What Israel and the Palestinians make of Jerusalem recognition



JERUSALEM – Amid the global controversy over President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state, Israeli and Palestinian leaders actually found rare consensus: They agreed that the development was a win for Israel and a loss for the Palestinians. To be sure, Trump’s concession was not a major one. Israel was always expected to get […]

Vinik’s newest investment is Rad



Less than 6 months ago, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik spoke at an event showcasing eight Israeli startup tech companies that were seeking U.S. investors. He told a crowd of about 350 at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC that, “We have to let it be known that Tampa and the Tampa Bay area is open for business in the […]

Tampa Jews deliver aid, love, hope to Puerto Rico



When Rabbi Josh Hearshen and six congregants of Congregation Rodeph Sholom in Tampa made a recent trip to deliver aid to the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, they were struck by the spirit of the people there, as well as how long the recovery process is likely to take. “It is not a matter of months, but more […]

Just a nosh…



Trump administration: Western Wall will surely be a part of Israel WASHINGTON – The Trump administration said it cannot envision an outcome in which the Western Wall is not part of Israel – the first signal by any U.S. administration that it recognizes a claim to Jerusalem outside the 1967 lines. Senior administration officials briefing reporters about Vice President Mike […]

Resolutions, I’ve had a few



I’ve only made one New Year’s resolution that I’ve kept. Picture it: Winter, 2005, at a deli on Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland. I sat around the table with seven or eight Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland colleagues. I was a freshly minted mom, having just had my daughter, Hila, some three months prior, and I was newly back to […]

Tickets on sale for annual Vodka Latke on Dec. 24



The Tampa Jewish Federation and Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties will jointly host the annual Vodka Latke, a popular annual event for Jewish singles and couples in their 20s, 30s and 40s, on Sunday, Dec. 24 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Franklin Manor in downtown Tampa. Franklin Manor, a co-sponsor of the event, offers handcrafted cocktails, […]

How do we allow this to happen?



As a product of the television generation, I admit it… I love Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan, and This Is Us. To see them usually entails binge watching over vacation, but that just adds to the fun. So when ABC launched a new series this fall entitled Kevin Probably Saves the World, I was intrigued. It’s a fairly mediocre “dramedy” […]

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times



Temple Ahavat Shalom Palm Harbor



Former U.S. ambassador to speak: Spend an evening with Ambassador Robert Ford on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in an appearance sponsored by AIPAC. Ford is currently a senior fellow at Middle East Institute in Washington, where he writes about developments in the Middle East and North Africa. He served as U.S. ambassador to Syria from 2010-2014, making him […]

Cong. B’nai Israel St. Petersburg



Happy new year: Ring in the New Year early and bid farewell to Shabbat with a champagne toast on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the congregation’s annual New Year’s Eve Seudah Shlishit, the traditional third meal of Shabbat. An RSVP is required for this free event. RSVP to Pam Askin at (727) 381-4901 or officemgr@cbistpete.org. Havdala in the […]