JFNA Daily Media Report -- Jan. 28, 2013

Mon, 01/28/2013 - 5:30pm

Israel & Mideast:

In Mideast issues, analysts say Israel is on high alert about control of Syria's chemical weapons. There are contradictory media reports on whether there was an explosion at an Iranian nuke site. John Kerry, nominated as the next Secretary of State, faces pessimism over his aims to help Israel and the Palestinians come to an agreement. Israel faces complaints over whether it coaxed Ethiopian immigrants to accept birth-control medication.Mideast:• NY Times -- Israel Girds for Attacks as Syria Falls Apart  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/world/middleeast/refugee-crisis-grows-as-violence-flares-across-syria.html?_r=0• JPost -- Analysis: Israel on high alert over Syrian chemical weapons  http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=301317• Times UK -- Iranian uranium-enriching facility ‘is damaged by explosion’ http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article3670109.ece• YNetNews -- US 'does not believe' reports about blast at Iran nuke plant  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4338234,00.html• National Journal -- Could John Kerry Broker a Mideast Peace Deal? Probably Not  http://www.nationaljournal.com/nationalsecurity/could-john-kerry-broker-a-mideast-peace-deal-probably-not-20130128?mrefid=site_searchDomestic Israeli Issues:• Haaretz -- Why is the birth rate in Israel's Ethiopian community declining?  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/why-is-the-birth-rate-in-israel-s-ethiopian-community-declining.premium-1.483494 • Forbes -- Israel Forcibly Injected African Immigrants with Birth Control, Report Claims  http://www.forbes.com/sites/eliseknutsen/2013/01/28/israel-foribly-injected-african-immigrant-women-with-birth-control/

For more Israel news, see the weekly JFNA Israel news page: http://www.jewishfederations.org/Weekly-News-Items-in-Israel.aspx

For more security news, see JFNA’s Secure Community Network (SCN) news page:http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1091809/bcb5afdb71/521804587/8fddab0b42/

Israel Advocacy:

Anti-Israel protesters occupy a soccer federation's offices in protest of Israel's role in hosting a tournament. Water treatment plans in St Louis face criticism by anti-Israel activists.

• Haaretz -- Pro-Palestinian group protests at UEFA offices  http://www.haaretz.com/news/sports/soccer-israel-2013-pro-palestinian-group-protests-at-uefa-offices-1.496553• Forward -- 'Dump Veolia' Water Debacle in St. Louis Is Latest in BDS Battle  http://forward.com/articles/169918/dump-veolia-water-debacle-in-st-louis-is-latest-in/#ixzz2JJKBay5u For Israel advocacy news, see the Israel Action Network’s newly redesigned and enhanced website: http://israelactionnetwork.org/

Federations/Philanthropy: Globally, turnover in the Obama administration may affect the Jewish community, with a new White House Jewish liaison, and new chief of staff (JFNA's William Daroff is quoted on the latter transition). Political battles may be undermining the vigilance of government officials assigned to protect long-term care facilities for the elderly and disabled. A public radio station takes a unique angle on building the base.

Federations are highlighted in Silicon Valley, Seattle, Middlesex County NJ and Sarasota-Manatee FL.

Global:

• JTA -- Obama taps chief of staff with strong ties to Jewish community  http://www.jta.org/news/article/2013/01/27/3117851/obama-names-mcdonough-chief-of-staff• USA Today -- Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Face Challenges To Independence  http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2013/January/28/long-term-care-ombudsmen.aspx• Poynter -- Public radio’s looooong-term strategy: Have more babies, listeners  http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/201999/public-radios-looooong-term-strategy-have-more-babies-listeners/

Local:

• Saratoga Patch -- Jewish Federation CEO Celebrates 25 Years Serving Silicon Valley  http://saratoga.patch.com/blog_posts/jewish-federation-ceo-celebrates-25-years-serving-silicon-valley• Seattle Times -- Cheryl Stumbo: Speaking for the victims  http://seattletimes.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2020199299_nicolestumboxml.html?cmpid=2628• NJ Jewish News -- Super Sunday donations are on the rise  http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/16109/super-sunday-donations-are-on-the-rise#.UQbbL5jBkng• Sarasota Herald Tribune -- Israel's day draws crowd  http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130128/ARCHIVES/301281034?p=1&tc=pg