Increase in Israeli Arabs Volunteering for National Service

Summary of Article: A record number of 3,000 Israel Arabs have volunteered this year for national service, up by 76%. This is very brave, considering that many Arab leaders have threatened these youth for their choice to serve. 90% of these youth serve in the Arab sector, volunteering in schools, day cares, and drug recovering programs. They must be courageous, for one woman volunteer had the windows of her home broken as a result. It seems the Palestinian public is in favor of service but the leadership is against it. The breakdown of Arab ethnicity serving is 17% Christian Arab, 21% Druze and 58% Bedouin Muslim. Israel held a ceremony last week praising them.

Discussion with Kids:

• What is national service in Israel? Who serves, how old are they, for how long? (Men for three years, girls for two years, often starting at 18 right out of high school. Nearly all Jewish Israelis serve). 
• Jews aren't the only citizens of Israel. 20% of the population is Arab Israelis. Do they have to serve? (No) But some choose to. 
• Why is this a courageous choice?
• What sort of programs do you think they want to volunteer in? Combat units? Schools? 
• What would you want to do if you did Israeli national service?

Chinese Students Learn About Israel

Summary of Article: In China, 8th grade students in Beijing are preparing for their final exams. One of the subjects is world history. And one of the chapters they must learn is about Israel's wars and how Israel changed after each war. They study Israeli maps, learn how Israel was created, how different armies have attacked Israel, and how the IDF began and progressed to where it is now.

Discussion with Kids:

• Where is China? It takes about half a day to get there from Los Angeles.
• Is there any country that you studied at school this year? What did you learn about them?
• Explain article.
• Why is it good for Israel that Chinese students are learning about it? How does it help Israel feel stronger and less isolated? Why is it good for Chinese students to learn about Israel?
• Is there any country that is particularly interesting to you? Why? (Parents: take opportunity to go on web and spend 5 minutes learning about that country with your child)

Wolves Making a Reapperance

Summary of Article: For years, grey wolves have been declared endangered in most of continental America. As a result, it has been forbidden to hunt them. However, the government now plans to lift that ban, finding that the wolves have recovered and are no longer endangered. Many protest this development. Some say that the wolves need to be watched closely, because in one night, a wolf pack could destroy dozens of a farmer's livestock. Others question what is means to be "recovered," with government officials saying that a wolf doesn't have to occupy all of a habitat for it to be recovered.  and others saying that it does. Hunters welcome this news, as a chance to hunt wolves again. See article for a picture.

Discussion with Kids:

• Wolves were declared "endangered" in America for a long time. Why? How does this happen that animals become endangered? 
• Now, wolves are being declared "recovered." What does this mean? How does this happen?
• Some argue that wolves should still be seen as endangered. What are their reasons? 
• Some want wolves to be off the endangered list. Why would they want that? (Mainly to hunt)
• Where do wolves like to live? Why are farmers often worried about wolves?

Introducing Iran's New President: Hassan Rohani

Summary of Article: Iran has elected a new president, Hassan Rohani, to replace notorious Ahmadinejad. Many in the West are hailing Rohani as a "moderate," "reformer," and a hopeful sign that Iran will contain its nuclear ambitions. However, according to this article by Bret Stephens, Rohani is actually someone to worry about. In 1999, when students were protesting for more rights, he called on the regime to "mercilessly and monumentally" strike them down, resulting in police actions that killed over a dozen students and arrested over a thousand. He was the head of Iran's National Security Council when Iran bombed a Jewish Center in Argentina, killing 85, and Khobar Towers, killing 19 U.S. service people. And he has been cunning in the past, heading Iran's nuclear program and promising the West that Iran was not working on its uranium enrichment when during that time Iran's nuclear infrastructure further developed. Stephens here warns the West not to be deceived by someone who actually does not have a trustworthy record.

Discussion with Kids:

• Why has Iran been worrisome to us in past current event discussions? 
• Iran has elected a new president. Some are saying this is a good sign because he says he wants to work with the West and says he will think about civil rights in his country. Others are worried that he is not trustworthy. 
• How do you find out if a new politician, whom you don't know much about, is someone you can trust or not? Just because politicians make promises, it doesn't mean you can trust them. If you were America, what would you do? (You do research on how they've acted in the past)
• Here's what some of the research has shown: discuss above
• What do you think based on this information? Is Rohani someone we can trust? How would you treat him if you were Obama? If you were Israel?

Israeli Family Saves Palestinian Boy's Life

Summary of Article: 3 year old Israeli boy, Noam Naor Z"L, fell from a window in his home two weeks ago and died. His parents decided to donate his two kidneys to other children who would otherwise die if they did not receive replacements. They donated one to an Israeli child and another to a Palestinian child who has been waiting for seven years for a good match for transplant. Thus, through Noam's death, he has saved two other children's lives.

Discussion with Kids:

• Parents yell at kids a lot for doing all sorts of things. Sometimes the yelling is not for anything serious and sometimes it is. What are unsafe things that could happen in a house?
• Tragically, something unsafe happened in Noam Naor's house. Explain what happened. 
• When someone dies and their body was otherwise healthy, their body parts can be donated and given to people who need those parts to live. That is called organ transplant. Explain article. 
• In what way was what Noam's parents did a mitzvah/good deed? Why was it amazing that it was for an Israeli child and a Palestinian child? 
• Ask your parents if they are registered as organ donors if God forbid anything should happen/if they know anyone who has donated an organ or received a transplant and to tell the story.
• For religious families, explain how organ donation can be done according to halacha. 

Follow Up: Supreme Court Decides Patent Case

Summary of Article: On April 10, we discussed a case before on the Supreme Court on whether genes can be patented. That case was decided last week. The Court ruled that human genes cannot be patented. However, the court said that if a version of the human genes could be created using synthetic materials, that could be patented. One one side, lawyers had argued that patents help spur medical innovation and investments that save lives. On the other side, lawyers argued that patents kept valuable information from patients. Lawyers for the ACLU lauded the decision, saying that it saves lives because patients will have greater access to genetic testing and scientists can study genes without fear of being sued for violating the patent.

Discussion with Kids:

• Ask them if they remember the discussion about this case and to recap.
• Have them argue for each side and guess what the court decided
• Share the court decision and ACLU's argument as to why this is a good decision. 
• Why would synthetic materials be different?

Traveling this summer: you vs. celebrities

Summary of Article: Thought we'd do a fun, mindless current event today to kick off summer. This article is about how celebrities travel v. the rest of us.

Discussion with Kids:

• Are you travelling/having a vacation this summer? How will you get there? Where will you go? Who will pack for you? What will you take? Who will pay for it? 
• Most people travel just like you. But some people, like movie stars and famous musicians, get to travel extra special. What special treatment do you think they get (at airports, at hotels)? 
• At airports, they pull up right to the airport, get met by a special agent who whisks them through security. Then they go through special tunnels and passages to go straight to private planes. 
• They have an assistant pack everything for them and unpack everything. 
• Hotels and restaurants give them cheaper prices or even free things -- like free breakfasts/dinners, lower rates on hotel rooms. 
• They often use fake names, even silly ones, like Mr. Poopy or the names of other movie stars. (What fake name would you use?)
• Why do celebrities get this special treatment? (Hotels/places think they will get good publicity if its known that a celebrity goes there)
• Why do celebrities often want anonymity/privacy? 
• Do you think this is fair? If so, why? If not, which parts are not fair and why? 

Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Law on Voter Registration

Summary of Article: The Supreme Court struck down an Arizona law saying that in order to vote, residents must show proof of citizenship. The Court said the "proof of citizenship" requirement was illegal because it conflicts with the Motor Voter Act, which says that it is forbidden for states to demand more information than that listed on the federal voter form. States can reject applications to vote by non-residents/non-citizens by finding proof of illegality through other means. Arizona claims it created the law to combat voter fraud; since enacted, voter registration has dropped by 44%.

Discussion with Kids:

• How are laws created? (By government officials, by the community, through resolutions)
• What happens if a law is bad or hurts people? (Someone hurt by the law can sue to get it struck down. If they lose their argument, it can be appealed to the Supreme Court)
• The Supreme Court recently heard arguments about a law in Arizona that some claimed hurt people. Explain above.
• Who claims to have been hurt by this law? Why does Arizona say it is a good law? 
• The Court struck the law down. What do you think of this and why? 
• What can Arizona do to discover voter fraud instead? Why is voter fraud a problem?

Syrian Doctor Asks Israeli Doctors for Help

Summary of Article: Right now there is a civil war in Syria. On Tuesday, a Syrian man was brought to Israel in critical condition. He had gun shot wounds and shrapnel in his liver. There was a handwritten note from a Syrian doctor pinned to his clothing. The note said that the Syrian hospital--likely quite rudimentary--had tried to save this man's life with operations but could do no more for him. They hoped that Israel could save him. Israel brought the man to Tsfat, where he is now in stable condition. The Israeli doctor said that the interventions he had in Syria likely saved his life. Another Syrian patient brought into Israel had a live hand grenade in his pocket; Israel had to clear it before helping him. Israel has set up a makeshift hospital on the border between Syria and Israel to help treat some of the wounded.

Discussion with Kids:

• Show on  map where Syria and Israel are. Explain briefly war history between Syria and Israel (1948, 1967, 1973, etc.--Syrian invasions. The two countries are not friends even though Israel would love to sign a peace treaty). Right now Syria is in a civil war (war between people who live in that country)
• In war, people get hurt. Syria does not have so many hospitals to treat its wounded. Explain above story. 
• Why is this story so unusual? This is extraordinary because Syria and Israel do not have diplomatic relations and Syria has recently sent missiles into Israel. Yet the Syrian doctor recognized that only Israel could probably help this man. It shows how individuals can transcend borders....
• Show picture of note.

Is it Safe to Drive And Talk on a Hands-Free Phone System?

Summary of Article: An exhaustive study has just come out about voice activated phones in cars and whether they are safe to use while driving. Car makers are greatly in favor of such systems because they turn high profits -- drivers are increasingly wanting them. These new systems not only allow drivers to make phone calls but to verbally voice commands enabling them to text, email and post on Facebook pages. Car companies say these new technologies are safe because they are hands-free. However, this new study has found that these new technologies are actually quite dangerous. They make drivers too distracted and focused on using the technology--even while they are keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road; the drivers are more likely to have slower reaction times and slower to process things happening on the road. Also, when comparing drivers using these technologies to a driver listening to a book on CD or speaking to a passenger, drivers performed far worse. for instance, they were less likely to look for pedestrians crossing a street.

Discussion with Kids:

• Explain article
• Ask kids: have you ever seen anyone drive while talking on a cellphone? While texting? While talking on a hands-free technology? Have you seen anyone doing these things while stopped at a stop light or at the curb? What's the difference? (More distracted, less safe while driving). 
• What can happen if a driver is distracted and why? (Accident b/c not paying attention)
• Why are scientists worried about these new systems that lets drivers send emails and text messages through voice? Why do car companies want these new technologies? 
• If you were the government and could make rules about what is allowed in cars (government can make rules that impact public safety), what law would you make in light of this new study? 
• The next time you are driving, try to count how many drivers you see that are talking on cell phones or texting. What number did you come up with? 
• When you can drive, what will you do to make sure you are a safe driver? 

Traveling by Tube Instead of Airplane?

Summary of Article: A new company, ET3, is planning a new transportation system, called an Evacuated Tube Transit. It is a tube that goes at high speed and uses magnetic levitation. It can travel 4,000 miles/hour, seat 6 and has room for baggage. It could go from NY to LA in 45 minutes (it currently takes 5+ hours) or from New York to China in 2 hours. They would be set up like freeways and to people traveling inside, would feel like being in a car on a freeway. Initially, they would be used to transport cargo. Click here for a picture of what it would look like.

Discussion with Kids:

• What are different ways to travel far away? (Boat, train, car, airplane). What are advantages and disadvantages to each type? (Time, motion sickness, risk of accident, comfort, etc.) Explain how each evolved in time (first boat travel between continents, trains for cross-continental, then cars, then airplanes).
• What is your favorite way to travel and why? 
• Explain above idea by CEO Daryl Oster. 
• What do you think of this idea? What are pros/cons? 
• If you could make a new type of way to travel, what would it be? What would it look like?

Emerging Victorious After Brutal Wrestling Match

Summary of Article: At the Golden Grand Prix women's wrestling tournament in Italy, an Israeli, Ilana Kartysh, was up against an Egyptian, Enas Mostafa. As traditional in all wrestling matches, Ilana held out her hand to shake her opponent's before the match but Enas refused to shake it. While wrestling, Enas was particularly brutal, biting Ilana on the neck until she bled and breaking two of her fingers. Ilana said this only strengthened her resolve to win. And she won indeed, going on to win the gold medal! She stood proudly at the podium as the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, was played. Click on link for pictures.

Discussion with Kids:

• Explain story.
• Why is it traditional to shake hands before a match? (In other sports, all members of the team shake hands with all members of the other team after a match and say "good game.") What ethic is being reinforced? (Camaraderie, respect for your team mate and acknowledging his/her humanity, remembering that this is for healthy competition but also fun)
• Why was it particularly insulting to Ilana that Enas refused to shake her hand? What could the referee have done? (Refused to let the game start until Enas shook her hand)
• Why were Enas' actions wrong? (She didn't play "nicely")
• Why did Ilana feel particularly proud to hear her national anthem played after Enas treated her this way? 
• Did you ever have a time where someone didn't treat you nicely and it made you want to emerge victorious? 

Israeli Soldier Evades Kidnapping with Help From Her Friends

Summary of Article: Three female Israeli soldiers were walking down the street toward their army base in Israel when a car with Arab men pulled up alongside of them. The men started following the girls and bothering them. One of the men tried to push one of the female soldiers into the car. She fought him; her friends pulled her toward them until they were able to rescue her. The car drove away and the police are looking for the suspects.

Discussion with Kids: 

• Why do some Arab men want to capture Israeli soldiers? (Because they can try to ransom them--we'll only give you back this soldier if you give us someone in Israeli jail). 
• There are many good Arab men, but what did these bad men try to do? How did the girls stop them? 
• What did the girls do after they got away? (Went to the police) 
• How are these girls good examples? (They walked in a group, they helped each other, they went to the police)
• I'm going to tell my kids the following: if a bad guy ever tries to get you into his car, you think of these Israeli girl soldiers and do the same thing: fight, push, scream for help, and then call the police. These soldiers are a great example of how you fight bad guys. The girls probably weren't as strong as the men, but by sticking together and fighting, they succeeded.

Part II: Israel's Security Fence and African Migrants

In January, I posted a current event about Israel's new security fence along its southern border and efforts to keep out African migrants. Today's post is about new developments.

Summary of Articles: Israel is in negotiations with an African country--which one unknown--to transfer 35,000 Eritrean migrants currently living in Israel. The African country has said it will take the migrants so long as Israel gives them agricultural training first. Israel has also offered financial aid, medical assistance and infrastructure to any country that will take them in. Resettlement could take years. Prime Minister Netanyahu also recently commented that due to Israel's southern security fence, the number of infiltrators has steadily decreased. In May 2012, 1000 people entered Israel illegally and were detained, as opposed to two in May 2013. Netanyahu says they will work to repatriate them.

Discussion with Kids:

• Review the current event from January 3 about Israel's security fence
• Speak about the updates above
• Why do African countries not want to take in the African refugees? (Money, refugee problems of their own, etc.)
• Why do the refugees seek asylum in Israel? (Economic opportunity, fear of persecution in their homeland)
• What has Israel offered in exchange for the refugees? Why would African nations want these things? 
• What do you think Israel should do?

Contaminated Water Found in Japan Resulting from Nuclear Disaster

Summary of Article: In Japan, a terrible earthquake and tsunami destroyed a nuclear power plant run by the company Tepco. This is considered the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. Tepco at first claimed that it wasn't its fault, since it could not foresee the earthquake. Later investigations found that Tepco's lack of a safety culture and bad habits exacerbated the problem, releasing "obscene quantities of radiation into the air and sea" unnecessarily. Tepco was held responsible for cleaning up the nuclear spill but now the company has been found to be doing a poor job: contaminated ground water near the plant has been discovered. Tepco wants to solve the crisis by allowing some of the nuclear waste to go into the ocean but local fishermen are against this. For pictures of the plant and more discussion, click here.

Discussion with Kids:

• Why did Tepco at first claim that the nuclear spill wasn't its fault? What did the Japanese government decide? 
• Who is responsible for cleaning up the nuclear waste? Why is Tepco found to have done a bad job cleaning it up? 
• Why are fishermen against having the waste go into the ocean? 
• If ground water and nearby sea water are contaminated, who suffers? Go down the food chain. (For the sea: fish and people who eat the fish. For ground water: local crops, rice and the people who eat that food). 
• What would you do if you were the Japanese government? 

U.S. Leaks Sensitive Information About Israel

Summary of Article: The U.S. has promised to help Israel build a special ballistic missile, called the Arrow 3. It would be made in a special facility called Tel Shahar. But the Administration revealed all the details of the facility --its cooling and heating systems, its wall specifications -- making the facility open to easy attack. Israel is very upset about this. The U.S. says it is standard practice to reveal facility specifications in order to get competing bids for its construction. The Facility is supposed to be top secret and is in great need because of Iran's budding nuclear program.

Discussion with Kids:

• Israel wants to build a special weapon, called a ballistic missile, to protect itself against Iran.  
• Why do you think the missile has been named "Arrow 3"? (Perhaps it will be shaped like an arrow; it will be thrown like an arrow; it is the 3rd one in its class?) 
• The U.S. has expertise to help Israel build it. But it told the world where the missile is going to be built. Why is Israel upset that the information was revealed? 
• What do you think the U.S. said in its defense? 
• What does it mean to get competing bids for a project? 
• If you were Israel, what would you do now that the information was revealed? 

Obituary: Remebering Senator Frank Lautenberg

Summary of Article: Senator Lautenberg, a Jewish Senator of New Jersey for over 30 years, died today at 89.

Discussion with Kids:

• Tell story of Lautenberg's upbringing: Lautenberg grew up in Paterson, N.J. (show on map), the son of poor Poland and Russian immigrants.He served in the army in World War II, then went to Columbia on the G.I. bill, studying economics. (Discuss the G.I. bill; how did it help army veterans post-army?) 
• He served as head of the United Jewish Appeal, substantially increasing the charitable intake. What does this mean? Why is it good? He became a beloved Senator of NJ for over 30 years.
• Lautenberg used to say that his parents "could not pass on valuables, but left me a legacy of values."What does this mean? 
• As a Senator, he helped bring about well-known legislation, including laws banning smoking on planes, bringing the drinking age to 21 and banning convicted domestic abusers from owning guns. He is most famous for the "Lautenberg Amendment," a law which eases rules on immigration to the U.S. for those seeking asylum from religious persecution; the law was passed in particular to help Soviet Jews seeking to flee Russia. How did it help them? 
• If you were a U.S. Senator, what would you want to do to help America?