Archive
Egyptians are celebrating in the streets, but Israel is worried. Here’s why Israel should support the democratic revolution in Cairo–and follow the example of Syria in 1979.
While most were prepping for the week ahead, a contingent of dedicated dancers was breaking it down at Vancouver ’s Commodore Ballroom. It was a chilly Sunday night, but the allure of seeing Israeli band Balkan Beat Box perform live proved to be irresistible. BBB did not disappoint. Their eclectic style of music is innovative […]
The J Street Conference, a weekend-long affair from which myself and New Voices Editor Ben Sales have just returned, was an odd experience for me. On the one hand, my personal politics bring me to sympathize with J Street. On the other hand, I usually don’t know what to think about specific issues within the […]
My 20 year old brother has finally started asking me about how to apply for Birthright. He’s not alone. Birthright has just received a record-breaking number of applicants. What can an older sister say to her pre-birthright brother? I only want what’s best for him. I don’t think that Birthright is the most authentic version […]
On a rainy Friday afternoon, my friends and I were released into the Jerusalem shook (marketplace). There were only a few hours until Shabbat and the streets were so crowded, it was nearly impossible to see the ground beneath my feet. There were so many hurried bodies and bulging bags, it was easy to get […]
This past weekend, I joined over 70 other Conservative Jewish college students at the KOACH Kallah, hosten by Northwestern University this year. The Kallah is a convention to bring together Conservative Jewish leaders from coast to coast for an enthusiastic, meaningful weekend of Jewish learning, connections, and Shabbat. This annual event brings together Jewish leaders […]
J Street may still be fighting for acceptance in the Jewish community almost three years after its founding, but there’s one place where that battle is over and the self-proclaimed “pro-Israel, pro-peace” group has emerged victorious: the college campus. J Street U displayed its secure position in the established Jewish campus world today by organizing […]
Some people say J Street is too far to the left; others complain that it’s too far right. But there’s another, more basic reason for Jews to doubt J Street’s kashrut: Its food is literally not kosher. Of course, plenty of Jewish organizations serve non-kosher food at their events, and that’s fine. Given that the […]
There’s a blurry line here at the J Street Conference between press and participant. And between college student and press, insofar as I’m here. The participants’ badges hang on black lanyards, but the press is easy to spot because of our bright orange–just go New Voices, I’m sure–lanyards ours hang on. Every time I see […]
There’s a plenary going on right now at the J Street Conference that’s exploring the present democracy movements in the Middle East. Good stuff. Something everyone–and especially the peaceniks here–can get behind. The first two panelists gave unsurprising speeches supporting democracy and the peace process, which elicited some token cheers from a mostly silent crowd. […]