Britannia Radio

Daily Briefing

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

FEATURED STORY As Norway's Jews mourn, concern about muting of pro-Israel voices Even as they mourn along with their fellow countrymen, some Norwegian Jews are quietly expressing concern that the attack by a right-wing xenophobe who apparently sympathized with Israel may further mute pro-Israel voices in Norway, where anti-Zionist sentiment already runs strong. JTA's Alex Weisler reports from Oslo. Read more » EDITORS' PICKS How to respond to the far-right's embrace What to do when far-right movements and figures like the alleged perpetrator of the deadly attacks in Norway seek to make common cause with Jews and Israel? JTA's Uriel Heilman looks for answers. As debt crisis continues, Jewish social service groups worry Jewish groups are worried that the vulnerable, elderly and sick will suffer if the U.S. government fails to reach a deal on raising the debt ceiling, JTA's Ron Kampeas reports. The Israel issue in the race to replace Weiner The New York Times reports that the race to replace Rep. Anthony Weiner may be shaping up into a referendum on the Obama administration's policies toward Israel. The decline of the Israeli right Tablet's Liel Leibovitz argues that the Israeli right is being torn away from its roots by political tendencies and styles imported from the former Soviet Union and the United States. JDub and the search for a viable Jewish media model Writing in Zeek, Jo Ellen Green Kaiser examines how the Jewish community can better sustain media initiatives like JDub Records. Vote on which European story idea you like best JTA invited readers to submit story ideas for roving European correspondent Alex Weisler to write about. Now you can vote on which one he should pursue. The Eulogizer: Bruce Sundlun and Stanley Pearle JTA's Appreciation column remembers Bruce Sundlun, the former governor of Rhode Island, and Stanley Pearle, the founder of Pearle Vision. This week in Torah: Parashat Masei This week's Torah portion begins with a detailed recounting of the Israelites' travels from Egypt through the desert. On MyJewishLearning, Abigail Sterne ponders why such an extensive list is necessary. JEWISH IDEAS DAILY Sponsored Content Minorities in the IDF Since Israeli non-Jews from the Muslim, Druse, and Christian communities are not drafted into the IDF, what drives some of them to volunteer their service? Read more BREAKING NEWS Two Orthodox Jewish groups have released statements attempting to clarify their positions on reporting child abuse. Palestinians are ready for statehood but prevented by the deadlock in peacemaking with Israel, the United Nations' special Middle East envoy said. House Republican and Democratic appropriators said assistance to Israel would continue at existing levels, although they agreed on little else. Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, as promised, endorsed the Republican candidate for Anthony Weiner’s vacated congressional seat. The outgoing U.S. military chief voiced confidence in the survival of Israeli-Turkish ties. The Zionist Organization of America has filed a complaint against Rutgers University alleging that the school fostered a hostile environment toward Jewish students. Seven retired Israeli diplomats and military officers met with high-ranking U.S. officials to press for greater U.S. engagement in brokering Israeli-Palestinian peace. Israel relocated a vulnerable road outside the Gaza Strip to protect motorists from Palestinian gun and rocket fire.