Monday, July 11, 2011

Religion and State in Israel - July 11, 2011 (Section 1)

Religion and State in Israel

July 11, 2011 (Section 1) (see also Section 2)

If you are reading in email or RSS feed, please click here to read ONLINE

Editor – Joel Katz

Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.

All rights reserved.


Identity theft: A national epidemic

By David Breakstone Opinion www.jpost.com July 8, 2011

The writer is vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization and a member of The Jewish Agency Executive. The opinions expressed here are his own.

...The conversion certificate Veronica received from the Masorti Movement after she emerged from the mikve with tears in her eyes is not recognized by the Chief Rabbinate, the only institution in this country with the authority to register Jewish marriages.

So the Jewish wedding they had their hearts set on would have to be performed by a Masorti rabbi.


Does this video signal end of conversion war?

By Nathan Jeffay www.thejc.com July 7, 2011

Click here for embedded video

In the act of giving one man an ID card, Israel's Interior Ministry has helped to significantly improve the forecast for Israel-diaspora relations.

A few days ago, and after a long campaign for citizenship that included a web video, Canadian-born Thomas Dohlan collected his Israeli identity card.

What makes this so significant is that Mr Dohlan had been suffering since his arrival in Israel in February from a new, hard-line aliyah policy that made diaspora leaders seethe.


The making of Religious Zionist extremists

By Yair Sheleg Opinion www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

The time has come when, in the religious community itself, there should be a central moral criterion for judging words of Torah.

A person can be familiar with the casuistry of halakha more than anyone else, but if his conclusion leads to a racist position, and how much more so to halakhic instructions that permit the shedding of the blood of gentiles, his theory must be rejected out of hand.


A Halakhic state in fact

By Merav Michaeli Opinion www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

The civil state of Israel, through its secular leaders and politicians, has, ever since the day it was founded, willingly ceded its sovereign authority over numerous matters to the religious establishment.

...In principle, the Knesset is still sovereign. This means that it could, by ordinary majority vote - a special majority is not even needed - change these laws and restore its own authority to decide on all these matters.

It could instantly change the nature of the battle over the character of the Jewish state such that it could also be democratic. All that is needed is a leader, a man or a woman with vision, who will actually do so.


A threat to the rule of law

By Don Futterman Opinion www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

Don Futterman is program director for Israel of the Moriah Fund, a private American foundation which supports Yod Bet B'Heshvan, a founding member of the Brit Hoshech Legaresh coalition against racism and political violence in Israel.

It's only possible to imagine Jews engaging in this kind of theorizing when we were the powerless victims of violence by our non-Jewish neighbors, often with the sanction of state or church; in other words, when we were incapable of acting on such revenge fantasies.

In our world - clearly not the same as the author's - in which we have both power and responsibility, attempting to make such determinations would be abhorrent even as a thought experiment.


Choosing between the law and the Torah

By Jonah Mandel www.jpost.com July 8, 2011

Bar-Ilan University law professor Yedidia Stern, who is vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute and one of the country’s foremost experts on the tensions between state and religion, firmly rejects the notion that a rabbi – or anyone, for that matter – can independently decide that he should not be subject to an investigation.

“A person cannot be exempt from the rule of law, just because he has a subjective feeling that the law is being applied in a non-egalitarian manner,” said Stern.

“Allowing every person to decide when they think they should be investigated and when not is a formula for chaos. Imagine a Muslim sheikh – a religious leader like Lior, only from a different religion – being summoned for investigation on incitement.

Would we think that he is allowed to say, I don’t want to be investigated because my sector is discriminated [against]?” The place to raise charges of discriminatory implementation of the law is in court, he added.

...“Once rabbis decide that they want to express their opinion not only from a spiritual point of view, but also from a halachic one, on issues like foreign and security policy; not only on issues like Shabbat and kashrut, but also on the borders of the land, peace and the attitude to Arabs – there will be a harsh collision.”


We must stop Israel from becoming a theocracy

Democracy vs. God

By Shaul Arieli Opinion www.haaretz.com July 6, 2011

Whose power is greater? The rule of law set by institutions with democratically elected officials, or the rule of rabbis who make decisions in accordance with the Torah?

...Should Israel be a democracy in which a minority enjoys equal rights, or an ethnocracy for Jews who believe that their right to the Land of Israel is greater than any other human right?


A torn skullcap

By Avirama Golan Opinion www.haaretz.com July 6, 2011

Why, with the exception of weak and polite protests that are usually heard in very closed circles, does this huge community let one group - destructive, dangerous and violent - lead it by the nose?

...One's heart goes out to the religious community that is writhing in silence in light of this unbridled behavior.

But isn't it their silence, which is backed by reverence for what this community calls "values" (unlike vacuous secular people), that gave Lior, Levanon and their friends the crucial seal of approval to lead us all toward the abyss?


Religion and state: No need for conflict

By Roni Aloni-Sadovnik Opinion www.israelhayom.com July 5, 2011

Those that say that we must choose between a Jewish state or a democratic state are threatening us unnecessarily, as there is no need to choose between the two, but, rather, to combine them properly.


Liebhaber Prize for Religious Tolerance


World enough and time

A soldier for sexual equality

By Aviva Lori www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

Interview with Prof. Alice Shalvi

"We're very far from being a democracy," she says. "We do not have true equality between men and women or social equality. People tell me that men and women are not the same.

Obviously, the whole issue of equality concerns differences between people. I'm talking about equality before the law, as is written in the Scroll of Independence. That does not exist and will not exist as long as there is Orthodox control over so many aspects of personal status. And that's a scandal."

...And there's no democracy with a theocracy - which is the real Achilles' heel, the soft underbelly of the country, in Shalvi's view. And this is where her pain and frustration are especially acute."


The Left has always persecuted Orthodox Jews

Between the skullcaps

By Gideon Levy Opinion www.haaretz.com July 7, 2011

We must not let all the religious be painted in the same color, even if the price is state allocations and allowances. This is a fateful issue, as they are on the verge of becoming a majority. It is therefore time to go backward and walk between the skullcaps once again.


Two bills to help women attain a 'get' pass Law c'tee

By Jonah Mandel and Ruth Eglash www.jpost.com July 5, 2011

Two bills aimed at alleviating the woes of women whose husbands refuse them divorces passed the Knesset Law Committee on Tuesday, ahead of votes in the plenum.

The proposed law put forth by MK Othniel Schneller of Kadima, initiated by the Mavoi Satum (Dead End) NGO, determines that rabbinic courts will have to hold a hearing on a recalcitrant husband within a maximum of 45 days from when the court ordered he give his wife a get (Jewish divorce). At the hearing, the judges will debate whether to issue sanctions on the husband.

These two bills together will now make the rabbinic courts obligated to set a date for a divorce, and if that does not happen it will pave the way for imposing sanctions.


Israel must grant all citizens the right to civil marriage

Women under siege

Editorial www.haaretz.com July 6, 2011

The right to marry and to start a family is a basic civil right, as is a woman's right to equality in all areas of life.

If Israel is still interested in being considered an open society and a progressive country, it must implement the recommendations of the UN commission, and enable all of its citizens to marry, divorce and live equally.


UN committee: Israel must allow civil marriage

By Gili Cohen www.haaretz.com July 5, 2011

There is no meaningful equality in Israel between men and women when it comes to matters relating to marriage and family relationships, according to a new UN report.

The report was compiled by a panel of experts overseeing implementation of the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The panel submitted its conclusions to Israeli authorities in February of this year.


A Gay-Friendly Israel Is Complicated for Jewish LGBT Congregations

By Ben Sales http://forward.com June 22, 2011

Some LGBT congregational leaders said that the conventional communal consensus on Israel is less relevant for their mostly denominationally unaffiliated congregations than it is for mainstream synagogues.

And the issue of pluralism, they stressed, is central to their own bedrock identity as gay religious communities.


Israeli military enlisting frontline rabbis

By Jeffrey Heller www.reuters.com July 4, 2011

The Israeli military is mustering battlefield rabbis in what it calls a campaign to promote religious values in its frontline ranks.

The move, announced in the latest issue of the military's official weekly magazine, Bamahane, drew fire on Monday from one of Israel's most popular newspaper columnists, who cautioned against creating a "God's Army."

In the new program, which goes into effect in August, the battalion rabbis have been ordered to serve as examples of "educational and moral values," the Bamahane article said.


IDF Chief of Staff Gantz: “I Thank Rabbi Haim Druckman in the Name of the IDF”

www.israelnationalnews.com July 7, 2011

An event commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Ohr Etzion hesder (lit. ‘arrangement’, the program whereby students combine Torah study with IDF service) Yeshiva at Merkaz Shapira took place on Wednesday evening.

The Rabbi of Ramat-Gan, Rabbi Ya’acov Ariel, was the keynote speaker who praised the yeshiva for its achievements.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz arrived to congratulate the thousands of graduates and students of the Ohr Etzion Yeshiva. This was the first visit for the new COS at a hesder yeshiva.


VIDEO: Siach Conversation

http://leadel.net July 7, 2011

Somewhere on a small lake in the woods of Connecticut (a.k.a Isabella Freedman) an unusual group of 120 Jews, young and old with a common goal of bettering the world through environmental action and social justice got together.

Coming from all corners of the world they embarked on a journey. Exploring their common ancestral origin, faith and homeland. Learning there is still much to bridge between themselves in this complex world on the way to repair it - Tikkun Olam.

Click here for embedded video


Torn

By Rabbi Dr. Ron Kronish Opinion http://icciblog.wordpress.com July 4, 2011

Can one be a Jew and a Catholic at the same time?

...Near the end of the long question and answer period after the film, I asked him about his application to become a citizen of Israel at the Ministry of the Interior.

In response, the director of the film read a recent letter received from the Ministry in which they have agreed to grant him permanent resident status in Israel for 3 years.

The letter also states that after the 3 years, he will be permitted to apply to become a citizen. This somewhat positive response, she said, is a result of the publicity surrounding the case in the Israeli press, which followed the premier screening of the film in Tel Aviv at the DocAviv film festival in May.


Getting Birthright Wrong

By Philip Getz Opinion www.jewishideasdaily.com July 6, 2011

Philip Getz is assistant editor of the Jewish Review of Books

In the next generation will a higher percentage of young Jewish Americans be committed to Jewish continuity and feel strongly connected to the state of Israel?

Part of the answer depends on whether organized Jewry can provide the resources necessary for Birthright alumni to capitalize on their enthusiasm upon their return. But the prospects, at this reading, are better than even—which is more than appeared likely a decade ago.


Study: Russian-speaking immigrants moving further right on Israeli political spectrum

By Gili Cohen www.haaretz.com July 6, 2011

The survey questioned some 600 immigrants, of whom almost one-fourth would not be defined as Jewish according to Jewish law. Al-Haj said the latter group actually had more liberal attitudes toward the country's Arab citizens than did veteran Israelis. But they, too, were more hawkish with regard to the Israeli-Arab conflict.


Funding Peoplehood: Why the Jewish Community Should Care About an Unsexy Cause

By Misha Galperin Opinion http://forward.com July 5, 2011

Misha Galperin is the new CEO and President of Jewish Agency International Development and the co-author of “The Case for Jewish Peoplehood: Can We Be One?” (Jewish Lights).

I believe it is time to get the major institutions and philanthropists who work on the peoplehood agenda in a room for several days of creative brainstorming on how we can make this work together.

Jewish leaders understand that Jewish giving today will have to be based less on urgency and more on the subtleties and complexities of modern Jewish life. We just haven’t figured out a collective approach.

We have no choice but to seize this historical imperative. It’s about time.


Jewish Agency rebuffs MK's claim it discriminates against settlements

By Raphael Ahren www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

The Jewish Agency this week refuted claims made recently by Likud MK Danny Danon that the organization discriminates against Jewish communities in the West Bank.

Two weeks ago, the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs held a session in Ariel about the immigration and absorption of newcomers to Jewish communities in the West Bank.


The million missing Israelis

By Joseph Chamie and Barry Mirkin http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com July 5, 2011

Joseph Chamie is research director at the Center for Migration Studies, and Barry Mirkin is an independent consultant.

Moreover, not only is Israeli emigration increasing the influence of the orthodox Jewish communities, it is also boosting the need for temporary, non-Jewish foreign workers, especially in agriculture, construction, and care-giving.

The presence of more than 200,000 foreign workers -- nearly half of whom are unauthorized and mainly from Asia (in particular Thailand and the Philippines, but also increasingly from Africa) -- is also contributing to the changing ethnic composition of the country.


VIDEO: Kolot Executive Leadership program

Click here for embedded video

KOLOT envisions an Israeli leadership motivated by our collective history, shared values, ethics and moral teachings.

We seek to enable our leaders to reclaim their Jewish identity with a learning experience that is pluralistic, current and relevant.

Since its founding in 1997, over 1,500 Israelis have graduated from KOLOT with 500 people currently studying in our diverse variety of programming.


Simon Rockower 2010 Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism

http://www.ajpa.org

The Simon Rockower Award is a prestigious award given for "Excellence in Jewish Journalism". The award is sponsored by the American Jewish Press Association.


Jerusalem hoopsters play for kugel in inter-shul league

By Nir Hasson www.haaretz.com July 7, 2011

The league was set up by congregations, with the municipality's support. Eight synagogues competed for the title.

Baka neighborhood synagogue Nitzanim ultimately won, beating out the neighboring Rambam synagogue.


A First for Emunah: Trained Rabbinical Family Counselors

By David ben Yacov www.israelnationalnews.com July7, 2011

Midreshet Emunah, the National Religious Zionist Women's Organization's Jerusalem-based seminary for training family therapists joined the organizations Family Development Division in order to meet this problem head on and create a unique course for community rabbis, aimed at training rabbis and educators to become professional advisors and counselors on all issues related to family and marriage.


VIDEO: Ziggy Marley: I'm jealous of Jewish culture

By Rafi Barbiro www.ynetnews.com July 10, 2011

Ziggy Marley feels very close to Israel. He's married to Orly, an Israeli woman, and they have three children: A girl named Judah Victoria, a boy called Gideon, and a baby - Abraham Selassie.

Marley admits that, having no other choice, he celebrates all the Jewish holidays and is very jealous of our culture.

If ad appears, click smaller arrow on rt. to activate video


Religion and State in Israel

July 11, 2011 (Section 1) (see also Section 2)

Editor – Joel Katz

Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.

All rights reserved.

Religion and State in Israel - July 11, 2011 (Section 2)

Religion and State in Israel

July 11, 2011 (Section 2) (see also Section 1)

If you are reading in email or RSS feed, please click here to read ONLINE

Editor – Joel Katz

Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.

All rights reserved.


All sides get it wrong in Israel's religious wars

By Rabbi Eric Yoffie Opinion www.jpost.com July 5, 2011

The writer is President, Union for Reform Judaism

These incidents are indicative of the deep mistrust and even hatred that exist between religious and secular elements of Israeli society. Such attitudes are to be found nowhere else in the Jewish world, and that is not surprising.

The reason for this hostility is that Israel has a coercive, monopolistic religious establishment—and in every case in human history, without a single exception, such establishments undermine rather than advance religious life.

The time has come to dismantle Israel’s religious establishment, and by so doing to diminish hatred, increase understanding, and strengthen Torah in the Jewish state.


Rabbi Hartman's heartfelt answer to the heartless rabbis

By Gil Troy Opinion www.jpost.com July 5, 2011


I would prefer to see Israelis debating Rabbi Hartman’s grand ideas than those of the hateful little rabbis. I would prefer to see Israel, Zionism, and Judaism judged by Hartman’s pluralism and openness than by the provincial Yeshiva hooligans swarming the Supreme Court.

While I am sure his publisher and the Shalom Hartman Institute he founded – where I have a research fellowship – have a publicity plan, maybe someone knows an overzealous police captain who wants to ban the book, and help it sell?


Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira's new book: Employing Arabs bad for Israel

By Jonah Mandel and jpost.com staff www.jpost.com July 4, 2011

Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira who wrote the controversial Torat Hamelech said a new book he is planning to release will claim, based on Halacha, that employment of Arabs is dangerous to Israel, Army Radio reported Monday.


Ashkenazi-Haredi girls school improves on discrimination

By Jonah Mandel www.jpost.com July 8, 2011

Nearly two months after a scathing State- Comptroller’s report on the topic, principals of the secondary Ashkenazi-haredi schools for girls and the Beit Yaakov network sent a letter to the Education Ministry detailing the ways they were preventing racial discrimination in accepting candidates to their institutions.

...In very apropos timing, a pamphlet was distributed on Wednesday calling on the haredi public to donate to the private school that was founded last year, after the court agreed that Emmanuel might have a school for the hassidic track which didn’t easily accept Sephardi girls and was the casus belli for the court petition – but it would receive no public funding.


New Jewish group wants to restore polygamy

By Jonah Mandel www.jpost.com July 11, 2011

A new organization is trying to reinstate polygamy into mainstream Orthodox Judaism, despite it being against the contemporary norm of Jewish law, and prohibited by the state.

The idea is the brainchild of Habayit Hayehudi Hashalem (The Complete Jewish Household).

The man behind the ad, Rabbi Yehezkel Sopher, saw no legal problem in his initiative.

“This is not about secular people who abide by the rules of the state, rather religious people. Whoever wants to take another wife – the Torah does not object to it,” Sopher told The Jerusalem Post. “We work according to the Shulhan Aruch, there are rules here.”


Secular activists: Police ignoring Haredi attacks on Jerusalem Sabbath traffic

By Nir Hasson and Yair Ettinger www.haaretz.com July 10, 2011

Police are turning a blind eye to ultra-orthodox efforts to block traffic on a central Jerusalem street every Saturday, with hundreds of religious men often resorting to violence in a bid to prevent cars from desecrating Shabbat, secular activists reported on Sunday.

The ultra-orthodox activists have attempted to close off the street using dumpsters, and have been known to attack private cars trying to drive down the usually bustling road.


Reporters change an insular Jewish world

By Matti Friedman AP www.forbes.com July 6, 2011


In the insular world of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel, the fact that the news is being reported is itself important news.

...The ultra-Orthodox are experiencing an unprecedented proliferation of Internet sites, radio stations, call-in news lines and newspapers increasingly independent of rabbinic control and willing to touch topics that might seem entirely mundane to an outsider but which, in the confines of this religious community, have long been taboo.


Keeping Young Women Hidden — at the Expense of Their Bodies

By Elana Maryles Sztokman Opinion http://blogs.forward.com July 7, 2011

Despite my earlier post, it now appears that Rabbi Yizhak Silberstein did support the idea that a girl whose mother refused to buy her “religious clothes” should cut her legs in order to force the mother’s hand.

An apparent recording of the rabbi’s discussion of this topic surfaced on the Internet today, in which he says that girl deserves the “highest praise” for sanctifying God’s name with her absolute dedication to Torah.


Did a Rabbi Permit Self-Mutilation To Promote 'Modesty'?

By Elana Maryles Sztokman Opinion http://blogs.forward.com July 5, 2011

[see follow-up post]

If the story is true — and it admittedly sounds like the kind of story you can’t make up — then this is a shame.

I would have liked to use this column as an opportunity to talk about body image among Orthodox women and girls, about how the issue of self-mutilation needs to be addressed and about how far Orthodox culture is from understanding the impact of body control on girls’ inner lives. But instead, this story has made me wonder about the knee-jerk hatred of religion in the media.


Chief Rabbinate ‘against’ shackle-and-hoist method

By Jonah Mandel www.jpost.com July 8, 2011

The Chief Rabbinate says it’s doing its upmost to bring an end to the shackle-and-hoist method applied to cattle slaughtered in South American abattoirs for meat exported to Israel.

Last year, media reports quoted Avi Blumenthal, a top aide to Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger, as setting the end of 2011 as a deadline for the slaughterhouses to stop attaching chains to the legs of fully conscious cattle in order to hoist them into position for ritual slaughter.


A Vote Against the Chief Rabbinate

www.israelnationalnews.com July 6, 2011

The Knesset has rejected the Law amendment proposal of MK Ya’acov Katz (Ketzaleh) that was meant to empower only the chief rabbinate to administer Kashrut certificates.

Up to now, the High Court could compel a rabbi to certify as kosher even an establishment run by a Jew who converted to another religion. Despite the personal request of the chief rabbis, the proposal was rejected 36-4.


Secret deal between religious parties could fill empty seats on rabbinical court

By Yair Ettinger www.haaretz.com July 7, 2011

The Rabbinical Court Judges Appointment Committee is scheduled to meet today to select four new judges for the Rabbinical High Court. The panel, chaired by Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman, is to make its choice based on an agreement among the religious political parties.

...The candidate considered most likely to be named to the Ashkenazi Haredi slot is Rabbi Nahum Prawer, although women's groups have fought the choice.

...Their opposition is based mainly on Prawer's use of an ancient ruling that allowing men to set economic terms before granting their wives a divorce.


CNN VIDEO: Cell phones go ‘kosher’

Click here for embedded video


How many children is enough?

By Tamar Rotem www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

A study conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics on fertility among Jewish and Muslim women, covering the years 1979-2009, noted interesting trends in Haredi society - among them, a drop from an average 7.6 births per woman some six to seven years ago to 6.5 births three years ago. It also showed that the peak age in terms of fertility is 30.

Sociologist Tamar Elor:
“...The power of poverty has hit the Haredi community hard. In the present generation it is difficult to justify being poor in the name of religious piety."


Western Wall rabbi targeted with threats & harassment

By Ari Galahar www.ynetnews.com July 6, 2011


Who is trying to hurt Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch? The Western Wall rabbi received a personal bodyguard several weeks ago after getting telephone threats and being harassed on a regular basis for the past few months.

In the past month, unknown assailants threw stones at the rabbi's car. Luckily, he wasn't hurt. In a separate incident, the car's tires were slashed.


The Sunday imperative

Jpost.com Editorial www.jpost.com July 7, 2011

Transforming Sunday into a second day off would also alleviate religious tensions. Shabbat is now the only full day that Israelis do not work.

For the more traditional-minded who adhere to the strictures of Jewish law, there is no day that can be set aside for leisurely activities – such as traveling, shopping, going to sports events – that are enjoyable but which would entail the desecration of Shabbat.

...Turning Sunday into a second day off would make it easier to invest Shabbat with the meaning envisioned by the Torah, the prophets and Jewish tradition, so befitting a Jewish state.


Netanyahu to decide fate of 5-day work week in Fall

By Gil Hoffman www.jpost.com July 4, 2011

Finance Minister Steinitz said it was more right for Israelis to have Fridays off, because of the Jewish identity of Israel and the Muslim sabbath. His associates said he would also consider having the work week end a couple hours earlier on Thursdays.

When Steinitz asked Shalom sarcastically why he didn't promote a shorter work week when he was finance minister, Shalom said the government was toppled before he could.

Shalom's associates said Steinitz did not understand the proposal properly. Coalition chairman Ze'ev Elkin, who has proposed giving Sundays off in a private member's bill, said giving off Fridays would not solve the problem of religious consumers being left out of the weekend marketplace at a time when the Sabbath-observing population is growing.


A two-day weekend in Israel?

The writer is a former Jerusalem Post editorial page editor, and is now contributing editor to Jewish Ideas Daily, where this article was first published.

By Elliot Jager Opinion www.jpost.com July 11, 2011

While some in the national religious sector have long favored the Sunday option, others are more wary.

They like the idea of having a day off to do some of the same things their secular friends do, but worry that they will not have enough time, after working a shortened Friday, to prepare for Shabbat or travel to distant family before sundown. Others are dubious that having Sundays off will actually reduce desecration of the Sabbath.

And the more insular ultra-Orthodox are vehemently opposed to Sundays on the grounds that it is a Christian rest day.


Do computers confirm - or deny - the Torah’s divinity?

By David Shamah www.jpost.com July 4, 2011

Together with several other professors, Koppel’s system analyzes word use in a document to determine information about an “unknown author,” figuring out his/her gender, demographics, personality, cultural background, etc.

The texts are analyzed by a computer using specially designed algorithms, which the team says has a very high level of accuracy.

In a landmark paper on the subject, Koppel, along with fellow researchers Shlomo Argamon, Jonathan Schler and James W. Pennebaker, wrote that “authorship profiling can help police identify characteristics of the perpetrator of a crime when there are too few (or too many) specific suspects to consider,” or help corporate officials analyze blogs and postings on websites to sharpen their message.


Turning Joseph into a Jewish fanatic

By Anshel Pfeffer Opinion www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

Of course, no serious archaeologist or historian believes the sheikh's grave in Nablus is really the final resting place of one of the most fascinating characters of the bible. But when did serious academic research ever count for anything in these matters?

For various mystical reasons, Joseph, son of Jacob, has come to symbolize for certain factions of Orthodoxy, the epitome of Jewish fanaticism (they see that as a good thing).

...Joseph could have been a unifying figure, a symbol of forgiveness to brothers, a bridge between Jews and the outside world, encompassing tradition and modernity. Instead, we have once again surrendered to the most racist, parochial and violent minority of the Jewish people.


Chief Rabbi Says Religious Must "Settle" Israel's Cities Too

By Gil Ronen www.israelnationalnews.com July 7, 2011

The Chief Sephardic Rabbi, Rav Shlomo Amar, said Wednesday that in its idealistic rush to settle Judea and Samaria, the religious population had not "settled' Israel’s cities until the Torah Nucleus Groups were created and began to fill the gap.


Drop-outs can repair the rifts

By Miriam Shaviv Opinion www.thejc.com July 8, 2011

Hadatlashim - a slang Hebrew acronym that stands for hadati'im leshe'avar, or "the formerly religious" -- by Poriya Gal Gatz, charts the inner lives of Israelis who have abandoned tradition, and examines what they have in common.

...So while I mourn every Jew who abandons religion, it is heartening to see a group that can potentially cross bridges; that has genuine sympathies with, and ties to, both groups. Israel desperately needs to mend its religious rift. With time, this disaster for the Orthodox camp may yet turn out to be a blessing for the nation.


IDF to allow organized visits to Joseph's Tomb once every three weeks

By Chaim Levinson www.haaretz.com July 8, 2011

The Israel Defense Forces is set to increase the frequency of organized visits to Joseph's Tomb in Nablus to once every three weeks.

The army has been reviewing its procedures since the killing of worshipper Ben-Yosef Livnat near the site by Palestinian police in April. Livnat was taking part in an unorganized visit.


1,300 Jewish worshippers visit Joseph's Tomb to mark death of biblical figure

By Anshel Pfeffer www.haaretz.com

[A] veteran police officer in the Samara and Judea District who was present at the tomb said he wasn't sure security forces would be able to keep up the pace.

"It is not certain that we can provide all these forces from now on every time people want to go to pray at the tomb," he said.


4 arrested for desecration of 20 tombs on Mt. of Olives

By Melanie Lidman www.jpost.com July 8, 2011

Three Arab boys from A-Tur in east Jerusalem neighborhood were arrested on Thursday for allegedly destroying at least 20 tombstones on the Mount of Olives over the past few months.

The damage was done in the cemetery’s American section.


Deri and Shas deserve each other

By Rabbi Haim Amsalem Opinion www.jpost.com July 5, 2011

The writer is founder and chairman of the Am Shalem political movement.


My answer to all those interested in the possibility of collaboration between me and Arye Deri is that a partnership between me and the person who bequeathed to Shas the extremist ideology that goes against the joint sharing of the national burden (with all citizens serving in the IDF or performing national/civil service), who is against the integration of Torah and livelihood, and is also against solving the painful problem of conversions in Israel – all out of a paralyzing fear of extremist elements – cannot take place. There is simply no common ground.


'Shabbat phones' for Netanyahu aides

By Itamar Eichner www.ynetnews.com July 8, 2011

A newly-purchased device will enable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to his religious advisers during Shabbat.

Netanyahu's bureau employs the highest number of religious workers since Israel's establishments and most of his aides are observing Jews.


Glenn Beck and Knesset Member to ascend Temple Mount next week

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu www.israelnationalnews.com July 6, 2011

Glenn Beck and Knesset Member Danny Danon plan to ascend the Temple Mount next week. Beck also will speak with a Knesset committee that Danon heads.


Will the Temple Mount Excavations Report Go Public?

www.israelnationalnews.com July 6, 2011

The Knesset State Control Committee will decide on whether or not to publicize the confidential details of the state comptroller’s report on the temple mount Muslim WAKF excavations.


Religion and State in Israel

July 11, 2011 (Section 2) (see also Section 1)

Editor – Joel Katz

Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.

All rights reserved.