First Open Lesbian Rabbi President of Reform Judaism CCAR

First openly gay president of Reform Judaism rabbi group to be installed By Melanie Nathan December 16, 2015. On Monday, Rabbi Denise Eger, 55, became the third woman and first openly lesbian (LGBT) president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), the rabbinical arm of the Reform Judaism movement, which is holding is 126th … More First Open Lesbian Rabbi President of Reform Judaism CCAR

Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

See Video: South African Jews Recite Mourners Kaddish for Mandela By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. When Mandela died the most pious of South African Jews and the most secular of South African Jews all mourned – we had lost Tata Madiba, the man who had brought freedom for all, to South Africa. President Jacob … More Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

The BDS movement is clearly now a tool for anti-Semitism By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2015. Threatening to kill South African Jews is surely not the South Africa Mandela would have endorsed. Unfortunately the BDS movement in South Africa is causing anti-Semitic terror.  Reports have emerged from Johannesburg, that Protesters chanted anti-Semitic slogans and threatened … More BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

South African Rally for Israel Speaks Peace in Face of Years of Rising Anti-Semitism

Over 10,000 turn out for South African Rally to Support Israel Posted by Melanie Nathan, Aug 05, 104. Johannesburg – Aug 04- 2014. On Sunday, more than 12,000 South Africans, representing a broad spectrum of society, came together to stand united in solidarity with Israel, while condemning the use of terror by Hamas against the citizens of … More South African Rally for Israel Speaks Peace in Face of Years of Rising Anti-Semitism

Jewish Congregations Join Forces to March in San Francisco Pride Parade

Reform Jewish Congregations to March together as one Community on June 29, 2014! By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2014. For the first time, the 25 Reform congregations in the greater Bay Area will march together in the San Francisco Pride Parade, June 29, 2014.  Reform Jews from across the Bay Area will march together as … More Jewish Congregations Join Forces to March in San Francisco Pride Parade

Overlooked Veterans will now be honored by President Obama

Things we love to hear about Melanie Nathan, Feb 21, 2014., President Obama will correct a historical act of discrimination next month when he awards the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest commendation for combat valor, to 19 Hispanic, Jewish and African-American veterans overlooked previously because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds. The unusual presentation … More Overlooked Veterans will now be honored by President Obama

South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

Songs and prayers in all religious congregations all over South Africa | “As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, its become the central task that we reflect on what needs to be done to sustain his legacy to ensure we do not betray what he and other sacrificed for and stood for” former President … More South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. Rosh Hashana, (“Head of the Year”,) which begins at sundown this evening, ushers in ten days of Jewish soul-searching, known as the “Days of Awe.” It ends with the “closing of the gates” on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider giving. This two-day holiday begins on 1 Tishrei, … More Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

The Talmud gets an Index

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 30, 2011 Touting a groundbreaking literary achievement… A US-based Jewish publisher has produced an alphabetical index to the Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud), a work it describes as “a groundbreaking literary achievement.”  Now the “HaMafteach” (“The Key”), provides a new indexed reference guide to the Talmud. The Talmud is the 63-volume … More The Talmud gets an Index

Haiti Israelis First on the Scene and Immediately Effective

The Israelis never cease to amaze me. Not only do they carry so much inventive brain power but they have the guts and energy to show up. When they show up they know exactly what they are doing and they do it well.    Arriving first into Haiti and able to roll a fully operative ER … More Haiti Israelis First on the Scene and Immediately Effective

Anti Semitism in South Africa

 See this blog; http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/traps/2009/03/10/cosatu%e2%80%99s-hate-speech-constitution/#comment-74068 I have to disagree on one point – Anti zionists are more often than not anti-semites; and that said the line is so fine that for the percentage that purport to not be anti semitic – well just take a hard look at who they are and what they do. Jews … More Anti Semitism in South Africa