The Jewish Week | Editorial & Opinion

We are proud to publish our fifth annual “36 Under 36” special section in this issue, highlighting the achievements of a diverse group of young Jews — including artists, educators, social justice activists and philanthropists — making an impact, and a difference, in our community.

Palestinians marked Tuesday as the day commemorating the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” by protesting in Israel, some throwing stones and Molotov cocktails in what has become an annual ritual of anger, frustration and violence. The real catastrophe is that the Palestinians continue to mourn the past and forfeit the future by refusing to acknowledge the present — the reality of the State of Israel and its right to exist.

The stunning, late-night move in Israel this week that cancels early election plans and creates a strong national unity government is an example of the best and worst in Israeli politics.

Jewish organizations were gratified when in 2010 the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights broadened its interpretation of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition to prohibiting discrimination based on race, national origin or color in federally funded programs, the provision added protection against “harassment of members of religious groups based on shared ethnic characteristics,” which in practical terms includes Jews.