Orthodox and Reform Jewish campers will hold a joint Fourth of July celebration. The Americafest celebration next week, which will bring campers from the Orthodox Camp Darom in Grenada, MS, to the Union for Reform Judaism's Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS, was made possible by a grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. The celebration will mark the first time the two camps have come together for an intercamp program day, and will include a Fourth of July parade featuring campers from both camps, an afternoon …More

Two South Africans who made aliyah then perished as IDF soldiers were honored today at the Knesset. [Jerusalem Post] Also today, young Israelis gathered at OneFamily, a group aimed at helping those who have lost a loved one in service. [Ynet] Meanwhile, a Haaretz writer accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of using recycled PR material in a highly publicized interview with CNN last night. [Haaretz] And British newspaper The Guardian has come under fire after ruling Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem, is the capital of Israel. [Israel …More

The two seventh-grade girls walk together down the hall, their heads touching as they talk excitedly. Dana's dark auburn hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Waard's head is covered by a hijab, the traditional Arab headscarf, held with a fashionable pin. Dana is Jewish and lives in the German Colony, a few miles away. Waard is Muslim and lives in the nearby neighborhood of Beit Tzaffafa. Best friends since the first grade, they tell JTA that they were talking about Wednesday's upcoming school ceremony to mark Yom …More

Israel's Independence Day is around the corner, and little plastic hammers being in short supply around DC (and likely flagged on a Homeland Security watch list), the way we celebrate is through non-binding congressional resolutions. So far as I can tell, the first out of the box this year is Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.), who is circulating a resolution among her fellows in the US House of Representatives. So far, she's got 58 co-sponsors, all but four Republican--which is upsetting her staff. Today is the …More

By pushing boundaries in his comedy and his career, Larry David paved the way for Louis CK’s brutal honesty, Ricky Gervais’ social awkwardness, “Entourage,” and nine other major comedic breakthroughs. [Rolling Stone] Researchers are using abandoned Israeli army bunkers along the Jordan River as habitats for endangered bats. [Huffington Post]  Zach Braff discusses the can-do spirit that has imbued his career and led him to pen and star in his own stage play “All New …More

President Shimon Peres congratulated Israel on its 63rd birthday during Tuesday's Independence Day celebration at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, stressing that Israel has come a long way since its establishment. "We proved we can create a budding garden out of obstinate ground," Peres said during a ceremony with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. Peres also commented on the current turmoil in the Middle East, saying, "I am …More

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are celebrating Independence Day in the country's parks and nature reserves. Shlomo Edelman, a high school yeshiva student from Nof Ayalon, won the International Bible Contest which was held in Jerusalem. Among the most popular sites were Hurshat Tal, Lake Hula, the Aminadav Forest and the Sderot Park.  Thousands of Israelis also visited IDF exhibitions held in several bases across Israel. Armored vehicles and weaponry were on display for the general …More

Israels President Shimon Peres lays a wreath during the annual Memorial Day ceremony commemorating fallen soldiers, at the Mt. Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Monday, May 9, 2011. Israel marked its Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of militant attacks Monday, with ceremonies and a wailing siren that brought the country to a standstill in two minutes of silence.  …More

Independence Day celebrations kicked off Monday night in Israel with the lighting of beacons at the official ceremony at Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem, which also marks the conclusion of Memorial Day. The theme of this year's ceremony, for Israel's 63rd Independence Day, is "Looking after one another the year of mutual care." Among the torch lighters this are Orit Dror, a member of Kibbutz Lavi who, together with her husband, donated her son's organs after he died of a terminal illness, and saved the …More