RJ Blog

Reform Jewish leaders from across the world issued a statement yesterday remembering the 11 Israeli victims of the 1972 terror attacks at the Munich Olympics. The 13 signatories issued their support for a moment of silence at the upcoming Olympics’ opening ceremony and asked Reform congregations worldwide to conduct their own memorials for the victims. Haaretz has more about the Munich massacre and the push for a moment of silence at the London Olympic games. The Reform Movement’s statement reads:

Reuters reports that a bus explosion today in Burgas, Bulgaria, killed four Israeli tourists at the Sarafovo Airport. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Iran for the blast.. In response to this horrific bombing, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this despicable act. We hope those responsible for this heinous crime, which targeted innocent civilians including children, will be brought to justice. Today marks the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attack carried out by Iranian agents on the AMIA [...]

A year ago I was sitting in my apartment at college, hogging the TV from my roommates who just wanted to watch the newest episode of The Bachelor, as I anxiously awaited President Obama’s press conference. Twitter had indicated 15 minutes earlier that Osama bin Laden had been killed at the hands of Navy SEALS, but it didn’t seem real until I heard the President say: “The United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.” But [...]

By Rabbi Michael Marmur(First posted on The Jerusalem Post Blog) For much of my adult life I have studied, taught and worked on King David Street in Jerusalem. It is certainly no ordinary work address. World leaders stay there – in recent months we have played host to Bush, Blair, then Bush again, Blair, Rice, Blair Carter, Sarkozy, Blair (I’m beginning to think that man has nothing better to do), Brown, Mc Cain, Obama – and that doesn’t do justice to the tens of less famous officials – Fishing Ministers from Ruritania and Tax Inspectors from Uzbekhistan. Then there are [...]