JFNA Daily Media Report -- Feb. 1, 2013

Fri, 02/01/2013 - 2:55pm

Israel & Mideast:

In Mideast issues, Syria threatens to counter-attack Israel for strikes Israel reportedly launched this week on military targets; a former Syrian army official says one of the targets was indeed non-conventional weapons; and Reuters looks at the strategy behind Israel’s silence on the issue. Meanwhile, a report this afternoon says Israeli planes are flying reconnaissance missions over Lebanon. Also, VP Biden warns Iran the time for diplomacy on nuclear issues is not infinite.

On the Palestinian front, the Algemeiner features a look at one of Israel’s leading journalists on Palestinian issues – himself a Palestinian. Mideast:• N.Y. Times -- Syria Says It Has Right to Counterattack Israel http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/world/middleeast/syria-crisis.html• Times of Israel -- Ex-general says targeted Syrian site produced non-conventional weapons http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-russian-experts-habitually-present-at-targeted-syrian-facility/• Forward (Reuters) -- Israeli Silence on Syria Is Strategic http://forward.com/articles/170358/israeli-silence-on-syria-is-strategic/• Times of Israel -- Israeli warplanes reportedly fly over Lebanon http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-warplanes-reportedly-fly-over-lebanon/• Jerusalem Post -- Biden to Iran: Time for diplomacy is not unlimited http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=301776Israel-Palestinians:• Algemeiner -- Censored by Facebook, Arab-Israeli Journalist Continues to Expose PA Corruption http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/02/01/censored-by-facebook-arab-israeli-journalist-continues-to-expose-pa-corruption/For more Israel news, see the weekly JFNA Israel news page: http://www.jewishfederations.org/Weekly-News-Items-in-Israel.aspxFor more security news, see JFNA’s Secure Community Network (SCN) news page:http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1091809/bcb5afdb71/521804587/8fddab0b42/

Israel Advocacy:

The  JPost looks at a Jewish Agency study that younger Jews want a full, honest picture of Israel, rather than an idealized version; a Lebanese commentator says Arabs have much to learn from Israeli democracy; a mayoral candidate in New York City blasts Brooklyn College for hosting an anti-Israel BDS event; the LA Jewish Journal reports on a Facebook battle over Israel; and the Algemeiner’s Ronn Torossian comments on the double-standard media often apply to Israel, in the wake of a NY Times report on racism among a top Jerusalem soccer team (see the Times story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/world/middleeast/some-fear-a-soccer-teams-racist-fans-mirror-israel.html).• Jerusalem Post -- Jewish Agency: Don’t sugarcoat Israel http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=301748• Ynet News (op-ed, Talal Salman) -- Learn From Israel http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4339848,00.html• Algemeiner -- NYC Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson Blasts Brooklyn College for Anti Israel BDS Event http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/02/01/nyc-mayoral-candidate-bill-thompson-blasts-brooklyn-college-for-bds-event/• LA Jewish Journal -- Petition to delete Israel-haters Facebook page draws immediate support http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/petition_to_delete_israel_haters_facebook_page_draws_immediate_support• Algemeiner (op-ed, Ronn Torossian) -- Beitar Jerusalem and the Double Standard Against Israel http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/02/01/beitar-jerusalem-and-the-double-standard-against-israel/For more Israel advocacy news, see the Israel Action Network’s newly redesigned and enhanced website: http://israelactionnetwork.org/Federations/Philanthropy: Globally, Reuters reports on a survey that the new payroll tax could impact philanthropy; EJP looks at the JAFI survey on young Jewish views, which says exposure to Israel’s social challenges spurs commitment; and JTA, in covering the Hagel nomination hearings, mentions JFNA’s Executive Committee Chair Dede Feinberg.

Federations are highlighted in Cleveland; Columbus; L.A.; and Northern NJ.

Global:

• Reuters -- U.S. payroll tax hike seen hurting charitable giving: survey http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/31/us-charities-poll-idUSBRE90U0UY20130131• EJP -- New Study Finds Exposure to Israel’s Social Challenges Boosts Commitment to Serve http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/new-study-finds-exposure-to-israels-social-challenges-boosts-commitment-to-serve/• JTA -- Live blogging the Hagel nomination (mentions Dede Feinberg, JFNA) http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2013/01/31/3118381/live-blogging-chuck-hagel-confirmation

Local:

• Cleveland Jewish News -- Class Notes: JECC has program for Jewish Disability Awareness Month (highlights Federation) http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/features/community/article_f4101ff0-6af1-11e2-9afe-001a4bcf887a.html• NJ Jewish Standard -- Teaching Teens to Stand Up for Israel (highlights Federation) http://www.jstandard.com/content/item/teaching_teens_to_stand_up_for_israel/26046• Columbus Dispatch -- More congregations consider use of armed guards (highlights Federation) http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/faith_and_values/2013/02/01/more-congregations-consider-use-of-armed-guards.html• NY Times -- A Two-Person Exhibition With Someone Who Isn’t Here (highlights Federation) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/arts/design/sharon-lockhart-noa-eshkol-at-the-jewish-museum.html