Ben Sales
By Ben Sales
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Opinion In Tel Aviv, Keep Calm and Mind the Rockets
Israeli family seeks shelter in parking garage as rocket sirens blare. / Getty Images (JTA) — “In Tel Aviv, we expect the skies clear with a temperature of 32 degrees,” our pilot said upon taking off from Milan’s airport Wednesday, with no discernible hint of irony. The thermometer in Tel Aviv did fill up — 32…
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News Kidnapping of Teens Jangles Nerves in Usually Calm West Bank Settlement
(JTA) — At a shopping center in the middle of Efrat, families eat pizza, a deliveryman unloads a cart and a barista serves coffee. On a passing bus, a banner reads “Gush Etzion – an Israeli home.” In many respects it’s a normal, quiet Monday in this settlement that has grown into a large commuter…
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Breaking News Pluralism Advocates Seek State Funding for Non-Orthodox in Israel
(JTA) — At 3:30 Shavuot morning, more than 100 people are seated on folding chairs singing in Yiddish as men walk around with shots of vodka and cups of coffee. Up front, a man in a black frock coat and black hat is belting out the notes, his eyes closed. Except for the live instruments…
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The Schmooze Raunchy Comic ‘Stole’ Gig From Dad
(JTA) — Those taken aback by the sexually charged comedy routine of kippah-wearing 12-year-old Josh Orlian on “America’s Got Talent” now have one more reason to be surprised: He took some of the material from his dad. Josh appeared on “America’s Got Talent” Tuesday night, wowing the judges with racy jokes. In one bit, Orlian said…
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Breaking News Israeli App Would Raise Alarm in Emergency
(JTA) — In response to the kidnapping of three boys last week, some Israelis have prayed. Some have voiced support on social media. And some have done what they do best: they made an app. Prompted by the kidnapping and set to launch in the near future, the SOS Israel app will allow anyone in…
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Israel News Prayers for Kidnapped Teens Unite a Divided Israel
(JTA) — On the rolling green fields of a suburban Tel Aviv park, hundreds gathered to pray for the imminent rescue of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Rabbis delivered speeches, singer Yonatan Razel performed two pieces based on liturgical invocations of God’s mercy, and a prayer was recited for the safe return of Gilad Shaar, Naftali…
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Israel News Bitcoin Makes Aliyah as Virtual Currency Gains Favor in Israel
(JTA) — Blocks away from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the headquarters of two major banks, in the corner of the lobby of a boutique hotel, Nimrod Gruber sticks his hand into an ATM. A few seconds later, a QR code prints out. Gruber takes the slip of paper and walks away, no cash…
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Opinion Will Reuven Rivlin Call ‘Em Reform ‘Rabbis’?
Getty Images ()TA) — Will he refer to Reform rabbis as rabbis? We still don’t know. Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s front-runner in this week’s presidential election, has signaled recently that should he be elected, his goal will be to embrace non-Orthodox Jewish communities rather than antagonize them. Rivlin got a boost in the race on Saturday…
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