Sorrow and Hope

Featured Stories

Hate Speech

“If ever a piece of writing could produce mass hatred, it is this one… This book is about lies and slander.” — Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in reference to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion Anti-Semitism is the oldest hatred in history. Secular historians refer to the first blatant anti-Jewish sentiment being

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BDS: Anti-Israel or Anti-Palestinian?

Freedom, justice and equality: That is the banner under which the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement rallies its troops to launch assaults against Israel. The battle strategy is nothing if not brilliant. Proponents of the project pride themselves on working to end Israel’s alleged cruel oppression of the Palestinians. And those who march on the

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Now It’s Your Turn to Protect and Defend

You were born 19 years ago, during the first months that we lived in Hoshaya [community in northern Israel]. For us, you symbolize our decision to make this community our permanent home. And now you too, Ari Benartzi, our third child, are enlisting in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]. You will join the ranks of

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Princess Alice: A Legacy of Courage

Prince William’s first official visit to Israel in July this year was marked by a special stopover at the Church of Mary Magdalene on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. He was there to visit the gravesite of his great-grandmother, Princess Alice. A Life of Hardship  Born into the British royal family in 1885,

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Did You Know? Surprising Facts about Israel and the Middle East

Global news headlines cover the Middle East—and Israel in particular—on what feels like a daily basis. With the abundance of information in near constant circulation, many people have reason to view themselves as experts on the Jewish state. However, there are facts about Israel, the Palestinians and the Middle East that are unknown to most.

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Irresponsible Journalism: Media Bias and the Gaza Riots

In the surge of media attention surrounding the Gaza riots earlier this year, one theme was prevalent: a virulent attack on the State of Israel and her right to defend her sovereign borders. The attack came with one of the most incisive weapons in the war for public opinion—the media. Misleading Headlines Shortly after the

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Welcome to Jerusalem

In May this year, the United States made history by becoming the first major world power to place its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. While this was certainly a momentous move, the City of Gold was shining long before US President Donald Trump recognized it as Israel’s capital. In fact, President Trump himself said the

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Hamas: Thirty Years of Terror

Rome. The Nazis. Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Assyria, Greece and the evil Haman. The chronicles of times gone by are littered with ancient regimes and rulers determined to annihilate the Jewish people. History teaches that those who led the charges to destroy the Jews were themselves ultimately destroyed, while Israel remained. History also teaches that

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The Earth Moves

Israel has in centuries past experienced some severe earthquakes. Testimony of this is found not only in archaeological and geological records, but also in the ancient biblical text. Scripture teaches that several significant past events were accompanied by great shakings in the natural world and it is foretold that future events will be also. While

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From Rosh HaShanah to Sukkot: Three Weeks of the Holy, Joyous and Awesome

The rhythm of life in Israel is governed by an annual cycle of feasts. The year flows from Passover through Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) and on to Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), infusing the everyday with the holy, joyous and awesome. Yet even amidst a calendar marked with times set aside to celebrate, the three-week period

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