Closing Reflections
In her final contribution to Open Zion, Mira Sucharov offers some closing reflections on what she's learned from participating in this blog community.
Mira Sucharov is associate professor of political science at Carleton University in Ottawa, where she specializes in Israeli-Palestinian relations and Jewish affairs. She is the author of The International Self: Psychoanalysis and the Search for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, and is the current country analyst for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza for Freedom House. She is a recipient of a Simon Rockower Award for Excellence in Jewish Journalism, and is currently writing a book on nostalgia and political change. In addition to writing for Open Zion, Mira Sucharov blogs at Haaretz.com.
'Lived Jewishness'
Critics’ concerns over a Jewish cultural affirmation plan for non-Jews desiring a connection to Judaism—without converting—are valid, but it’s an initiative worth considering, says Mira Sucharov.
Robust Debate
Jewish organizations don't seem to realize how significant it is that the United Church’s boycott of Israeli-made products in the West Bank is so circumscribed. Mira Sucharov reports.
True Faithful Love
Last Sunday, Harper was feted at the annual JNF Negev Dinner in Toronto, where he spared no opportunity to laud Israel while criticizing its neighbors.
Musical Icon
The death of musical icon Arik Einstein should remind Diaspora Jews that if they let the music, art and culture of Israel flourish in a silo, they will be all the poorer.
Anti-Semitic Reverb
In Sweden, Jews have raised concerns over the longstanding ban on kosher slaughter, proposals to outlaw ritual circumcision, and sporadic demonstrations by neo-Nazi groups, says Mira Sucharov.
Israeli Multiculturalism?
While the social issues affecting the Bedouin citizens in the Negev are troubling, Mira Sucharov asks whether the solution lies in the Prawer-Begin bill, which would displaced tens of thousands of Bedouin from their homes.
Synagogue and State
Allowing public workers in Canada to wear religious head coverings does not put a commitment to secularism at risk, says Mira Sucharov.
Film Review
The Palestinian village of Lubya was evacuated in 1948, its residents expelled and structures reduced to rubble. As a new documentary shows, the remains are still visible within a forest planted by the Jewish National Fund.