2014 is likely to be a decisive year for the issue of Iran’s nuclear program and for the fate of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. These two subjects pose challenges for the triangular relationship: Israel, the United States, and the American Jewish community. The interim agreement with Iran, and the Vienna talks on a permanent settlement that followed, provoked extremely harsh responses from Israel. At the same time, diplomatic negotiations with the Palestinians are nearing their April 2014 deadline and Israel faces mounting pressure and weighty decisions as the presentation of the American framework approaches. !e coming months, therefore, have the potential to bring new tensions between Washington and Jerusalem that may trouble American Jewry and could strain the “triangle,” a cornerstone of Israel’s and the Jewish people’s power. The main issues – efforts to halt Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon, and to achieve a breakthrough in an Israeli-Palestinian agreement –…

Should the State of Israel recognize “Israeli” as a nationality rather than defining citizens as Jewish, Arab, and Druze? In an article published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, II Vice President Prof. Yedidia Stern and Jay Ruderman assert that it is imperative for the State of Israel to continue distinguishing between citizenship and nationality. For Americans, the definition of national…

– Jews “not by religion” are much less likely to pass on Jewishness to the next generation – Jews “not by religion” are not “cultural” Jews, they are disconnected Jews – The Jewish community must decide how much to invest in them vs. other priorities – The alternatives for action are basically three: 1. Write them off (but this means…

Of all the expressions of Jewish identity, Jewish culture has traditionally been the most legitimate and the most celebrated in post-Enlightenment Europe. Since their political emancipation at the end of the 18th century, Jews have endeavored to contribute their part to the broader society by focusing on the elements of their identity that fit the secular and liberal ethos. In…

Originally posted in The Times of Israel, by Dr. Shlomo Fischer, November 18 Since its publication on October 1, 2013, the Pew report, A Portrait of Jewish Americans, has generated copious commentary and debate, mainly around its findings concerning the more than one million “Jews of no religion.” I suggest that much of the commentary reflects a misunderstanding about the meaning of…

On the surface, we could be indifferent: these are the domestic broils of a foreign country beyond a hostile border. Some may think that Assad and the rebels are both enemies of Israel; the more they shed each other’s blood, the less of a threat they are to Israel. The truly heartless might even welcome the Arab slaughter as “doing…

Throughout the year, the Israeli clock adjusts itself to the global clock and joins the rest of the world, abandoning all that is unique, local, and traditional. But it never abandons Jewish time completely. In fact, the greatest moments of life in Israel are based on the Hebrew calendar. This year, the fifth of September is cloaked in the raiment…

The energies that went into restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations will be dwarfed by those needed to bring the talks to fruition. Israel is entering this new round of negotiations at a time when the Middle East is especially turbulent and dangerous. Which core strategic considerations should guide the Israeli negotiators in light of this reality? In such a chaotic environment,…

Few issues have occupied Israeli society for as long and with as much passionate debate as the ultra-Orthodox draft.  The intensity and tenor of that debate has grown to a deafening roar over the past year, resulting in the downfall of the last government, serving as a central issue for voters in the last elections, and occupying the heart of…