Israel

Israeli Govt. to Amend Adoption Law, Give Same-Sex Couples Equal Rights

by JTA | Sep 18, 2017 | International, Israel, News

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Israeli government said it would amend adoption law in the country to give same-sex couples equal rights. The state on Sunday made the announcement during a hearing at the Supreme Court in response to a petition regarding adoption by same-sex and...

Israeli Diplomat Speaks at Jewish National Fund Breakfast

by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Sep 14, 2017 | Baltimore, Israel, Local, Maryland, News, Pikesville

Ron Prosor loves telling a good story. The former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations recalled once having a speaking engagement and noticing an audience member stand up and starting to walk out. “I asked him where he was going and he said, ‘Out to get a...

Why Israel Went Wild Over $1,000-Plus Crocodile-Skin Kippahs

by Andrew Tobin, JTA | Sep 14, 2017 | Business, International, Israel, News

JERUSALEM (JTA) — For a few days, exotic animal-skin kippahs were something of a sensation in Israel. Curious locals and journalists rushed to a Judaica store in the Old City here to marvel at the new luxury-marketed crocodile, python and cowhide Jewish head...

Terrorist Attacks on Israelis Doubled in July

by JTA | Aug 25, 2017 | International, Israel, News

(JTA) — Israel’s security services last month recorded 222 terrorist attacks against Israelis, the highest number in any month since December 2015. The attacks resulted in the killing of five Israelis — two police officers shot by terrorists and three members of one...

Temple Beth Shalom Members Win Medals at Maccabiah Games

by Jeff Seidel | Aug 2, 2017 | International, Israel, News, Sports

Neil Schechter has traveled to Israel frequently but his recent trip held a special meaning. Schechter, who works with Pikesville-based Klein Enterprises, went to Israel for the recent Maccabiah Games, where he won a gold medal in the men’s masters division in tennis...

Jared Kushner on Israeli-Palestinian Peace: ‘There May be No Solution’

by Ben Sales, JTA | Aug 2, 2017 | International, Israel, News

NEW YORK (JTA) — If Jared Kushner is the only person who can deliver Middle East peace — as his father-in-law Donald Trump said — he comes off as a reluctant savior. In a speech delivered on Aug. 31 to a group of congressional interns and leaked to...

Why More Israelis are Moving to the U.S.

by Ben Sales, JTA | Aug 1, 2017 | International, Israel, News

NEW YORK (JTA) — Six years ago, the Israeli government released a series of controversial ads to show its expatriates that they would never feel at home in the United States. But last year, Israeli Cabinet members lined up to address a Washington, D.C.,...

Gay Israeli Celebs Decry State Opposition to Same-Sex Adoption

by Andrew Tobin, JTA | Jul 20, 2017 | International, Israel, News, Politics

TEL AVIV (JTA) – Israel may pride itself on being an oasis of LGBT tolerance in the otherwise hostile Middle East, but many gay citizens are less than wowed. On Sunday, the government came out in favor of effectively preventing adoption by same-sex couples. Responding...

Alan Gross, After 5 Years in Cuban Prison, Starting Over in Israel

by Ron Kampeas, JTA | Jul 13, 2017 | Commentary, International, Israel, Maryland, News

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Alan Gross contacted me a couple of months ago over Facebook Messenger. There was something he thought I should know. I was pleasantly surprised. I’d only exchanged pleasantries with Gross in the several times I’d seen him since...

Baltimore Wrestler Wins Gold at International Games in Israel

by Jeff Seidel | Jul 11, 2017 | Baltimore, College Sports, International, Israel, Local, Maryland, National, News, Sports

Owings Mills native Jack Mutchnik won a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling yesterday, July 10, at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. A red-shirt junior (third-year of varsity competition) at American University who wrestled at his alma mater, St. Paul’s...