Britannia Radio

Daily Briefing

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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Today's Daily Briefing Sponsored by: Marshall Weinberg During these days of reflection, every Jew should know that JDC is feeding over 160,000 impoverished, elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union. For those who would like to know more please click here: To make your announcement for only $180, click here. Featured Story Jewish groups step up efforts to combat anti-Muslim bigotry A groundswell of Jewish effort to combat anti-Muslim bigotry is apparent in several new initiatives that were announced this week. Read more » Editors' Picks Upbraiding the foes of conversion bill American opponents of Israel's conversion bill are flouting democratic principles, practicing hypocrisy and endangering Israel, Israeli Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar writes in JTA. Responding to Rabbi Amar U.S. Reform and Conservative leaders, responding to Rabbi Amar's JTA Op-Ed, write that the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is thwarting religious expression and democratic principles. Eye on unity The CEO of Jewish Federations of North America writes in JTA that the umbrella group actively opposed the Israeli conversion bill on the grounds that it would have hurt Jewish unity worldwide. Obama: Shanah Tovah See video of the president's New Year's message on JTA's Capital J blog. Where fashion and Rosh Hashanah meet Fashion Week in New York is colliding this year with Rosh Hashanah, leading to a frantic scramble for designers trying to schedule appointments with Jewish buyers and editors, The New York Times reports. Mumbai Chabad moves on Rabbi Chanoch Gechtman and his wife, Leiky, arrived recently in Mumbai from Israel to continue the work of the couple killed two years ago in a deadly assault on the Chabad house, Reuters reports. Sight unseen Chasidim traveling to Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's grave in Uman for Rosh Hashanah are wearing coverings over their eyes, such as veils or scarves, in order to avoid seeing women dressed immodestly, Ynet reports. JEWISH IDEAS DAILY Sponsored Content A Tale of Two Lobbies What Jewish lobbying for Israel seeks openly to clarify and explain, Arab lobbying works, largely in secret, to negate and obscure. Read more » Breaking News President Obama told American rabbis that securing Israel was critical to the peace process. A proposed ballot initiative in California would force the state’s two public employee pension funds to withdraw investments from companies that “support Israeli settlement or supply military products to the government of Israel.” Hamas said it would strike the Palestinian Authority if the PA does not stop arresting its West Bank followers. Cuban leader Fidel Castro criticized Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for denying the Holocaust and promoting anti-Semitism. Making peace with the Palestinians "will not be easy," Israel's prime minister said in a Rosh Hashanah message to Diaspora Jewry. Mahmoud Abbas said he will not compromise during peace negotiations on core issues such as final borders and the status of Jerusalem. In an address to Muslims, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited George Washington's letter to the Jews in making the case for American tolerance. A major Jewish umbrella organization again has called on the ambassadors of United Nations member states to walk out on a speech by Iran's president. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros will give Human Rights Watch $100 million to expand its work throughout the world. A mortar shell fired from Gaza exploded between two day-care centers in a southern Israeli kibbutz. Australia's prime minister has formed a minority government that includes two Jewish lawmakers and a party that some fear may compromise support for Israel. A Palestinian man was arrested in South Florida for allegedly trying to buy stolen weapons. A joint American and Israeli foundation, and a California university are teaming for a program enabling donors to support their special scientific interests.