Written by Ruby Ong   

daniel

A Message from Daniel Sokatch

What was the best thing about attending the President’s “Jewish Heritage Month” event for community leaders at the White House two weeks ago? 

It was certainly a great day for NIF, included as we were among the organizations that this Administration sees as representing the American Jewish community.  In the midst of the challenges we face on the ground in Israel, as well as the often-divisive and increasingly vituperative Jewish communal debate about Israel in this country, it was extremely validating to be welcomed to the White House. 

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NIF Initiates and Supports 40 Shavuot Tikkun Events

In a new program emphasizing our commitment to religious pluralism, NIF has initiated Shavuot Eve Torah study sessions throughout Israel, to be held next Tuesday, June 7. Thousands of Israelis in 35 faith communities – Conservative, Orthodox, Secular and Reform – will participate, representing Israel’s political, ideological and geographical spectrum. In addition to providing grants to participating communities, NIF is also providing materials linking Jewish tradition to social justice, tolerance and pluralism.

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NIF Scholarship Enables Blind Woman to Fulfill Her Vision

"I have always dreamed of using my own emotional strength, which stems from the support I have had from my family, to help empower others with disabilities," said Hana Shalata.

Despite being blind from birth, the 31 year-old social activist from the Galilee Arab city of Sakhnin has a vision. Shalata was one of three recipients of this year's Yaffa London-Yaari Scholarship Award, which is awarded to Israeli women who are pioneering unique social aid programs. Thanks to the scholarship, she can now afford to implement her vision.

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Israeli-Soccer

Racism in Israeli Soccer Falls 39 Percent

NIF's Kick Racism Out of Israeli Soccer campaign has completed its eighth year of activities for the 2010/11 season. NIF's observers reported an impressive 39 percent decline in racist chanting over the season and found that much of this reduction can be explained by a growing and encouraging phenomena – supporters booing and silencing their fellow fans who behave in a racist way.

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shatillogo300

Polygamy causes suffering among women, study finds

Israeli Arab women who are in polygamous marriages are significantly worse-off than their monogamous counterparts. Polygamy disrupts women's and children's lives and condemns them to a life of poverty, loneliness and depression.

These are the conclusions of a qualitative study conducted recently among Bedouin women in the Negev by SHATIL and Ma'an, the Forum for Arab Women's Organizations in the Negev.

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