25 years ago, my daughter was killed in the Sbarro bombing. Why is her killer still free?
JERUSALEM — Losing our daughter Malki felt like a horror movie unfolding in real time. Aug. 9, 2001, was a school vacation morning in Jerusalem. I left early for the drug-technology company I managed, while the house slept. Around 2 p.m., my wife Frimet called my office. Instead of her usual update, she was screaming: […]
First Person: Israel’s PR problem is your problem too
A common refrain in the West is that Israel has maintained terrible PR during the Gaza War. I’m not sure if that’s even possible, or if it’s ever happened in the modern history of war. Perhaps more clearly stated, the people who make that claim mean to say Israel’s pursuit of security has made things […]
Birthright creates a ‘living bridge’ between Israel and the world
Birthright Israel, best known for its 10-day trips to Israel for young Jewish adults, has transformed into what International CEO Gidi Mark calls “the majority of the living bridge connecting Israel and the world.” Since Oct. 7, 2023, Birthright has brought nearly 60,000 participants to Israel despite the ongoing challenges; these include 550 participants from […]
Updated: Time to celebrate Israel at 78
It’s time to sing “Am Yisrael Chai” as the Greater Boston Jewish community comes together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, as Israel turns 78. Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, is celebrated on the fifth day of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar, with the celebration starting this year at sunset on […]
Michael Rashes of Newton is new Birthright chair
As the newly appointed chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation – his four-year term began in January – Newton’s Michael Rashes will lead the group’s Generations Campaign, an ambitious project to send 200,000 Diaspora Jews to Israel and raise $900 million in donations by 2029. “Since I joined the board in 2020, I’ve constantly been […]
US Jews help Israelis recover from war as Birthright volunteers
KIBBUTZ EIN HASHLOSHA, Israel – Masha Khiterer of Melrose leaned on her shovel, soaking up the warm Negev sun as she reflected on why she felt it was important to volunteer in Israel now. “I felt that I wanted to go volunteer in Israel since Oct. 7,” she said. “I’ve been looking for something for […]
Two local artists join Birthright Storytellers program to enable digital creators
It’s no secret that Israel is experiencing an avalanche of bad press globally, especially among younger people using social media. To counter this, Birthright Israel Onward recently launched a new Storytellers program, designed to educate young Jewish creatives and influencers, ages 18 to 35, on the complexities of the situation in Israel and how to […]
For both Sabras and Diaspora Jews, Israel Lacrosse is a family affair
FOXBOROUGH – High above the neat green field of Gillette Stadium, Dan and Wendy Kraft hosted the Israel Lacrosse Association family – hundreds of Jewish players and their mishpachah from North America and Israel – for a Shabbat dinner. The May 23 festivities celebrated Kraft’s passions for Israel and lacrosse, and his efforts to promote […]
As war rages on, Lappin Foundation cancels youth trip to Israel
Citing safety concerns, Lappin Foundation has canceled its upcoming Youth to Israel (Y2I) Adventure. The annual summer trip for high school students was originally slated for June 26 through July 7. The foundation’s president and executive director, Deborah L. Coltin, announced the decision in an email to the families of teens who registered. The main […]
Nova festival massacre documentary to screen at West Newton Cinema
A pair of community members are bringing an Israeli-produced documentary about the Oct. 7 music festival massacre to a live screening in Newton later this week. “We Will Dance Again: Surviving October 7th,” a harrowing film about the Hamas attack on Israel, will show at the West Newton Cinema on April 26 and 27. The […]
