Rabbi Meir Lau Surrenders Poetically "Cry'of Shabbos break through the walls of my heart"

Following proposal to allow service-providing businesses to operate in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Rabbi Lau hits at Mayor Huldai: 'Cry of Shabbat breaks through walls of my heart'. Tel Aviv's Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau slammed City Mayor Ron Huldai for his bid to allow businesses to operate within the city on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest.  Out of respect of observant Jews and in accordance with the Jewish character of the State, Tel Aviv, like many other cities in Israel, respects the Shabbat and does not allow businesses or public transportation to operate in the city. Related stories: Haredim launch 'Shabbat war' on Jerusalem café Israel's haredim crying over spilled milk Bill suggests kosher certificate for restaurants open on Shabbat  The city's chief rabbi sent a letter to the mayor on Monday, nothing that "this is the breaking of the pattern of the city's life since its establishment 105 years ago. Let us consider what is at stake in the decision that stands before you." Rabbi Lau added that he had never before turned to the mayor. "I am going out of my way because the cry of Shabbat breaks through the walls of my heart and I cannot remain silent." Huldai replied to the letter on Tuesday and stressed that only one percent of service-providing businesses could operate, and only in places and areas where their operation does not cause disturbance. Last month Tel Aviv's city council authorized a new proposal which paves the way for regulating business operation on Saturday. The municipality has defined several stores that would remain open in every central street, in accordance with the number of grocery stores currently running on Saturday. The bill is expected to pass within the city council in the future, and only afterwards – if it gets approval by the Interior Ministry – it will take effect. Rabbi Lau, who served as Israel's chief rabbi in the past, further wrote in his letter to Huldai that "many are desecrating Shabbat in the city today, but the proposal will not only cause the desecration of Shabbat, but its elimination altogether. Please consider the owners of smaller grocery stores whose income is entirely deprived when Shabbat violators provide food on Saturdays and holidays." Deputy Mayor Asaf Zamir said in response: "The Tel Aviv Municipality did not choose to have this discussion; it was forced to do so by the High Court of Justice. For years, the city has managed to create a reality that generally pleases all parties involved. We did not use the High Court of Justice decision to do anything dramatic. But such a debate in Israel is dramatic and I understand the issue's sensitivity, as well as Rabbi Lau's sensitivity. The city has a pluralist-secular majority. No one is complaining about cafes that are open on Saturday. What we're doing is expanding the services given in the city by grocery stores to the weekends as well."

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Defends SodaStream and Israel

Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson held her ground in an aggressive UK interview, insisting again that SodaStream is a symbol of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation & an asset in Jewish-Arab relations.

Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson on Sunday again defended her decision to represent Israeli soda-maker SodaStream and shot down biased criticism of and efforts to boycott the Jewish state.

Scarlett Johansson – Photo source: Israel Today

In an interview with the UK’s Observer that was supposed to focus on her role in an upcoming film, Johansson was aggressively confronted over her spokesperson position with SodaStream, which operates a large factory near the “Jewish settlement” of Ma’aleh Adumim.

The factory employs hundreds of Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews, and, according to Johansson, “is a model for some sort of movement forward in a seemingly impossible situation.”

That wasn’t good enough for the interviewer, who wrote that Johansson must have been given some bad advice or made a wrong decision, but was now unable to extract herself from the situation without upsetting one side or another.

Not so, Johansson retorted, insisting that she “stands behind that decision. I was aware of that particular factory before I signed [on]…and…it still doesn’t seem like a problem.”

Clearly becoming frustrated with the starlet, the interviewer pointed out that the biggest names in the international community all regard Israeli settlements as illegal and a detriment to the dignity and livelihood of Palestinian Arabs.

Determined not to be cowed, Johansson replied, “I think that’s something that’s very easily debatable.” She went on to note that while a firm majority in the UK might back the interviewer’s position, that is certainly not true everywhere.

Johansson also took a shot at the UK-based charity Oxfam, from which she stepped down as a global ambassador when Oxfam too harshly criticized her relationship with SodaStream.

“There’s plenty of evidence that Oxfam does support and has funded a BDS [anti-Israel boycott, divest, sanctions] movement in the past. It’s something that can’t really be denied,” Johansson said. “For a non-governmental organization to be supporting something that’s supporting a political cause… there’s something that feels not right about that to me.”

At FIDF gala, Israeli army’s media machine helps rake in $20 million

At FIDF gala, Israeli army’s media machine helps rake in $20 million

At FIDF Gala, Israeli Army’s Media Machine helps rake in $20 million

 

With the spotlight on Iranian munitions seizure and suave Israeli pilots, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces’ fundraiser in NY, brings in a hefty $20 million in donations.

The Waldorf ballroom – all three of its gilded tiers – was packed this past Tuesday night, as one of New York’s more visible and popular Jewish charities, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, celebrated its annual gala dinner.

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz speaks at Friends of Israel Defense Forces gala, New York, 2014. – Photo: Shahar Azran

After the recent IDF seizure of an Iranian missile shipment bound for Gaza, the evening morale was high, and so was the socialite buzz. A group of young soldiers in uniform milled about the ballroom, caught up in loud throngs of 1,400 New Yorkers and friends; the stars of the night were clearly two young Israeli navy commandos who had been present on the navy ship in Port Sudan, whisked off a boat, and then into a candlelit dinner to smile and shake hands with Americans.

With a robust young leadership presence – that crucial fundraising weapon which all Jewish non-profits only dream of – the evening featured keynote speaker IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. “This is the third time they tried to get him to come,” someone whispers during the program. “It’s a wonder he didn’t have to cancel this time around.”

IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin (Benny) Gantz – Courtesy FIDF

Gantz thanked international donors for their support of IDF educational, social and cultural programs, and in a measured voice, addressed the importance of Diaspora Jewry’s continued support for Israel. “The struggle for the security of Israel demands total devotion,” he said. “In our ever-changing reality, there are two factors which provide us with stability: The State of Israel…and the United States, our ally.”

Gantz also addressed the interception of the Iranian arms vessel: “In the middle of the night, halfway across the world, we exposed the fangs behind the Iranian smiles,” he said. “We are aware of the changes in our enemies’ behavior…We see them. We hear them. We recognize them, and most importantly of all – we act with boldness to stop them.”

After Gantz’s speech, a media presentation followed, featuring several words from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s “eternal capital” of Jerusalem, and a live video broadcasting from an Air Force basis. The evening’s emcee, conservative talk show host Monica Crowley, interviewed a soldier via video: “Tell us, how does the Israeli Air Force maintain its advantage constantly?”

The soldier smiled and then said, “If I tell you, Monica, I would have to kill you,” and the whole ballroom erupted in laughter; Crowley then made the requisite joke about the charms of the Israeli soldier.

DF Soldiers at the gala – Courtesy FIDF

But program execution here was memorable – living here in New York brings one to many a tedious fundraising dinner, in many a midtown hotel or pier, but the FIDF’s program was surprisingly interesting. When live video hookups show Israeli Air Force Major General Amir Eshel demonstrating digitally simulated operations, alongside the token lone soldier, the paramedic on the Syrian border, and then the IDF widow with the trembling voice – there’s no doubt that a standing ovation will soon follow, along with a moment of reverent silence and open checkbooks, with evening proceeds amounting to $20 million.

As white-haired Jews in drawling Brooklyn accents announced various numbers, followed by applause, the group of young soldiers looked on, smiling and slightly dazed.

Later, when the guests finished their desserts and stepped out onto a windy Park Avenue, Gantz rushed back to the airport — escalating violence on the Gazan border called him home to duty.

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Category: The Diaspora | Tags: American Jews, FIDF, IDF, Jewish Diaspora

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Victor Shem-Tov

Victor Shem-Tov passes away at the age of 99

Shem-Tov served as health minister under prime minister Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin in the 1970s.

Former Israeli politician and minister Victor Shem-Tov passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 99. Shem-Tov served as health minister under prime ministers Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin.

Shem-Tov was born in the Bulgarian city of Samokov in 1915. In Bulgaria, he was a member of the Maccabi Jewish youth movement. At the age of 24, he made aliyah. In 1946 Shem-Tov was appointed member of the Jerusalem Workers Council.


In addition, during the first years after the establishment of the state of Israel, Shem-Tov served as the chairman of the Bulgaria immigrants union in Jerusalem. In 1961, he was elected to the Knesset for the first time as part of the Mapam party.

In December 1969, he was appointed minister without portfolio and less than a year later he was promoted by former prime minister Golda Meir to the position of health minister. He stayed in office in the subsequent Rabin administration and spent a total of seven years in the position. Towards the end of his term, he was also appointed welfare minister.


During his tenure as minister, Shem-Tov was a not a Knesset Member. In 1981, he was re-elected to the Knesset as part of the HaMa'arkh (alignment) party, and remained a lawmaker until March 1988.


During his entire political life, Shem-Tov was very well-appreciated across the political sphere for his pleasantness. Many MKs, including his political rivals, expressed their disappointment when he resigned in 1988.


Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On mourned the death of the former minister: "Shem-Tov was a courageous fighter for social justice and peace. He began his contribution as a construction worker and left his mark and socialist teachings mark in all the public roles he served in, and aimed for equality, justice and human rights."

Gal-On added that "Shem-Tov will be forever remembered as one of those who were first to oppose to the First Lebanon War from day one, and fiercely criticized the floundering in Lebanese mud."