"Judaism poll points to 'lost generation" by Sarah Secha

"Judaism poll points to 'lost generation" by Sarah Sechan. This article was just recently posted on the jerusalempost.com website. I actually found it quite interesting regarding the poll that was taken and what the results are. In the article it describes that " Four-fifths of secular Israelis and more than half of Israelis overall define their knowledge of Jewish practice and Jewish heritage as mediocre or lower..."(www.jerusalempost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277914749&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull). Wow, that is amazing to me. I also found it interesting that the Haredi community was higher in their overall knowledge. No wonder there really is a lot of tension among Israelis in both the secular and the religious. The secular want to be more modern and a part of this world, and the Haredi want to stay within their own community. It seems like no one will be willing to compromise.

I was just sent a link to One Jerusalem from some family members asking for us to vote on a united Jerusalem. I find this site very interesting. The link is www.onejerusalem.org. The page is setup with different questions and insights into pushing for a united Jerusalem. Interestingly enough too it is asking for us to unite and save Jerusalem from the Obama administration. It seems that the Obama administration is trying really hard to find a solution to the problem, but not really listening to what the Jewish people or even the Palestinians want.

Nakba

I just read an article at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1102099.html that talks about Israel banning the term "Nakba" from school textbooks. This is an arabic term which the Palestinians have used to describe the creation of Israel as a "catashtrophe." I find this article very interesting given what we just discussed in the forum relating to the discussions and how if any should the government "control" what the citizens are entitled to do and what they are not entitled to do. I don't think this necessarily relates to a religious divide among the ultra orthodox and the secular, but I do think it may cause an issue to those citizens that are not Jewish. Maybe this is a step towards the creation of two states where the Israeli side can begin to focus on being a Jewish State and the pride that comes with it. I guess it is also like things that occur here in the United States when parents feel their children should not be exposed to certain ideals because they themselves don't believe in it.

Billboard issues

I just read an article on the daily alert site about Gaza Conflict Sparks Billboard Battle in Texas. Apparently Pro Palestinian and Pro Israel billboards have appeared around Houston causing a lot of controversy over the conflict between Gaza and Israel. Particularly focusing on the children of Gaza and saving them from Hamas. I found this to interesting. That the conflict issues seem just as strong here with regards to opinions about the conflict. Not sure if the groups are Jewish groups in support of Israel or Christian groups in support for Israel.

Article about Facebook being an Israeli Scheme to Control the World

This is very humorous actually. The person writing article truly believes that Facebook, created by a Jew is a site to control the world. You really have to read it, it is funny to me. Seriously there are people out there that think that! See the article for yourself. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246296539930&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jerusalem Mayor backs a Zionist Rabbi

Thought this was an interesting article on the Jerusalem Post's website. That the Jerusalem mayor is backing a Zionist Rabbi. The mayor states "I believe that a chief rabbi, like a mayor, should be able to embrace all elements of Jerusalem's diverse populace and connect the entire Jewish people to Jerusalem, including secular Israelis who love Jerusalem and who serve in the army," said Barkat in an emotionally charged speech at the municipality building.(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184900508&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull). I find this is relevant to what we have been discussing and how the Mayor even believes that a person of high "power" or influence should really be able to work with and stand behind all parts of those who live in the city and find a way to unite all parties. Both religious and secular side.

I just read an interesting article on "The Myth of Imperial Zionists" by Eli Kavon on the Jerusalem Posts website. I find it very interesting that "Delegates at the UN and professors on university campuses worldwide brand the State of Israel the creation of a racist and colonialist European imperialism" (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184859050&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFul). No wonder people are anti-semetic or racist towards Jews. Propoganda really makes things worse for the State of Israel and its people. As can be seen from this article, history shows that the Jewish people have always had to struggle to find themselves and protect themselves. And the one thing they can have that would help that "State of Israel" is also thrown in our faces because it is believed that the "State of Israel" was created out of imperialists. Crazy. And, I found the article interesting that again it brings in the Holocaust and on some level, the State of Israel was only created because of the Holocaust. But, as we have read and learned, that is not true. I wish people would step back and see the truth.