Campuses are often hotspots for programs and efforts that attack the legitimacy of Israel, but last week kerfuffle over Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely planned visit to Princeton brought up a lot of issues. First Hotovely was invited by that university’s Hillel and, after facing
protest from campus organizations
,
postponed (or cancelled) her speech
. Chabad stepped in and hosted the event. Hillel then apologized for the cancellation. Then Hotovely
slammed American Jews
for leading “convenient lives,” not serving in the military, and being disingenuous regarding egalitarian access to the kotel... all of which earned her a
rebuke from Prime Minister Netanyahu
.
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Tensions between the Israel Defense Forces and ultra-Orthodox Israelis increased on Tuesday, when protesters gathered outside an IDF draft office in Jerusalem, blocking the road and entrance to the office. Protesting the imprisonment of community members who ignored army draft orders, they pelted rocks, eggs and other items at police officers. Three officers were lightly injured and
34 protesters were arrested
. This incident reflects a decades-old debate about compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Last week, at least 32 people were arrested.
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When American Jewish leaders drafted a shortlist of possible successors to Natan Sharansky as head of the Jewish Agency for Israel, they included men of different backgrounds and political persuasions, but
they missed one thing – women
. Israeli politicians were outraged, with Zionist Union member of Knesset Merav Michaeli saying that the leaders should have known that they were neglecting half the population.
In another story, Israeli women are taking care of each other … in Silicon Valley. A group of women, with partners in the Jewish community, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and the Israeli government, are working to
pave the way for women in technology
. “They’re strong and will not be intimidated … and know their worth,” said the group’s founder.
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It seemed that President Trump had decided to leave the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv. In spite of his campaign promises to move it to Jerusalem, he followed the pattern set by previous presidents and signed a waiver to keep things as they are. But on Tuesday, at an event marking 70 years since the partition plan,
Vice President Mike Pence indicated otherwise
, saying that Trump is “actively considering when and how” to move the embassy.
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Does Iran have military forces in Syria? Prime Minister Netanyahu has said so, warning that “Where ISIS leaves, Iran enters.” But, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Tuesday that
there are indeed no Iranian military forces on Syrian soil
. When pressed, Liberman said that Iran uses proxy groups in those countries. Is that a distinction without a difference?
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As NFL lovers have noted, there’s no separating politics from sports. Israel, yet again, has encountered athletes who refuse to compete against them because they’re Israeli. An Iranian wrestler forfeited an earlier bout so that he could avoid facing Israeli Uri Kalashnikov, who ended up winning the bronze medal at the 86-kilo category of the under-23 wrestling world championships in Poland.
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Dear Milwaukee,
The past few weeks were busy with activities. I felt like we are really starting to implement the theme for the 70th anniversary of Israel, “70 faces to Israel” with a variety of programs that start telling the complex and multifaceted story of Israeli society. I believe that reflecting on the 7 decades of Israel enables us to witness the changes and growth we had since it was established. You are all invited to visit my Facebook page where I dedicate each month to things you didn’t know about the 7 decades of Israel. This series of clips follow the trends that influenced Israeli culture.
#MilwaukeeCelebratesIsrael70
(with the help of the Nicolet Hebrew club kids, The BBYO kids, Molly Dubin from the Jewish Museum and our lovely Shinshins).
At the beginning of the month, we hosted the Israeli filmmakers, Esty and Elad Wexler who gave a wonderful program at Sinai congregation entitled “From the Melting Pot to Multiculturalism” about the evolution of Israeli film, a trend we could also notice in our film talkback we had at the Jewish film festival and the Jewish film class. Through the medium of film, we could see how Israeli society seems more open to listen to different voices and accept the existence of several cultures side by side, whether it is a traditional Sephardic community (Like the one in “The Women’s Balcony”) or the Bedouin community (Like the one in “Sand storm”)
I hope I can bring a wider look on Israel to the series of monthly talks starting this week at Ovation Chai Point, to the coming film talkbacks at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC and to the IsraelFest for high-schools with the Nicolet Hebrew honor society. We can use this deeper understanding of the American-Israeli Dialogues we will start having this month with Rabbi Hannah Wallick at the Shlichut house.
We can enjoy the richness of the modern Hebrew language at a series of Hebrew playdates at The Shul school and to a new Alpha Beit Soup get together (look for coming publications soon).
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Keren Weisshaus
Community Shlichah
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Destination Israel
By Danya Strait
Participating in Destination Israel was my chance to experience Tel Aviv as a resident - instead of a tourist - while also exploring a new professional field. I spent five and a half months with new friends from around the world learning about both public relations and Israel. One of my favorite aspects was the day and overnight trips we took with the program, many of which focused on learning more about Israel's other ethnic populations outside of Jews. It was eye-opening in a way that short trips to the country aren't. In the end, I realized 5.5 months wasn't enough - and made Aliyah. I highly recommend Masa and other shorter-term programs to anyone who wants to "try out" Israel for a longer time, or explore a potential new career path. Who knows where it might lead?
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American Israel Public Affairs Committee
December 4 * 7 pm
InterContinental Hotel, 139 East Kilbourn Ave.
Cutting Edge Israel: Contemporary Israeli Short Films,
The Little Dictator
and
A-Maiseh
December 5 * 7 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N Santa Monica Blvd.
Community Emissary Keren Weisshaus speaks at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
December 9 * 9 am
6880 N Green Bay Ave
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Community Wide Hanukkah celebration – with Israeli activities
December 11 * 4 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N Santa Monica Blvd.
Israeli-American Dialogue Group
December 11, January 8, February 15, March 12, * 6:30 pm
Private home
Chanukah Chorale Concert, including Israeli songs
December 10 * 12 pm, C
ongregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
December 12 * 7 pm,
Ovation Chai Point
December 18
* 7 pm
, Ovation Sarah Chudnow
nsider highlighting products or services, sales or promotions, personal bios, and
Cutting Edge Israel: Contemporary Israeli Short Films,
The Gravedigger’s Daughter
and
The Divide
December 21 * 7 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N Santa Monica Blvd.
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ABOUT
ISRAEL CENTER
The Israel Center, a department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, serves as Israel's central address in the greater Milwaukee community. Our mission is to create connections between the people of Israel and Milwaukee through cultural, professional, educational and travel experiences. These connections are developed in part through Shlichut and Partnership2Gether, two programs that are made possible through the Milwaukee Jewish Federation's partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
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ABOUT
JCRC
The Jewish Community Relations Council, a department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, builds strategic relationships to protect and defend Jews, individually and collectively. Our mission is to speak as the representative of the Jewish community on issues of public affairs and public policy by convening and mobilizing the Jewish community through education, advocacy, social justice, and support for Israel.
Learn more
here
or contact
Elana Kahn,, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council, at
414-390-5736.
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