JTA:  Israel is born through the eyes of a U.S. Jewish student.  original article from 1948! 

A student in Berkeley, CA, recounts the day U.S. recognized Israel - as it happened - and the feelings he experienced for the weeks after the announcement.  A wonderful story that was first printed in late May 1948, when Tom Tugend, then 22, was a student at the University of California, Berkeley . It was first printed in November 1948 in the Soldiers Bulletin , published in Israel for English-speaking volunteers in the War of Independence. "U.S. RECOGNIZES ISRAEL” screams the Examiner.  Read the brief but interesting story here. 

New York Times:  Weaning Teenagers Off Gossip

This article relates the story of how one school is trying to teach its students about the ill effects of gossip. It's part of a national campaign at Jewish high schools to use religious teachings to raise awareness about the power of speech, for good and for ill.  School administrators and students at the participating schools acknowledge that breaking the cycle of gossip can be daunting, and they have used a variety of methods to promote a culture of good will. Click here for the article. 

JTA:  Is Israel facing the end of mass aliyah?

Recent reports that the Jewish Agency for Israel was considering shutting down its flagship aliyah department have prompted discussion about the future of immigration to Israel even as agency officials quickly denied the department was closing. The article is here. 

Jerusalem Post:  A healthy outlet:  Israelis who blog as a way of coping with the challenges posed by serious illness.

With a mix of determination, humor, courage and hope, increasing numbers of individuals are finding their voices via the blogs - Web logs or diaries - to talk about the challenges they're encountering, offering precious insight to others with similar illnesses, or just keeping friends and family anxious to know more in touch with the latest developments. Where words are sometimes hard to find while discussing their situations out loud, the blogs have proven the perfect catalyst to express their feelings. Click here for the story from the JPost Magazine. 

New York Times:  In Cuba, Finding a Tiny Corner of Jewish Life

There are about 1,500 Jews who live in Cuba; 1,100 reside in Havana, and the remaining 400 are spread among the provinces. There is no rabbi living on the island, and there is only one kosher butcher. This small Jewish presence is in stark contrast to the bustling community that existed before Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. Click here for the article.

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