This week in power: Embassy attacks, Mormon apology, Contraception, Oprah

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Who was behind the bombings?
Israel pointed at Iran for Monday’s attacks on Israeli diplomatic missions in India and Georgia, but some argued that Israel had planted the explosives itself to “tarnish Iran’s friendly ties with the host countries,” ” title=”http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/14/israeli-embassies-attacked/” target=”_blank”>said Farzana Versey at CounterPunch.. Well excuse us if that’s not our primary concern, ” title=”http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/why-do-mormons-baptize-the-dead/2012/02/15/gIQAnYfOGR_story.html” target=”_blank”>issued an apology for a Mormon who baptized the late parents of famed Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal. “The practice stems from the belief that after the time of Christ, Christianity went astray. The faithful consider the Mormon faith Christianity restored and baptisms not conducted by the restored Church essentially don’t count. So Mormons are out to baptize those who didn’t have these restored baptisms,” ” title=”http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/a_controversy_from_hell_for_mi035432.php” target=”_blank”>said Ed Kilgore at Washington Monthly. “I’m sure his campaign would love to see a very active news day to bury—no pun intended—the story.”

Jews, Obama, and contraception
“What were the Jews doing becoming so involved in a debate over contraception?” ” title=”http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/02/15/jews-should-stand-with-catholics-in-contraception-battle/” target=”_blank”>said Dovid Efune at the Algemeiner. Outrage was rampant, from ” title=”http://www.stljewishlight.com/opinion/editorial/article_f0b57ea6-57ea-11e1-8b4e-0019bb2963f4.html” target=”_blank”>said a St. Louis Jewish Light editorial. “The compromise rule in particular demonstrates respect for religious belief and institutions, while taking a significant step in favor of reproductive rights and health.”

Oprah’s Brooklyn visit
Oprah made waves this week with the debut of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” that ” title=”http://theurbantwist.com/2012/02/13/oprah-visits-hasidic-jewish-families-in-brooklyn/” target=”_blank”>said Adam Croan at The Urban Twist. “I think it is important that we, as Americans, learn more about the people and the heritage that make up the collective society we live in. In the process it may allow you to look at your own beliefs about God and family while learning about the Hasidic Jewish community that lives in Brooklyn, New York.” But you should tune in for other reasons, too, ” title=”http://blogs.jpost.com/content/peter-pied-piper-key” target=”_blank”>said Yisrael Medad in The Jerusalem Post. But not everyone agreed. “Yet, as Beinart chronicles, major American Jewish organizations, their agendas often swayed by a few wealthy donors (like the casino mogul Sheldon Adelson), have in general made uncritical defense of Israel — rather than constructive criticism — the cornerstone of their policies and viewed deviation from the ever-refreshed victimhood narrative as unacceptable dissent,” ” title=”http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/opinion_dear_peter_beinart_a_little_humility_please_20120213/” target=”_blank”>said Rabbi David Wolpe in the Jewish Journal. “This is not debate. This is not dialogue. This is demagoguery. He is better than this and we must be, too.”