News
Gay marriage no threat
Opponents of President Bush chart the erosion of his presidency to the war in Iraq, the failure to initially address the Katrina devastation, and the breakdown of the American banking system. All of this may be so, but it is equally likely that the outgoing president did much good for which he is given little credit. Be that as it may, I identify President Bush’s going off-message to another event entirely. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the president’s famous reaction was to encourage the country to go on a shopping spree. “Get down to Disney World in Florida,” he urged just over two weeks after 9/11.
Reporting from the G.A.
Before leaving office, Olmert addresses U.S. Jews
JERUSALEM — In a normal year, an address by the Israeli prime minster would be treated as the centerpiece of a gathering of American Jews, especially one being held in Jerusalem. But the context of Ehud Olmert’s appearance at the opening plenary of the United Jewish Communities General Assembly on Sunday was anything but normal.
Reporting from the G.A.
Israeli candidates stump before U.S. Jews
JERUSALEM — While Israel was one of only three countries in the world where polls before the U.S. presidential election showed a majority of citizens preferred John McCain over Barack Obama, the overwhelming sentiment in Israel following Obama’s election was more envious than apprehensive.
Across the ocean, Americans appeared excited by their president-elect and moved by an election considered a watershed for race relations in America. The country, it seemed, was turning a new page of history.
By contrast, Israel is entering an election campaign that seems mired in the past.
Reporting from the G.A.
G.A. organizers reach out to 'Next Gen'
JERUSALEM (JTA)—This might be your grandparents’ federation system, but now it should belong to you.
That was essentially the message organizers of this year’s United Jewish Communities General Assembly were hoping to hammer home by programming an entire day aimed at “Next Gen” participants. The effort drew about 800 participants overall.
