9 January 2012

Hi, just wanted to make sure you saw this important discussion with Secretary of Defense Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dempsey on yesterday’s Face the Nation.

From CBS: “Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined some red lines when it comes to Iran in an interview on Face the Nation Sunday, saying the U.S. would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon or to block the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key passageway for oil from the Middle East.”
WATCH the discussion here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3460_162-57354645/panetta-iran-cannot-develop-nukes-block-strait/?tag=contentBody%3bcbsCarousel

KEY EXCERPTS
Panetta on Iran:
I think -- I think the international strategy here, and this really has been an international strategy, to apply sanctions, to apply diplomatic pressure on them, to try to convince Iran that, if -- you know, if they want to do what's right, they need to join the international family of nations and act in a responsible way.
I think the pressure of the sanctions; I think the pressure of diplomatic pressures from everywhere -- Europe, the United States, elsewhere -- is working to put pressure on them, to make them understand that they cannot continue to do what they're doing.
Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. But we know that they're trying to develop a nuclear capability. And that's what concerns us. And our red line to Iran is, do not develop a nuclear weapon. That's a red line for us.
Panetta on Military Option:
Well, you don't take any option off the table. I think that's extremely important. Don't take any option off the table. But the responsible thing to do right now is to keep putting diplomatic and economic pressure on them to force them to do the right thing and to make sure that they do not make the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon.
Dempsey on the U.S. Has the Capability to take out Iran’s Nuclear Program:
Well, I would rather not discuss the degree of difficulty in any way encourage them to read anything into that. But I will say that my responsibility is to encourage the right degree of planning, to understand the risks associated with any kind of military option, in some cases to position assets, to provide those options in a timely fashion. And all those activities are going on.
SCHIEFFER: Could we, if we had to, without using nuclear weapons ourselves take out their nuclear capability?
DEMPSEY: Well, I certainly want them to believe that that's the case.
SCHIEFFER: Well, is it?
DEMPSEY: I absolutely want them to believe that that's the case.

Panetta on Military Options if Iran Moves Towards a Nuclear Weapon:
I think they need to know that if they take that step that they're going to get stopped.

Panetta on Strait of Hormuz:
We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate blocking of the Straits of Hormuz. That's another red line for us. And we will respond to that.

Dempsey on Iran’s Ability to Block the Strait of Hormuz:
They've invested in capabilities that could, in fact, for a period of time block the Strait of Hormuz. We've invested in capabilities to ensure if that happens, we can defeat that. And so the simple answer is yes they can block it. Of course that is, as well, a -- we've described that as an intolerable act.
And it's not just intolerable for us, it's intolerable to the world. But we would take action and reopen the straits.
 
Panetta on Israeli Military Action against Iran:
I think, you know, our preference is that the international community, including Israel, ought to work together on this issue. We have common cause here. We're not interested in them developing a nuclear weapon. We are not interested in them proliferating violence throughout that region. We are not interested in them trying to assist in terrorism. We are not interested in them trying to destabilize governments in that region or any place else. We have common cause here. And the better approach is for us to work together and not act...
… If the Israelis made that decision, we would have to be prepared to protect our forces in that situation. And that's what we'd be concerned about.
 
As always, feel free to get in touch to discuss further. Best, Ari

Ari Goldberg
Spokesperson • Director of Media Relations
[email protected]
AIPAC • The American Israel Public Affairs Committee
 251 H Street, , Washington, DC 20001

Jan 1, 2012
 
To the Editor,
 
 I very much enjoyed your article on Alzheimer´s disease!

  Elisabeth Lück, Germany

December 20, 2011
 
Subject: Re: Rhonda Spivak 's article on Channukah in  Puerto Vallarta

 Hello,

I am trying to locate Rhonda Spivak. She wrote an article last year about
 Puerto Vallarta not having a Jewish Community center, Kosher food etc.

Shaul Groman and Yosef Elkayam are the Directors for "The Jew Wish" in
 Puerto Vallarta, www.thejewwish.com and I know they would be happy to be
 interviewed for an article about their Jewish Community, and all things Kosher
 in Puerto Vallarta. They recently received Rabbi certification for a Kosher
 kitchen and the inauguration was just last week, plus are having a Hanukkah
 celebration next week in Puerto Vallarta.
 
Please pass this on to Rhonda or have her contact us for more details so she
 can write an updated article about Puerto Vallarta's Directors of Jewish
 events.
 
 I've attached the Hanukkah invitation for you.
 
Thank You
Robin Miller, Peurto Vallarta
[email protected]

20 Dec 2011

Dear Editor,
 
The only way to stop the attacks is to keep Hashem's commandments. Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism.
 
Respectfully,
 
Adam Sheps
 

Deecember 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce the first Canadian Social Justice Fellow in Israel. This is a very exciting new opportunity NIFC is making available to Canadians.

This prestigious, subsidized fellowship places young Jews in Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for a year of in-depth community service and learning.

Additional information is included here. If you know of any potential candidates or someone who might contact others qualified for this program, please feel free to circulate this email. Please note that the deadline for application is January 20, less than six weeks away.

Click here to watch Itamar Haritan talk about his experience as a Social Justice Fellow last year.

On behalf of the Board and Staff of the NIFC, I want to wish you a healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2012,

PS: As 2011 draws to a close, please be generous in sustaining our important work through your support of NIFC. Information on donating provided via the button below.

For those who have made your annual gift, our heartfelt thanks.

New Israel Fund of Canada
401-801 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, ON M5N 1E5

www.nifcan.org

December 13, 2011

Lawmakers from both parties call for the US to get tougher on the Islamic Republic

AIPAC welcomes the House-Senate Conference Committee's completion of tough new sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and urges its immediate passage and full implementation. This important, long-overdue measure will raise the pressure on Tehran to abandon its illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons.

AIPAC applauds the authors of the amendment, Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), and thanks the following lawmakers for their leadership in ensuring its inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act conference report: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Ranking Member Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA).

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Ranking Member Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) not only played a role in the conference, but were originators of legislation targeting Iran’s Central Bank.  A Berman amendment offered in October was included in legislation that the House is voting on today.

The CBI is the key financial facilitator of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and provides significant assistance to previously sanctioned banks and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). If properly enforced, the new provision will require foreign financial institutions to choose between doing business with Iran's Central Bank and continuing to have access to the U.S. financial system.

It is essential that the administration embrace the Menendez-Kirk amendment in an effort to stop Tehran's nuclear program and its global support for terrorism.

AIPAC urges Congress to take additional strong steps through passage of comprehensive Iran sanctions legislation before both the House and Senate. 

 Contact:  Ari Goldberg

16 Dec 2011

This is the same historical read that has convinced Palestinians that it is Israel and the West that created the Arab-Palestinian refugees, rather their own Arab leaders who did indeed put them in this state intentionally. Today, the perfidy of Palestinian society lies in its division, dysfunctionality, and complete denial of the reality it lives in.

Coleen Holtzinger

Kentucky

15 Dec 2011

To the Editor, 
 
I read the interesting article.  However, I never wrote a book. Perhaps, you are referring to Harold Troper's book "The Rescuer."
The reason she could not find Syrian Jews is that there are only 22 elderly individuals left, all in Damascus. They chose to stay because they have no
children.

 Aleppo and Qamishli are now Judenrein. I have gotten them all out.

 The reason for the Hebrew school being in decent shape is because it was renovated by the JDC but there are no Jewish children remaining.
 
Judy Feld Carr

Editor's response: Thanks for writing in. You are correct . Ahava was referring to the  book by Harold Troper , the  Rescuer, which outlines your courageous and historic rescue of Syrian Jewry . It is a recommended read for anyone interested in the subject. I had t epleasure of hearing you tell your story of rescuing Syran Jewry in a clandestine manner first hand when I was a student and attended a general assembly of Jewish Federations conference and I never forgot you.

December 15, 2011

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs commends the Federal Government for designating new funding for the Security Infrastructure Program.

 TORONTO, ON -- Following the announcement by Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews of new funding for the Security Infrastructure Program, David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement:

 “We thank the government for its continuing support of vulnerable communities through the Security Infrastructure Program. This vital program will continue to assist at-risk communities to protect their communal institutions and the community members who use them from violence and vandalism. It is an unfortunate reality that some communities need to worry more about their safety than others, but it is indeed comforting to know our government understands these concerns and is prepared to offer assistance.”

 “When an act of vandalism or violence is directed against a place of worship or a school or a building that is identified with one community, the fabric of Canadian life is damaged. Thankfully, we live in a country that understands that hate is incompatible with our core values and that in order for any community to thrive and contribute to the rich cultural landscape of our nation, we all must feel secure and protected. We applaud Minister Toews and the Federal government for joining with at-risk communities to help them protect against acts of hate.”

- 30 -

 For more information, please contact:

Jordan Kerbel

Deputy Director, Communications and Advocacy Training

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

[email protected]

416.638.1991 ext. 5142

416.317.9517

December 14, 2011

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued the following statement regarding the recent acts of violence on Israeli institutions

OTTAWA, ON --- Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement on the recent acts of vandalism on Israeli 
institutions: 

"Our community is concerned about recent acts of violence perpetrated by marginal, yet active elements against Israeli military facilities and an abandoned mosque in Jerusalem. These unacceptable acts are contrary to the Jewish and democratic values of Israel and are reproved by the whole of  Israeli society."
 
"We commend the determination of the Israeli government to stop all forms of extremist violence and share the position of the Israeli Prime Minister that
this violence must end now before this marginal phenomenon gains any magnitude. We are confident that the perpetrators of the attacks will be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law."
 
For more information, please contact:

 Jordan Kerbel
 Deputy Director, Communications and Advocacy Training
 The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
416.638.1991 ext. 5142

7 Dec 2011

Arafat ascribed to the principal that a lie told often enough becomes the truth.

Coleen Holtzinger

Kentucky

Dec 5, 2011

The Living Legacies series currently has three published volumes. Each volume is a collection of original, creative nonfiction writing by contemporary Canadian Jewish women. The authorship of this series includes a broad range of diverse Canadian Jewish women from across the country. Each woman has a unique voice with a message to deliver. The contributing authors bestow their wisdom and share their insights and experiences. In chronicling their stories, the authors empower and enlighten the readers. Each volume includes a collection of legacy writing that is both personal and universal. Legacy writing is a meaningful expression of identity, purpose, values, beliefs, reflections and experiences.

 
For more information about Living Legacies - A Collection of Writing by  Contemporary Canadian Jewish Women please visit  http://at.yorku.ca/pk/ll.htm http://at.yorku.ca/pk/ll.htm. 
 
Visit PK Press on Facebook   <http://www.facebook.com/#!/PKPress>
 www.facebook.com/#!/PKPress

Thank you,
Liz Pearl, M.Ed. 
Therapist / Editor
 PK Press 

mailto:[email protected]

 [email protected]

 Dec 4, 2011
 
Rhonda,
 
Thanks...and your paper keeps getting better and betterJ!!!!


Ronna Goldberg
Regional Event Planner
Sturgeon Creek 1 Retirement Residence
10 Hallonquist Drive
 Winnipeg, Manitoba  

2 December 2011

Current Edition of the Winnipeg Jewish Review

Great articles. 

Shabbat Shalom Rhonda,

Elaine Bigalow,

Winnnipeg

28 Nov 2011

Rhonda --

Our partners in the fight for Israel's future at the New Israel Fund have asked us to stand with them in urging the Israeli government to reject two new legislative proposals that undercut the country's democratic principles.

The proposed laws would limit and then tax foreign government contributions to Israeli advocacy organizations - many of which work to promote and protect democratic principles and human rights.

These laws are but the latest chapter in a disturbing and ongoing assault on the fabric of Israel's democracy.  [For more information see their email below.]
Please sign J Street's petition to Ambassador Michael Oren conveying the views of pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans on these bills in advance of the Cabinet's re-consideration of the legislation this Sunday.

Our critique is echoed by several leading democracy advocates with right-of-center political views in Israel.  Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin -- a Likud stalwart -- said: "The new Likud is not committed to the ethics of liberty, to the values of Jabotinsky and of Begin."

Another leader in Likud -- Minister Benny Begin (who voted against the bills) -- commented: "Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Uzbekistan - these are countries that have similar laws to this one." He added: "What kind of society are we living in?"

Together with the New Israel Fund, we are fighting for the future of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people.
Please make your voice heard today by signing this important petition urging the Israeli government to change course and demonstrate its commitment to democratic ideals.

Thank you,
 
Jeremy Ben Ami, CEO J STREET

24 Nov 2011

www.stuartschnee.com

Stuart Schnee PR | 10 Haportzim St, Jerusalem Israel | 14 Walt Whitman Trail | Morristown | NJ | 07960

17 november 2011

Hi Sayeh and Rhonda,

Excellent piece.
Well done.

Will upload link or text to Iran section of www.david-kilgour.com.

Onwards.

David Kilgour