Dispatch from Jerusalem

Indonesia to Play Tennis in Israel

In a major diplomatic milestone, Indonesia’s government says it will allow its women’s Fed Cup tennis team to compete in Israel. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation and has been a vocal critic of Israel, which is scheduled to host the World Group II playoff in July. The Indonesian tennis federation had originally asked for a change of venue, but Israel would not yield its right to host the event.

Tourism Jumps 30%

In January-April 2006, 695,000 tourists entered Israel, a 30% rise over the same period last year. Tourist traffic from North America surged 34% compared to the first four months of 2005. Arrivals from the United States came to 174,000 (up 42%), making that country the largest source of tourism to Israel.

Israel First in Strategy Games

Israel may not be taking part in the World Cup, but in thinking games, its students are world champions. In June, four Israelis won first place in the first Olympics for thinking games, which took place in the University of Oxford in Britain.

Makluba – Enjoying Middle Eastern Cuisine

Often, when my roommates and I have had guests from the nations at our Shabbat (Sabbath) table on Friday night, we have enjoyed serving them a Middle Eastern meal for a special cultural experience. My favorite choice is makluba, an upside-down chicken and rice dish. It has a delicious Middle Eastern flavor and lends to a very dramatic presentation––turning the hot pot upside-down into a perfectly molded creation.

Hamas: “No Peace, Ever, Without the Return of Millions of Arabs”

While worldwide attempts continue in an effort to moderate Hamas and have it agree to negotiate with Israel, Hamas issued a bellicose “Nakba Day” (Day of Catastrophe) proclamation, rendering all such efforts moot. The Arabs of the Palestinian Authority (PA) commemorate May 15—the date of the end of the British Mandate in 1948, which made room for the formation of the State of Israel—as their “Nakba Day.”

Syrian Cleric: “Bush, Britain, and the Jews Can Explode!”

“Hamas won [the elections], with Syria standing by it—in front of it, behind it, to its right, and to its left, and Bush can [go] explode…Bush can [go] explode, and all of Britain can [go] explode, along with all its supporters from among the Jews. The Jews must know that they will definitely be defeated. The hypocrites should also know…The leaders who tremble and fear for their thrones must also know that these thrones will not help them. These thrones will not spare them anything. This hollow drum will be to no avail on the day the real drum—the drum of Jihad—is beaten. This nation must devour these hypocrites and trample them underfoot.”

Ahmadinejad: “Let Israelis Return to Their Homelands”

Why do you think they [Jews] are safe in Palestine? These people, who left their homelands as a result of your [allies of WWII] pressure and anti-Judaism, went to a country that did not belong to them. Different minorities from different countries came to live side by side, just like pieces of paper joined together with a paper clip. They live in an atmosphere of insecurity on a daily basis. I’ve said this once, and I’ll say it again: Open the gates of this big prison. Allow these people to decide freely, and you will see that they will return to their homelands. Of course, you must first let go of your anti-Judaism. You must let go of it. We believe that just like the rest of mankind, the Jews have the right to live a life of prosperity, freedom, and security. Set them free, and let them return to their homelands.”

Face-2-Face

The beginning of something new…

On June 11, 2006, 45 young adults––mostly college students––went into the Judean desert for a unique face-to-face experience. What was interesting about this event is that it involved three different groups: 16 Jewish students from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya representing StandWithUs (SWU), 19 Christian students on a tour with Eagles’ Wings, and 5 long-term young adult volunteers from Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem. This was a face-to-face encounter aimed at bringing Christians and Jews together, young people who love the Land of Israel and have a passion for Zionism.

Loving God with All Your Life—Nephesh

The command to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind is the greatest commandment. It Is part of the Shema, the prayer that Jesus and all Jews since Him have prayed morning and evening to commit themselves to follow the Lord. When we think about those words, we tend to pass by the phrase “heart and soul” quickly, probably thinking that it means that we should love God with our spirit and emotions, and very passionately.

Searching for Israel’s Extremes

Gary, who is overseeing the new young adult outreach of Bridges for Peace, and I went for a ride a couple of days ago. We decided that somebody needed to have fun in Israel. Most of my tour groups feature folks with white hair and they generally define fun slightly different than a young adult’s definition. Gary is young—at least by my standards. I, on the other hand, occasionally have “young” ideas. I like adventure. In fact, I am likely to try something just because I’ve never done it before. I guess I never really grew up in some ways.