Israel

There have been recent reports of housing discrimination in Kiryat Malachi, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's TIPS partnership region in Israel.

About ten days ago, the media reported that people in 4 buildings in Kiryat Malachi signed a secret agreement refusing to rent or sell to Ethiopians.

Israel Teaching Fellows aims to close the achievement gap in Israel's education system by placing outstanding college graduates as English teachers' aides in schools throughout Israel. Fellows live in communities near Tel Aviv and work with local students in need. Thanks to Israel's Ministry of Education and Masa Israel, the program costs only $1,000 including flight, housing, medical insurance and a monthly stipend. For more information and to apply, visit www.israelteachingfellows.org.

The shocking use of Holocaust imagery by extremists from within the ultra-Orthodox population last Saturday night provided a unique backdrop for a week of fact-finding and close consultations with Israeli leaders and social activists by The Jewish Federations of North America.

The Jewish Federations of North America today expressed strong condemnation of a recent wave of religious extremism and violence in Israel.

The situation has been highlighted in the media in recent days, which has focused on the verbal abuse of an eight-year-old girl in the city of Bet Shemesh, by a group of ultra-Orthodox men. Other issues have included the forced segregation of genders on some public bus routes – despite the fact that the Israeli Supreme Court has outlawed this practice – and the unofficial ban on any female image in advertising in some areas.

As 2011 comes to a close, here are Eight Great Reasons to support your Jewish Federation!

8) Your gift helps provide vital support to thousands of people locally and across the globe, helping our extended Jewish family in need and making our community a better, brighter place.

7) You can get a nice tax deduction for your generosity!

The second round of applications are due on January 18, 2012, which must be at least three months prior to the teen's date of departure. Israel scholarships through the Jewish Federation are need based, but a wide variety of criteria is considered when reviewing each application.

Due to the overwhelming response from Holocaust survivors and heirs worldwide Project HEART has extended the deadline for individual to submit Questionnaires into 2012. The extension will allow additional eligible Holocaust victims and their heirs to participate in the most inclusive Holocaust era property restitution program in history.

On December 12 at 12:00-1:30pm, the Cardozo Society of Washington State will be presenting a 1.5 credit CLE by Professor Geoffrey S. Corn on the topic of Understanding the Legal Foundation for the US & Israeli Counter-Terrorism Efforts. The CLE will be located at Riddell Williams in Downtown Seattle.

Register Today!

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's Israel Teen Scholarship Program wants you to Discover Israel! Hear about several Seattle teens' experiences while on Israel peer programs in our newly released video. You'll also hear from a local rabbi, community Shaliach and an Israel Scholarship Committee member to get their point of view on the experience.

The Jewish Agency Activates Emergency Fund to Immediately Assist the Family of the Victim in Ashkelon and Other Casualties

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky:
"We are making every effort to help residents return to normal life, despite the tensions"