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Daily Briefing

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Featured Story On Independence Day, a reminder about Gilad Shalit "Looking after one another -- the year of mutual care," was the theme of Israel's Independence Day, but some Israelis don't believe the state is looking after everyone. Read more » Editors' Picks For Israel's Arabs, unease on Independence Day Recent Knesset measures have sharpened feelings of disenfranchisement among many Arab citizens of Israel, JTA's Dina Kraft reports. JTA's archive marks historic first JTA's new Jewish News Archive is the only collection of English-language reporting covering the Jewish world in the 20th century available online. Celebrating Israel's first Independence Day JTA's Adam Soclof scours our online archive to find reports on the celebrations in 1948 of Israel's independence. Remembering Israel's birth The dizzying, fateful days when Israel came into being resulted in eloquent and passionate support from American commentators across cultural and political spectrums, David Geffen writes in The Jerusalem Post. The problem with Israel Independence Day What if the proximity of Israel's Memorial and Independence days, and the fluctuation of extreme emotions associated with them, lead to "an arrogant and self-justifying triumphalism," William Kolbrener asks in The Washington Post. Leap of faith: Parachutes and tefillin The Chabad director at the University of Washington agrees to jump out of a plane in exchange for a freshman student donning tefillin for the first time, Chabad.org reports. The Eulogizer: Arthur Laurents and Joseph Merimovich JTA's Appreciation column remembers Broadway's Arthur Laurents and Israeli soccer's Joseph Merimovich. Israel's Independence Day Bible competition Israel marks the anniversary of its establishment with an unusual ritual, the International Bible Quiz -- and Myjewishlearning.com looks at its history. JEWISH IDEAS DAILY Sponsored Content Israel: The Miracle The creation of Israel was the quintessential event of the last century, and the only one that can fairly be called a miracle. Read more » Breaking News The achievement of the Palestinians' "legitimate aspirations" will make the Middle East more peaceful and prosperous, President Obama said in his message for Israel's Independence Day. Trustees of the City University of New York approved an honorary degree for playwright Tony Kushner, reversing an earlier decision. Iran addressed statements made by former Mossad chief Meir Dagan that a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities is "a dumb idea that has no benefits." The Indiana Department of Corrections must provide kosher food for observant Jewish inmates, after an appeals court dismissed its appeal of a lower court decision. President Obama will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House three days before Benjamin Netanyahu. Glenn Beck will broadcast from Israel during a surprise visit. The stars of the Fox show "House" arrived in Israel to celebrate Independence Day. Jewish and Muslim leaders in several European countries are joining to denounce the rise of far-right extremist groups in their countries. President Obama will host another Jewish American Heritage Month reception, days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington. A day of national mourning turned to celebration as Israel marked the beginning of its Independence Day, but the brother of captive soldier Gilad Shalit interrupted the official ceremony at Mount Herzl. Marla Gilson and the Association of Jewish Aging Services, which fired her after she was stricken by cancer, have come to terms. A week of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel events began calmly at the University of California, San Diego, despite fears of a repeat of last year's hostilities. A dozen San Francisco Bay Area Jews visited an ongoing protest at a Native American burial site