Chances are, you have heard of Silicon Valley. Often mistakenly attributed to successful entrepreneur Ralph Vaerst, the term “Silicon Valley” refers to a large swath of Bay Area land replete with both large and small technology firms — the growth…
The “Gaza Doctor” Abuelaish: Feminism Will Deliver Peace to the Middle East
As a part of Kehillat Israel’s (a Reconstructionist Congregation in Los Angeles) “Week of Civil Discourse,” put on by the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish was invited to speak in Broad Hall…
The Curious Case of Israeli Guns: the NRA’s Faulty Logic
On early Friday morning, an army of several thousand heavily armed law enforcement officials descended upon the tranquil Boston suburb of Watertown in hopes of capturing the elusive second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Dzhokar Tsarnaev. Tsarnaev is now in…
Shtar shines at UCLA
Shtar (meaning “Talmudic contract” in Hebrew), a Jerusalem-based hip-hop group, made a stop on their tour at the UCLA Jewish Awareness Movement house on Thursday, April 11. Originally created by two Yeshiva students, Ori ‘M’Ori’ Murray and Brad ‘Binyamin Adam’…
Is “separate but equal” okay in Israel?
According to fast-breaking developments first reported this week by the Jewish Daily Forward and subsequently amplified in the New York Times, a compromise may be in the works that would allow women to lead services, carry Sifrei Torah (Torah Scrolls),…
Elliott Abrams, national security official to two presidents, comes to UCLA
Wearing a red tie, Elliott Abrams, the renowned American diplomat who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush — most recently as Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy — could be seen talking with a friend…
Genocide of the soul: the new Jewish face of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism is still the greatest threat to the Jewish people, but the threat comes from within the Jewish state. I was dismayed to read the news last week about the new Egyptian government’s cancellation of a screening of a…
Income inequality in Israel: Netanyahu’s neo-conservative policies
In a state founded on principles of collectivism, social justice, and equality, today, Israel’s government espouses economic policies that are radically different from the original ideals, and the negative consequences are catching up. Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently pushed for…
Rabbi Froman in memoriam: an Israeli settler and his drive for peace
As the exuberance of yet another AIPAC Policy Conference fades, the grimness of reality sets in. This year’s AIPAC conference featured such speakers as Vice President Joe Biden and outgoing Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. But while this week’s headlines highlighted…
Israel at the Oscars
The 85th annual Academy Award celebration boasted some of Hollywood’s premier talent. While most viewers were closely attuned to the celebrity sightings, spectacular gowns, provocative host, show-stopping performances, and the major awards themselves, some of us with strong Jewish and…