Sharansky, Understanding The Need, Presses On For Kotel Changes

Posted: Sun, 05/05/2013 - 22:19 | Posted by: Gary Rosenblatt | The RosenBlog

Support faltered, then rebounded, this week for Natan Sharansky’s bold plan to transform the Western Wall into a site for both traditional and alternative prayer, as the Jewish Agency chair held intense discussions with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office, seeking to establish a timeline for the project and move it forward.

Yehuda Avner's 10 Commandments

Posted: Tue, 04/23/2013 - 17:18 | Posted by: Gary Rosenblatt | The RosenBlog

Ambassador Yehuda Avner is the 84-year-old rock star of Jewish media these days.

His 2010 memoir, “The Prime Ministers,” based on the notes he took as a senior advisor to five Israeli prime ministers in their private meetings with world leaders, is still a best-seller and still in hard cover. A full-length documentary film, based on the book, will have its New York premiere on May 7.

L.A. Film Director Having A Jewish Impact

Posted: Fri, 03/22/2013 - 08:43 | Posted by: Gary Rosenblatt | The RosenBlog

Jill Soloway, a hip Hollywood writer/director/producer (“Six Feet Under,” “The United States of Tara”), has become a Jewish activist in the last several years and is having quite an impact on the L.A. community. And it could go national soon.

She spoke at the international conference of the Jewish Funders Network this week in L.A. of how she helped found East Side Jews, an informal and popular group, particularly among young artist types, that seeks to “reinvent” Jewish life and make it “about joy, not sadness.”

Why Is Obama Going To Israel In March?

Posted: Thu, 02/28/2013 - 17:47 | Posted by: Gary Rosenblatt | The RosenBlog

There has been a good deal of speculation about why President Obama, who did not visit Israel during his first term, is planning to go to Jerusalem in three weeks.