Top Stories for Monday Sept. 29, 2008
John Gaps III/Des Moines Register
Federal officials escort workers from the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, on May 12, 2008 as part of the largest federal immigration raid in U.S. history.
In 5768, establishment groups
faced challenges by upstarts
Old standard-bearers did battle with insurgents over a range of issues, including pro-Israel lobbying, Holocaust restitution, the presidential race and kashrut supervision. More »
The shofar -- a rhapsody in green
In a year of sustainability and carbon footprints, high gas and hybrids, the shofar is the simplest, most eco-friendly method of reaching the Jewish community with a vital message. More »
Groups advised against keeping Palin
Jewish groups have been accused of carrying out a partisan agenda by disinviting Sarah Palin and other American elected officials from their anti-Iran rally. But a former top IRS official says he warned organizers that her presence could end up costing them time and money. More »
Obama stuck at 60 percent of Jewish vote
A new survey from the American Jewish Committee shows Barack Obama still hovering around 60 percent among Jewish voters. His big problem: the undecideds. More »
JTA Blogs & Elsewhere in the Media
Shanah Tovah
The bees who help make Rosh Hashanah. It's going to be a tough four weeks for observant employees. Does Jerusalem have too many prayers? Posting Yom Kippur regrets. (read more)
The end of the New York Jew?
In his elegy for the New York Jew, published in New York magazine, David Samuels is both proud and chagrined by the rise and fall of the Jew from the pinnacle of New York society. (read more)
Political Tidbits
Why Obama likes Rosh Hashanah. Why your Bubbie in Florida won't decide the election. Are campaign kipahs appropriate for shul? Jeffrey Goldberg on Palin's "terrifying ignorance." Comparing McCain to the rebbe of the Warsaw Ghetto. (read more)
Shanah Tovah from McCain, Obama
Birthright Israel has a cartoon spoof of the presidential candidates wishing each other Shanah Tovah and asking for forgiveness -- sort of. (watch video)
Debating Iran
In Friday night's debate, McCain cited some of the Iranian president's ugliest rhetoric against Israel as a reason for shunning him, and Obama defended diplomacy while noting Israel is America's "stalwart ally." (watch video)
Breaking News
- Israel will have to leave the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, and compensate Palestinians for settlement blocs in a peace deal, Ehud Olmert said.
- Austria's far-right parties won almost a third of the vote in parliamentary elections, and could be included in a new goverment coalition.
- The dispute surrounding Rabbi Nahman's gravesite in Uman has been settled.
- Jewish leaders met with the president of the Italian Senate after he was the object of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti.
- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on a United Nations racism conference and one recognizing Middle East peace groups.
- Police arrested a Palestinian for planning to carry out stabbing attacks on Jews in Jerusalem.
- Syrian leaders and Arab media are blaming Israel and the United States for a car bomb in Damascus.
- The United States has contributed $28 million to bring relief to Palestinians who were caught in north Lebanon fighting.
- The Israeli flag was raised over the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles for the first time since its opening in 1973.
- Professor Benny Kraut, who guided the Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College, has died.
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