Years ago, back in the 1990s, I was thirsty for knowledge about Ethiopian Jews. I had grown up in circles with Jews from Iraq, India, China, Mexico, Gibraltar, you name it. But not Ethiopia. In 1991, during Operation Solomon, I was ecstatic about the opportunity to meet and embrace the heritage of Ethiopian Jews.
The problem with Jewish education back then,...
This article was published on April 30, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
BEERSHEBA, Israel, Apr. 29 (JTA) –
Like many Israelis, David Machlev was glued to his television set throughout the American-led war against Iraq.
But Machlev, a philosophy lecturer at Alma College in Tel Aviv who opposed the war, had different reasons than most for watching.
“I...
This article was published on May 28, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
JERUSALEM, May. 27 (JTA) –
“Every day I go to the Ministry of the Interior,” says Binkito Baquaia, grasping pictures of her family.
“I have been separated from my mother, father, brother and sisters for six years. I keep trying to find out what is happening with...
This article was published on June 16, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
BEERSHEBA, Israel, Jun. 15 (JTA) –
“Any Moroccans from the ‘hood here tonight?” Ilan Babylon belts into the microphone, strutting onstage.
Standing squarely in front of an Israeli flag hanging from his disk jockey equipment, he shouts, “Raise your hands and...
This article was published on June 30, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
TEL AVIV, Jul. 29 (JTA) –
“I sacrificed my life for my parents,” says Salima Moshe, 72. “I gave everything to them. I didn’t think about myself.”
As a 20-year-old in 1951, Moshe watched her family and friends flee to Israel in an exodus that grew to...
This article was published on August 11, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
TEL AVIV, Aug. 8 (JTA) –
There are 2,500 new permanent residents of the State of Israel, but not one of them is new to the Jewish state.
Israel’s Black Hebrews, a group that traces its origins through Chicago and, they claim, all the way back to the biblical Jewish kingdoms,...
This article was published on August 14, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
EL AVIV, Aug. 13 (JTA) –
When Lior Thaler and his best friend stopped by the Karnei Shomron mall, all they wanted was to order a slice of pizza and say hello to Lior’s sister, who was celebrating a friend’s birthday.
Two minutes later, Thaler lay unconscious with his...
This article was published on August 19, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
TEL AVIV, Aug. 18 (JTA) –
For many travelers, the threat of terrorism is a
compelling reason to stay away from Israel.
For Maria Louisa Zayon, it was a compelling reason to visit.
“In Israel now it’s a very hard time,” says the 21-year journalism student
from...
This article was published on Aug 29, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
TEL AVIV, Aug. 28 (JTA) –
A man lies on the ground in front of this no-frills guest house in Jerusalem as three young women rush toward him.
Reaching into her large red bags, one pulls out a brace and snaps it on the young man’s neck. Another pulls out a strap and ties his...
This article was published on August 22, 2003, in Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
TEL AVIV, Aug. 21 (JTA) –
Dominique Haas was in a particularly good mood on the evening of April 29.
The young pastry chef had just closed a deal with a new cafe, selling them her entire line of cakes. Best friends with the owner at Mike’s Place, a Tel Aviv pub where she...
Loolwa Khazzoom has worked with leading media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Rolling Stone, and ABC News. In addition, she has published two books and has lectured at prestigious venues including Barnard Center for Research on Women, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Harvard University. Loolwa is passionate about health, music, dance, multiculturalism, and Judaism.
