For decades, the American Jewish community has debated the advisability, constitutionality and necessity of government aid to Jewish (and other faiths’) parochial schools. But with the United States still experiencing tough economic challenges, the American Jewish community finds its schools under greater financial stress than ever.
Several months ago, activist Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak learned of a Jewish family allegedly forced to flee its Delaware town after protesting aggressive Christian activities in the public schools. Thus Beliak zeroed in on the Delaware family — Mona and Marco Dobrich and their two children — who had filed a lawsuit along with a family known only as the \”Does\” about a year ago.
Fighting between small groups of Hamas and Fatah members on the streets of Gaza shows signs of intensifying. Both sides have mobilized large forces in Gaza and the West Bank, and some Palestinian observers are predicting civil war.
Between 150,000 and 300,000 expatriate Israelis live in the Los Angeles area, and some of them are pushing for the right to cast absentee ballots in Israeli elections.
The wind grows colder, the days shorter and a 165-page, gray book of propositions arrives in everybody\’s mailbox. Welcome to the election season — for Californians.
What I think about the Geneva accord is what generations of Jews have thought about getting a doctor\’s second opinion: it couldn\’t hurt.\n\nI was surprised at how many people this week asked me whether I thought the accord was good for Israel. Surprised, mainly, that they would think an independent peace initiative declared at a press conference in Switzerland could actually doom the Jewish State.
If Golus is recalled, then the entire state of California will be transported to the Holy Land, and we won\’t have to worry about a budget crisis, Davis\’s lack of personality or unsavory Arnold Schwarzenegger interviews — which definitely makes recalling Golus something worth thinking about.
The state budget is facing a projected $38.2 billion shortfall, and Gov. Gray Davis\’ plan to cut spending and increase revenue will have far-reaching effects on our state and our lives.
The very flatness and blandness of the matzah remind us of the empty and oppressed lives of the Israelite slaves — and of downtrodden people in all places and in all times.
Gov. Gray Davis\’ proposed state budget for 2002-2003 has local Jewish organizations worried. With the state\’s approximately $12 billion deficit (in a proposed $98 billion budget) covered by program cuts, along with loans and spending deferrals, local agencies such as Jewish Family Service (JFS) and Jewish Vocational Service may face a significant reduction in funding.
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