Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Ritual Washing, Mindfulness, and New Beginnings (Exodus 30:17-21) August 31, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments In this verse, part of the parasha called Ki Tisa, Moses is commanded to make a brass pedestal and washing tub in which to place the water with which Aharon,…
Current Events Politically and Diplomatically Speaking Sam Harris: Not an Antisemite and Not Pro-Zionist August 28, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments Sam Harris thinks there is no rational basis for the existence of a national Jewish homeland in the Middle East (or anywhere else) because he does not support land claims…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses What Has Deuteronomy Got to Do with Bullies on Facebook? (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) August 27, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments The Torah verse in Deuteronomy, discussing false witness, may be particularly relevant to us now in the modern virtual era when bullies can tell lies that spread farther and faster…
Current Events Keeping Up With Our MKs Galon Uses Democracy to Proclaim That Israel Is Not Democratic August 26, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments While MK Zehava Galon claims that the Israeli government wants to suppress free speech and muzzle the Left, the fact that she can bad-mouth the country’s leaders and lie to…
Academic & Journalistic Topics Book Reviews Gifts Read “Catch the Jew” to Understand the Complexity of Life in Israel August 22, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments Disguising himself as a German reporter, Tenenbom interviews the huge variety of public and private personalities that populate this little piece of real estate called Israel and the Palestinian Authority.…
Gifts Special Gift Guides Sukkot Gifts and an Invitation to a Sukkot Meal August 20, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments For the full week of the Sukkot holiday, Jews traditionally eat their meals in a temporary shelter, called a sukkah, in the yard or on the balcony. Children’s drawings and…
Current Events Keeping Up With Our MKs How the Knesset Passes Laws: A Guide for the Perplexed Like Me August 20, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments I always had a very rudimentary understanding of how bills get passed into law in this country but aspects of the process had me confused, and for some reason, I…
Getting to Know Israel Haifa Introduction to Haifa August 19, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments I have lived in Haifa since 1986. After having moved around a bit within the city and in the neighbouring towns, I have finally settled in Bat Galim, a neighbourhood…
Current Events Keeping Up With Our MKs Hanin Zoabi – Not Just a Hot-Headed Rabble Rouser August 17, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments Does Hanin Zoabi do anything other than ride the waves on boats that seek to illegally enter Israeli waters, march with those who would accuse our army of genocide, or…
Current Events Politically and Diplomatically Speaking Hamas Now Begging For What Gaza Was Freely Offered in 2005 August 17, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments Until 2005, Israeli soldiers roamed the Gaza Strip trying to keep order among people who hated them. Naturally. I would also hate a foreign military keeping me from travelling freely…