Britannia Radio

Daily Briefing

Thursday, April 12, 2012

FEATURED STORY On Passover, celebrating the Exodus in the desert -- in Moab, Utah An eight-hour seder on the first day of Passover included a three-mile hike to Utah's Corona Arch geological formation. Read more » EDITORS' PICKS Temple president doesn't dig new Drake video The rapper Drake's latest video -- a profanity-laced, sexually explicit performance filmed partially in a Miami synagogue -- has garnered over a million views since its release a few days ago. But as Debra Rubin reports for JTA, the synagogue's president said the video is "not consistent" with his shul's reputation. Remembering Elan Elan Steinberg, who was instrumental in the World Jewish Congress' string of successes in the 1980s and 90s, passed away last week after a brief struggle with cancer. Pinchas Shapiro, a former WJC official, remembers his colleague in a JTA appreciation. Beware of faulty intelligence (New York Times) Ronen Bergman, the journalist who wrote a bombshell of a story in January about whether Israel will attack Iran, argues that a decision to strike the Islamic Republic should not be made on the basis of intelligence alone. Meet the fascists (Tablet) James Kirchick profiles Hungary's far-right Jobbik party, whose members -- despite a well-documented trail of anti-Semitic statements -- are more likely to speak flawless English and wear well-tailored suits than be found marching around Budapest in Nazi regalia. An alternative on Iran (National Interest) Akiva Eldar writes that rather than bomb Iran or accede to its acquisition of a nuclear weapon, there's a third way: a regional non-proliferation agreement. Eszterhas slams Gibson (The Wrap) Work on Mel Gibson's film about Judah Maccabee has apparently been halted. Joe Eszterhas, the celebrated Hollywood screenwriter who wrote the script, says the reason is simple and ugly: Mel Gibson hates Jews. The post-Passover festival (Forward) Mimouna, a little-known Moroccan custom to celebrate the start of spring immediately at the conclusion of Passover, has become a major Israeli observance. Remember Mormon Zionists (Haaretz) As Mitt Romney seems ever more assured of winning the Republican nomination, an Op-Ed urges American Jews to recall two Mormon senators who were both ardent Zionists and were active in efforts to save European Jewry from the Nazis. A deal is possible on Iran (Washington Post) A rare voice of optimism that upcoming nuclear talks with Iran may bear fruit: Fareed Zakaria writes that the Obama administration has handled Russia, China and Tehran "with skill," but the main obstacle to a deal may be congressional Republicans. Into the conversation On Rabbis Without Borders, Rabbi Amy Small recalls how awkward gossip about a colleague turned into a chance for an open dialogue. BREAKING NEWS The Middle East "Quartet" called on Israel and the Palestinians to return to direct negotiations and also called for Palestinian development in areas Israel still may claim. Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint in the Jordan Valley discovered seven homemade bombs on the body of a Palestinian man. Top U.S. Jewish organizations joined the call on President Obama to release Jonathan Pollard because of his reported illness. Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas said in a letter to Mel Gibson that the actor and filmmaker "hates Jews." On a visit to a synagogue that had been bombed 10 years ago, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki said Tunisia is committed to the security of its Jews and that they are equal citizens under the law. German literary giant Gunter Grass said Israel's decision to bar him entry following publication of his controversial poem resembles the behavior of a dictatorship. Boston police launched a criminal investigation after finding five men bound together nearly naked in the basement of a Jewish fraternity house. A J Street-backed letter from 74 Congressional lawmakers urged President Obama to reaffirm support for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Jewish comedian Jon Lovitz used Twitter to condemn three girls who drew swastikas in maple syrup at a classmate's home. The Orthodox Union is suing a Maine dairy for illegally using its kosher symbol on milk cartons. A German museum has agreed to pay to keep a Nazi-looted painting in its collection. A synagogue custodian in Massachusetts has pleaded guilty to stealing gold and silver religious items from his place of employment. Raymond Aubrac, a prominent figure of the French Resistance against the Nazis during World War II, has died.