Interfaith Relations
My Relationship Wasn’t Great, But His Father Changed My Life
Israel
Community News
A Tale of Two Cities, Rehovot and Albuquerque
By Andrew Tafoya Leverett This past December I traveled to Rehovot, Israel, on behalf of the Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation. While in Rehovot I enjoyed its cultural attractions, walked its streets and chatted with many of its residents. And I shared a meaningful dialogue and visit with members of the
Israel after October 7th
NATURE HEALS: Eco-Therapy for Recovery and Resilience
By Dan Pava Since October 7, 2023, tens of thousands of Israelis have experienced life-altering trauma. Families were forced from their homes, children witnessed unimaginable violence, and entire communities were uprooted. The resulting fear, grief, and emotional turmoil have left over 3 million Israelis suffering from psychological distress due to
Personal Essay
Choosing One’s Parents
By Bonnie Ellinger One of the very appealing kibbutz customs is the assigning of a “family” to newcomers. The families are usually long-time kibbutz members who volunteer to be welcoming insiders to facilitate the absorption into the kibbutz of new arrivals. My Zionist youth group friends and I, on a
Journalistic Interview
"The Gates of Gaza" Israeli Journalist and Author Amir Tibon interviewed by Bonnie Ellinger - video and transcript
NMJJ felt this extraordinary interview with Israeli Oct. 7th survivor, border kibbutz resident, Haaretz journalist and "Gates of Gaza" author Amir Tibon deserved to be transcribed and published here. This insightful and informed interview conducted by Bonnie Ellinger answers many questions we all have had. The interview on
News
With communal spirit, Nir Oz will rise again
February 23, 2025 By Bonnie Ellinger In the aftermath of October 7th, one place that symbolizes the agony, grief and torment of the massacre is Kibbutz Nir Oz. Twenty-five percent of its 400 members/residents were either brutally murdered or taken hostage, and much of the kibbutz was burned to
News
Reliable, varied sources of NEWS, ANALYSIS and OPINION about Israel and the US.
This is a page to return to again and again. What to think? We really do need to read from various sources before we can form a balanced opinion and think for ourselves. Scan the headlines, stop at the occasional item. Don’t get overloaded, and take a regular break
Israel
Israel Experience
By Ben Bleiman I first visited Israel in 2022 as the world crawled out of another long pandemic winter. I’d registered for a Taglit trip twice in the previous 15 months only for them each to be cancelled just days before I was scheduled to leave, and I wondered
Lists
Can Trees Treat Trauma?
“Nature Heals” program by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel provides eco-therapy experiences that help restore the soul by Rachel Canar, Executive Director of Nature Israel Each Spring, we are reminded that life returns even after the dark and cold winter. Life always finds a way to