Category Archives: Israeli Society

Keeping the Jewish State

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

For the first time in its history, Israel’s government includes an Arab party. Arabs have sat in the Knesset since Israel’s founding, both as members of primarily Jewish parties and as representatives of various Arab parties. From time to time … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 6 Comments

The Meron Tragedy and Israel’s Autonomous Communities

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Forty-five people attending a festival to celebrate the holiday of Lag b’Omer at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mt. Meron were crushed to death last weekend, in a catastrophic but totally predictable stampede which – one official … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 1 Comment

Have the Jewish People Become too “WEIRD?”

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Earlier this week I wrote about what Yoram Hazony calls “The Virtue of Nationalism,” the idea that independent nation-states with ethnically homogeneous populations and limited borders provide a better opportunity to maximize individual freedom and satisfaction than large imperial conglomerations … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jews, Israeli Society, Zionism | 2 Comments

Thoughts on Yom Hazikaron

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

A few moments ago, at exactly 11 am, I went up to my roof to stand at attention for two minutes during the siren that honors the 23,928 people, soldiers and civilians, who have died since 1860 in the struggle … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Society, War | Comments Off on Thoughts on Yom Hazikaron

Why You Should Make Aliyah

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Even before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem there were colonies of Jews living outside of Eretz Yisrael. It’s true that they were unable to fulfil the mitzvot that were incumbent upon them, because they couldn’t participate in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Society, The Diaspora, The Jewish people, Zionism | 1 Comment

Setting National Goals

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

The burning issues in Israel’s election (coming in 10 days) seem to be about personalities and short-term issues like how to reopen the economy as we recover (at least, we hope we are recovering) from the Corona epidemic. Of course … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 1 Comment

“Who’s a Jew?” Hits the Headlines, Again

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Israel’s Supreme Court decided a few days ago that conversions to Judaism by the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel must be recognized by the state for the purposes of the Law of Return. Until now, the state has somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society, The Jewish people | 2 Comments

The Bedouins and the Jewish State

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Bedouins are tribal, nomadic Arabs, tracing their ancestry to the Arabian peninsula, who today live all over the Middle East and North Africa. Today there are at least 200,000 Bedouins in Israel, and the population is growing rapidly. They are … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Israeli Society | 1 Comment