Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight
  

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20 Teves 5763 - December 25, 2002 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS


Is Israel Ready for an Iraqi Attack?
by Yated Ne'eman Staff and M Plaut

Israeli leaders made an obvious effort to reassure the Israeli public that they are fully in control of the situation and prepared for an attack from Iraq. Both Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz pointedly told the press that the country is prepared and plans to respond if attacked. Nonetheless, no one should forget the ancient words of Tehillim (127:1): "If Hashem does not watch the city, the diligence of the watchman is for naught."


Condemnation of the book "The Making of a Godol"

Maranan verabonon have issued a denunciation of an English book filled with disgraceful and disparaging remarks about gedolei rabboseinu. Following a very thorough review by native English-speaking rabbonim appointed by gedolei Yisroel, the book, entitled The Making of a Godol, was found to be extremely objectionable.

There Are Only 2,300,000 Hardcore American Jews
by Mordecai Plaut

The "official" statistics that most people quote, based on the "National Jewish Population Survey -- 1990" put the American Jewish population at 5.5 million. A new study, "American Jewish Identity Survey, 2001" conducted (as was the first) by respected demographers and social scientists and published last February, says that this number has declined to less than 5.3 million. The "National Jewish Population Survey -- 2000-01" says 5.2 million. The big question is: 5.2 million WHAT?

Conversion Dayan: "We Try to Utilize All Possibilities to be Lenient . . ."
by Betzalel Kahn

National-religious figures associated with the special conversion botei din have begun a public relations campaign to justify their practices, claiming "the existing framework is Orthodox and its converts are accepted among all streams [of Judaism], including the chareidim." The Vaad HaRabbonim LeInyonei Giyur, founded by the late HaRav Chaim Kreiswirth, has denied these claims.

UTJ Meets to Discuss Election Campaign Strategies
by E. Rauchberger

UTJ-HaShabbos-Agudas Yisroel-Degel Hatorah met last week at Degel Hatorah's Bnei Brak office to discuss campaign plans for the upcoming elections. Participants at the meeting included party candidates Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz, Rabbi Meir Porush, Rabbi Moshe Gafni, Rabbi Shmuel Halpert and Rabbi Uri Maklev.

Rebbetzin Nechomoh Aidel Finkel, a'h
by Betzalel Kahn

Thousands participated in the funeral of Rebbetzin Nechomoh Aidel Finkel, a'h, the wife of HaRav Moshe Finkel, ylct'a, who left this world at the age of 81 following great suffering.

Mrs. Rivkoh Rotzeh Klein, a'h
by Betzalel Kahn

Mrs. Rivkoh Rotzeh Klein of New York, the noted widow of R' Chaim Shlomo (Stephen) Klein who served as chairman of the American Committee for Chinuch Atzmai and a leader of rescue activity in the US following the Holocaust, was laid to rest last Wednesday at the age of 95.


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