Keren Hayesod

On the occasion of the 137th birthday of the man who already early on in his lifetime was bestowed with the title the National Hebrew Poet, a look at how his views changed toward America after visiting in 1926.

With the U.S. economy faltering and nonprofits scrambling to meet their fundraising goals, an unexpected source of philanthropic dollars is emerging: Jews in the Far East.
On the eve of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, which open Aug. 8., a growing Jewish presence in the Far East and Southeast Asia — and its growing wealth — is coming into sharper relief.

With the U.S. economy faltering and nonprofits scrambling to meet their fundraising goals, an unexpected source of philanthropic dollars is emerging: Jews in the Far East.
On the eve of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, which open Aug. 8., a growing Jewish presence in the Far East and Southeast Asia — and its growing wealth — is coming into sharper relief.

Local Jewish leaders returned from a 37-hour solidarity trip to Israel this week strengthened in their resolve that, as UJA-Federation executive vice president John Ruskay put it, "We're all in this together."
He added that Israelis seemed committed to "stand firm, particularly after the prime minister had made such an offer for peace" this summer at Camp David. But Ruskay also sensed "an undercurrent of despondency. The choices are difficult and limited, and that's what makes this a crisis."