured, two…
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