JNS writer

Eliana Rudee

feature
Jewish Minority Voices: Portuguese
Jews of Portugal and their recent rebirth
Eliana RudeeApril 26, 2021
They enjoy strong communal infrastructure, such as youth centers, kosher restaurants and hotel arrangements, a mikvah and museums.
The Jewish community of Porto, Portugal, celebrates Shabbat at the main synagogue. Credit: Jewish Community of Porto.
feature
Delicious diplomacy: From Dubai to Akko, food as the great equalizer
Eliana RudeeApril 19, 2021
Chef Elli Kriel: “Partaking in something so life-giving builds bridges. It is different than just shaking someone’s hand or sitting in a room and talking together.”
Chef Elli Kriel at work in her kosher kitchen in the United Arab Emirates. Credit: Courtesy.
news
Argentinian journalist exposes anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi groups in Latin America
Eliana RudeeApril 12, 2021
Julio López’s goal is to educate social-media platforms that they need to approach hate speech differently—not group all Spanish-speaking countries together, but understand them as individual entities with different cultures and histories when it comes to the problem.
Young Latin Americans expressing support for Nazism uncovered by Argentinian journalist Julio Lopez. Source: Screenshot.
news
Israeli and Emirati companies sign deal to bring greentech innovation to region
Eliana RudeeMarch 19, 2021
The cooperation seeks solutions that promote sustainability by mitigating the negative environmental impacts of development.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
news
Jewish Future Pledge expands to next generation with Jewish Youth Pledge
Eliana RudeeMarch 9, 2021
It “encourages sharing conversations, stories and values with others about why the Jewish future matters,” says the initiative’s co-founder, business executive Mike Leven.
The Jewish Future Pledge calls on worldwide Jewish donors to allocate at least half of their charitable dollars transferred at death to Jewish and Israel-related causes. Credit: LightField Studios/Shutterstock.
feature
JEWISH MINORITY VOICES: Moroccans
Moroccan Jews reflect on their heritage and tradition post-normalization with Israel
Eliana RudeeMarch 4, 2021
Following the exodus of Jews from Morocco, their institutions closed and anti-Jewish propaganda increased. Today, the Jewish population there stands at a paltry 2,000 compared to 1 million Moroccan Jews in Israel who will now get the chance to build communal bridges.
Jewish community members at synagogue in Agadir City, Morocco. Photo by Abir Sultan/Flash90.
news
Moderna’s Tal Zaks: US-Israel exchange of ideas based on sanctity of life, belief in science
Eliana RudeeFebruary 17, 2021
More than 5,000 students from 100 universities worldwide took part in the Israel Summit, featuring speakers such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Israeli actor Lior Raz, Moderna CMO Tal Zaks, Waze CEO Noam Bardin, Google Israel CEO Barak Regev, KIND founder Daniel Lubetzky and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States Gilad Erdan.
Moderna CMO Tal Zaks speaking at the Birthright Excel Israel Summit virtual conference. Source: Screenshot.
news
Association in Gulf states to boost regional Jewish life from ‘beit din’ to kosher agency
Eliana RudeeFebruary 16, 2021
“Having moved to Dubai in 2014, it’s incredibly inspiring to see how Jewish life here in the Gulf is growing,” said co-founder and cantor of the Jewish Council of the Emirates Alex Peterfreund.
Helping affix a mezuzah at the Israel Diamond Exchange in Dubai’s Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) are (from left): Alex Peterfreund, co-founder and cantor of the Jewish Council of the Emirates (JCE); Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, senior rabbi of the JCE; and Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the DMCC, Jan. 28, 2021.
news
New report by human-rights group responds to anti-Israeli bias perpetuated at UNHRC
Eliana RudeeFebruary 12, 2021
“The purpose is to fill that gap by providing the first-ever examination of claims made under Item 7, and to provide a detailed analysis, citing to sources of fact and international law,” said researcher and writer Dina Rovner.
A view of the U.N. Human Rights Council special session on “the deteriorating human-rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” May 2018. Photo by Elma Okic/U.N.
feature
Top 40 Latin American pro-Israel advocates and leaders
Eliana RudeeFebruary 10, 2021
Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with all the countries of Central and South America and the Caribbean region (with the exception of Cuba, Bolivia and Venezuela), and in recent years, pro-Israel Latin American influencers, both Jewish and non-Jewish, have further transformed the relationship.
Brazilian samba dancers perform at Tel Aviv port as part of a special festival on Aug. 7, 2016. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.
news
UAE embraces trade with Israeli-owned businesses in Judea and Samaria
Eliana RudeeFebruary 3, 2021
Yaakov Berg, who owns the Psagot Winery with his wife, expresses his hope that “peace with the Emirates will change our relationship with Palestinians.”
A view of the barrel room at Psagot Winery in the Binyamin region mountains of Judea and Samaria. Credit: Courtesy.
news
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
In a first, Arab-initiated event commemorates the Holocaust in wake of Abraham Accords
Eliana RudeeJanuary 27, 2021
Participants from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Saudi Arabia joined viewers from North America, Europe and Israel in more personal kind of diplomacy.
Individuals from the group Sharaka held an online event to memorialize victims of the Holocaust and to promote an action plan for Holocaust awareness and combating anti-Semitism prior to International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, 2021. Source: Screenshot.
feature
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israeli gymnastics coach reflects on Kyiv win
Eliana RudeeJanuary 25, 2021
“I tell my girls, everything we do is in the name of Israel,” said Ira Vigdorchik. “You can only be an Olympic champion if you feel you are part of your country. Everything we are doing is for the flag of Israel.”
Coach Ira Vigdorchik (center) surrounded by Israel's rythmic gymnastics team. Credit: Courtesy.
news
Diaspora Minister’s Shabbat initiative reaches smaller, more remote parts of Jewish world
Eliana RudeeJanuary 22, 2021
The services are jointly sponsored with local Jewish youth groups such as BBYO, B’nei Akiva and partners in Israel.
A virtual Kabbalat Shabbat service with the Jewish community in Baku, Azerbaijan. Source: Screenshot.
feature
In Israel, women ‘juggle it all’ with motherhood, degrees, even high-tech startups
Eliana RudeeJanuary 19, 2021
Drs. Avital Beck and Hadas Shatz-Azouly—scientists, mothers, entrepreneurs and founders of the company MilkStrip—understand firsthand the challenges of owning a business while raising six and five children, respectively.
MilkStrip is a biotech and wellness company that provides real-time breast-milk decision support at home, informing new mothers about the freshness and nutrition of human milk. Credit: Courtesy.
Load more