The Exodus from Egypt is what brought Israelites their freedom and made them into a nation. It also gave them a responsibility toward the “other.” The precept to love the stranger, foreigner and minority all originated in Egypt. Nationalism was thus a positive force in the building of the Jewish nation, as well as the entire family of nations. However,…

On my second day of work, one of the senior partners, sporting a red bow tie and matching suspenders, entered my office and closed the door behind him, which was against the custom at the company. I tensed up. Why would this shark visit the sardine? And why the need for secrecy? After we exchanged pleasantries, the partner lowered his…

But the terrorist who inflicted the most damage did so while lying passively on the ground. During the stabbing intifada, about 150 terrorists paid with their lives for committing murder. Yet they did not achieve any real goal, despite inflicting grave suffering upon their victims. Only one of them—the most destructive terrorist—succeeded beyond his expectations in carrying out his mission.…

Published by The Times of Israel The purchase of Mobileye by Intel is evidence of an approaching technological revolution that the government of Israel, Jewish community leaders, and policy makers should be cognizant of and make appropriate decisions and investments to stay ahead of a rapidly changing world. Earlier this month the Jewish People Policy Institute held a conference to…

Published by The Jerusalem Post Dramatic political shifts have occurred in the West, with important impacts on Israel and the Jewish People: the moderate center collapsed in American politics, and is at risk of doing so throughout the Western world. The partisan divide in American politics is becoming an unbridgeable chasm, with the type of bipartisanship that had characterized American…

Recently, Israeli Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked stated that Israeli democracy is “strong as an ox.” She said it is “healthy, vigorous, alive and kicking, and stronger than all its critics and naysayers.” At the same time, some on the left say they detect the development of anti-democratic processes in the Knesset and Israeli society, yet they dismiss any fears…

Moreover, Israelis have a positive attitude toward other Israelis. Three-fourths of Jews and slightly more than half of Arabs believe that Israelis can always depend on other Israelis to help them out in times of need. Despite the nonstop parade of controversies and crises that we tend to wallow in as a result of drama-filled news broadcasts and boisterous Knesset…

Only a week ago, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a law that prevents his state from contracting with entities that boycott Israel and other US allies. Pennsylvania is the 16th state to pass such a law in the past year and a half. Having reviewed these various efforts for the Jewish People Policy Institute’s (JPPI) 2016 Annual Assessment of the…

The time to fill the champagne glasses will be when Israel is able to make the most of a trusted and friendly new administration to advance a peace initiative. After the US election the question on Israeli minds is how the results are likely to impact the triangular relationship: Jerusalem, Washington and the American Jewish community. Is there good reason…