Secret Agent Cell Phones

Article: At Israel's nuclear reactor, employees' cell phones are disabled as soon as they enter work. They cannot text, email or surf the internet; they can only make calls. This is to prevent the possibility of cyber attacks or the capturing of sensitive information by the phones. Apparently cyber attacks are so complex now, they can be performed remotely through cell phones, merely by their being on. Other high-tech companies in Israel are demanding the same thing from their workers, so that competitors can't see groundbreaking technology in the works. This includes taking out the cellphone battery so conversations can't be taped.

Discussion:

• Why are people worried about spying and cyber attacks through cellphones? 
• How did cell phones have this capability to "steal" information? 
• If you were a secret agent, how would you capture necessary info? 

Kurds Posturing for Own Homeland

Article: Kurds are an ethnic people with a distinct language, history and land. Here is a map of their ancestral land, situated between Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. For years, Kurds in Iraq and Iran have struggled for independence, to create their own nation. With the civil war in Syria, Kurds in late 2013 declared their own state in northern Syria. They also announced their own constitution, which interestingly does not mention Islam and has equal rights for men and women. It calls for the Kurdish language to be equal to Arabic, for a national anthem, a national holiday, etc. The nation already has its own police force, army, flag and identity. Other nations in the neighborhood are threatened by this idea.

Discussion: 

• The Kurds claim to be an independent people worthy of self-determination, not Iraqi, Iranian, etc. What does it mean to be a "Nation?" What attributes should a people have to have their own national identity?
• Why do the Kurds want independence? Would you if you were Kurdish?
• Fun fact: some of the most ancient Jewish history comes from Kurdish Jews, who spoke in Aramaic, the language of the Talmud, until emigrating to Israel in the 1950s and 60s. They lived among Iraqi Kurds for thousands of years.
• The US and Israel has thus far remained silent on the Kurdish declaration of independence. How do you think they should come out? 

Israel Appoints First Female Combat Doctor in IDF

Article: Dr. Shani, 29, has joined an IDF counter terrorism unit as the first female combat doctor, winning over 3 male candidates for the job. She is blazing a new trail as a woman combat doctor, winning to take part of special field operations and go into combat with soldiers. She says the training course was "grueling" but also critical for connecting with the soldiers; she said that as a women, it was not easy at first to connect. She was able to assist a soldier who was injured in training and needed medical assistance.She says she is excited to begin her work. Interestingly, Dr. Shani's mother made history as the first female lieutenant-colonel of the Civil Administration in the West Bank.

Discussion:

• What does it mean to be a combat doctor?
• Why is this job critical for helping soldiers? Why is it also risky to the doctor? 
• My mother's cousin, Jacob Reyman Z"L, was a combat doctor in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He died in the line of duty on the Golan Heights. His dream had been to become a doctor in Israel. You may want to discuss why Dr. Shani's actions are "heroic" and difficult. 

Pope's Ill Omen?

Article: The Pope appeared in the Vatican yesterday to pray for victims of civil unrest and violence in Ukraine. For over a week now, protesters have been fighting with police and government over the government's choice to sign a bail-out pact with Russia instead of a long-hoped for trade agreement with the EU. The fights have recently become violent. As a symbolic gesture of hopes for "constructive dialogue" between the feuding parties and for future good will, he had children release two doves into the air. Almost as soon as they took off, a seagull attacked one dove and a crow repeatedly attacked another. See here for pictures documenting the whole thing. Commentators say this attack shows that omen is actually an ill omen; others say it is coincidence.

Discussion:

• What do you think? Do you think it is an ill omen or coincidence? 
• What does it mean to be superstitious? What are examples of ways you have seen people be superstitious or you are superstitious? 

Wildfire Rages Near Los Angeles

Article: A wildfire has scorched forests near Los Angeles, forcing people from nearly 900 homes to evacuate today. The fire has ravaged 1,700 acres in suburbs just north of Los Angeles. Several schools and colleges in the area were also evacuated. Three men have admitted to starting the fire by setting a campfire, which sparked the blaze. At least one of the men are homeless. They have been arrested. Click here for pictures of the devastation.

Discussion:

• When there is a wildfire, what is at danger of being hurt? (Houses, people, animals, trees)
• Have you ever seen a forest after a fire? If not, imagine. What does it look like? What does it smell like? 
• What crime are the men possibly being arrested for? 

Kids Entering Hospitals Should be Happy, Says Israeli Hospital

Article: When kids go to a hospital for treatment, it is usually a stressful experience. Kids often get wheeled in on wheelchairs or walk through long corridors. The Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel has come up with a solution. Now, entering child patients get pushed in pedal cars to their hospital destination. See here for a picture. This not only reduces stress but lightens the atmosphere and brings a smile to the childrens' faces.

Discussion:

• Have you ever been to the hospital as a patient or visitor? What do you remember? 
• Why would some children entering the hospital feel nervous? 
• How does this provide a solution? 
• What other solutions can you come up with to make hospitals better for kids? 

West African Lions Nearly Extinct

Sorry for posting so late in the day! 

Article: Research shows lions in West Africa may be on the brink of extinction. There may only be less than 250 left, confined to less than 1% of their historic land. The study shows that without dramatic conservation, nearly all the West African lions will become extinct in the next five years. Reasons for their extinction: people have converted their wild lands to pastureland, leading to less land and inbreeding; people have hunted the lion's traditional prey (antelopes, gazelles, buffalos, zebras); people have gotten into problems with the animals and killed them. Due to little money, West African countries have put almost no money into conservation. Most research teams and tourism go to East and Southern Africa, leaving little money going to conservation in West Africa.

Discussion:

• What can be done to immediately save/conserve the lions of West Africa?
• What can research institutions do to help? 
• Look at a map of the region and discuss West v. East v. South African conservation efforts
• Discuss why it is important to protect animals and our planet. 

   

Obituary: Ariel Sharon (1928-2014)

Article: One of Israel's greatest warriors, former defense minister and former prime minister, Ariel Sharon, died this weekend at age 85. Sharon fought or commanded troops in every one of Israel's wars for over 50 years, beginning with the War of Independence (1948). He is responsible both for building Israel's settlement campaign in the West Bank and Gaza and for initiating Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Many say his life spanned the founding and building of the State of Israel. He had an unswerving devotion to Israel and the Jewish people, believing that Jews will only be safe so long as they can defend themselves by themselves.

Born Ariel ("Arik") Scheinermann on a kibbutz in Palestine in 1928, he remembers growing up hoeing the land with his father. He changed his last name to Sharon (meaning Israeli coastal plain) as a teenager. In 1948, he commanded an infantry unit and was wounded in a battle to secure the road to Jerusalem, which was under siege. Later, he created Unit 101, tasked with conducting secret operations against Palestinian terrorists. He became famous for his effective tactics and raids. Not a religious man, his Zionism came from pragmatism rather than religion. He also knew personal tragedy. His first wife died in a car accident in 1962 and his son, Gur, died in a shooting accident 5 years later. After his first wife's death, Sharon wed her younger sister, Lily. They remained married until her death. They had two sons and 6 grandchildren. Before his sudden stroke, which led to his death, he believed he could bring peace to Israel.

ASA Backlash; Turn to MLA

Article: A few weeks ago, the American Studies Association voted to endorse an academic boycott against Israel. Though this is seen throughout Europe, it was the first time a mainstream academic association in America chose to do so. There was immediate backlash against this. As of yesterday, 157 universities have condemned the boycott, as well as nearly all major academic associations and several congresspeople. Today begins the MLA (Modern Language Association) annual convention in Chicago. They are having a round-table filled solely with anti-Israel speakers on why they endorse academic boycotts. Jewish organizations have been organizing for weeks, and have prepared a counter panel and statements on why this round-table is biased and misinformed.

Discussion:

• What does academic boycott mean? Who does it hurt? 
• What are the best ways to fight a boycott? 
• Why is it unjust to have an academic boycott (Speak about academic freedom, flow of information and the need for lack of boundaries for research and education)
• A lawyer and Cornell professor is suing the ASA for breaking its tax exempt status (501(c)(3)) by issuing an academic boycott of Israel. He argues that it makes the ASA a political organization, not an educational one. What do you think? 

Asylum Seekers Protest in Israel

Article: Thousands of refugees from Eritrea and Sudan, fleeing persecution in their countries, have come to Israel. They seek asylum--the chance to live in Israel, work and raise families. Many are Muslim and ironically few of the Muslim nations have taken them in. At first Israel, gave refuge to them but after several years, they have swelled in numbers and overwhelmed the small Jewish state. Now Israel has a new policy of detaining them and expelling them. For the fourth day in a row, these refugees have protested this policy by refusing to work and assembling outside the Knesset in Jerusalem. There is confusion in Israel over what to do. Click here for pictures of the protesters in Jerusalem. 

Discussion: 

• What is an asylum seeker? 
• Why did Israel initially take in the asylum seekers? (Memories of the Holocaust; "right" thing to do)
• Why is Israel having second thoughts now? (There are too many; Israel is a tiny country; need to preserve the Jewish character of the nation)
• What should Israel do? 

New Firefighter Class Surprisingly Undiverse

Article: The LAFD (LA Fire Dept) has made promises to diversify its firefighters. Yet a news report today shows that the incoming class is nearly all male and mostly white. Of the 70 firefighters who will begin training on Monday, there is only 1 woman. 23% are Latino, 11% are Asian-American and 6% are African-American. In contrast, the city of LA is 29% white, 49% Latino, 11% Asian, and 10% black. The city wants to see the fire department reflect the ethnic makeup of the city.

Discussion:

• Why does it matter if a government agency is "diverse"?
• Why does the Fire Department tend to be mostly male and white? (It is an old boys family club, with many firefighters coming from firefighter families, where all the males in their families have been firefighters going back generations)
• What are characteristics you need to be a good firefighter? Why would this make it challenging for some women? 
• To be a firefighter, you also have to pass a written exam. This has been a prohibitive bar for some ethnicities. Why is it necessary to pass a test to be a firefighter? What do you think is on the test? 

A Ring for Chocolate? A WWII Trade

Article: During World War II, a US pilot, David Cox, was shot down over Germany and became a prisoner of war. The POW camp, Stalag VII-A, was a terrible place, with little food and bug-infested rations. After a year and a half, Cox was desperate for food. Fearing he would die unless he got something to eat, he traded his treasured gold ring, a gift from his parents inscribed with his name, birthday and hometown , for a couple of bars of chocolate from an Italian POW. The ring next was traded with a Russian soldier for a night's room and board at a bar in Serbia. The bar was owned by the grandparents of Martin Kiss, who received the ring as a good luck charm when he later moved to Germany. He kept the ring in a jar and wondered how to get it back to its rightful owner. He asked his neighbor in Germany, an air traffic controller for the U.S. army, to help him. Searching the Internet, they found a 219 page thesis mentioning the ring. It was written by the husband of Cox's granddaughter. Contacting them, Kiss next mailed the ring to Cox's son (Cox is deceased). The ring and family are now reunited.

Discussion:

• How do think Cox felt to trade the ring? How do you think he would have felt to receive it again? 
• How did Cox's family know about the ring? (They probably heard stories about it from Cox)
• If you knew someone going off to war, what would you give them as a good luck amulet? 

One of world's greatest pianists takes on Israeli citizenship

Article: Award winning pianist Evgeny Kissin, regarded as one of the world's greatest living pianists, took on Israeli citizenship in December. Born in Russian and living in London and Paris, Kissin decided to become an Israeli citizen because he loves Israel and his Jewish identity. Natan Sharansky, the penultimate Russia Israeli, bestowed the passport at a ceremony in Israel and Kissin then gave a concert. He explained his decision in the following statement:

“When Israel’s enemies try to disrupt concerts of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra or the Jerusalem Quartet, I want them to come and make troubles at my concerts, too: because Israel’s case is my case, Israel’s enemies are my enemies, and I do not want to be spared of the troubles which Israeli musicians encounter when they represent the Jewish State beyond its borders." 

Discussion:

• Why did Kissin decide to become an Israeli citizen, even though he doesn't live there? 
• What is courageous about what Kissin has done? 
• What happens to some Israeli musicians at their concerts? Why does this upset Kissin?
• See a video of Kissin playing piano (starting at 2:37 minutes into the video)