Posted by: Moti Rieber in MyBlog on Oct 07, 2009
Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit appears to be healthy in a video aired on Israeli television stations Friday. Israel received the video of Shalit, held by Hamas for over three years, in exchange for 20 Palestinian women prisoners. There's hope this may open up channels for Shalit's release. Ha'aretz (including the video).
On Thursday in Geneva -- in a coordinated effort that recruited not only staunch European allies, but Russia and China as well -- the United States laid out what Iran must do next: Allow inspectors of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to visit Qom within two weeks, and hand over much of the uranium it has already enriched. JTA.
A new AJC survey of American Jews reveals growing doubts over the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the nuclear standoff with Iran; a prevailing skepticism regarding the prospects for advancing Arab-Israeli peace; and a generally positive outlook on current U.S.-Israel relations. The Executive Summary is found here.
Liturgist and poet Ruth Brin died this week. One of my favorite liturgical poets, according to her obituary
Ruth's poetic interpretation of Biblical texts and ancient prayers made them relevant and accessible for our lives today. A ground breaking poet whose woman's voice was crucial to creating space for women in the traditional Jewish contexts, she led the way in liberal Jewish movements. A nationally known liturgist in the Jewish world, it is difficult to find a Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist prayer book or anthology that does not include her writings.
Obituary here. May her words continue to inspire, and may her memory be a blessing.