Jerusalem

May 15, 2026 The miracle that shaped Israel Prize winner Avi Rivkind’s life and career – opinion By Barbara Sofer In her apartment in Beersheba, Rachel Ohana is listening to the living room television with one ear as she makes her famous Moroccan meatballs in the kitchen.  She has an amazing 30 pounds of meat to grind […]

May 1, 2026 From Auschwitz to today: How Israel’s days of memory define who we are – opinion By Barbara Sofer “Had we not acted against the existential threat, had we not acted with determination and daring, the names of the death sites Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan might have joined the names of the death camps

April 17, 2026 Between missiles and swifts: A stay at the Gordonia hotel – review By Barbara Sofer “Where are you from?” I asked. “Tel Aviv.” “Oh, you are worse than we are in Jerusalem.” “We’re from Nahariya.” “Oh, I’m so sorry about what you’ve been through.” “We live right here in Zichron Ya’acov. We wanted to try the new hotel.” “We’re nearby in Binyamina.

April 17, 2026 Independence Day: 78+1 reasons I love Israel – opinion By Barbara Sofer Returned hostage AlonOhel played the piano dedicated to him in Hostages Square. On thedaythe hostages were released, spinning classes in Jerusalem cycle to the rhythm of the Breslov Hassidic song “(God) Always Loves Me.”  At a Greek kosher restaurant in Jerusalem, a young woman

March 27, 2026 Amir Peretz saw what others missed: Iron Dome reshaped Israel’s defense and future – opinion By Barbara Sofer Whenever I walk back up the 52 steps from our building’s shelter to our apartment in Jerusalem, after hearing the booms in the skies, I thank heaven and I whisper a thank you to Amir Peretz. 

Mar 13, 2026 Netivot shows how Israel’s periphery can become its center – opinion By Barbara Sofer The subject came up recently when I attended the inauguration of the newest branch of the Hadassah Medical Organization in the southern city of Netivot. I found visitors from abroad looking at me quizzically whenever I used the

February 27, 2026 When first graders in Modi’in sang ‘You Won’t Defeat Me,’ I cried By Barbara Sofer The part in Yehoram Gaon’s song “You Won’t Defeat Me,” when the adorable first graders dance, made me cry.  I was in an old-fashioned gym in the young city of Modi’in. The population is estimated to be 112,692 – which is

February 13, 2026 A manicure, a memorial and the music of David – opinion By Barbara Sofer On Tuesday night, 10 days after the return of Ran Gvili’s body, members of my Jerusalem synagogue Shira Hadasha gathered in an evening of song and to store away, in personalized fabric cases, the many accoutrements related to the return of the hostages. These,

January 30, 2026 Jerusalem daycare tragedy: Why make the story worse than it is? – opinion By Barbara Sofer Amid this unsettling period when we Israelis are waiting daily to learn whether we are going to be thrust into the middle of a war with Iran, a new and sad story has dominated our news.  Two

January 16, 2026 Fast, fierce, and fun: The magic of Israeli women’s basketball – opinion By Barbara Sofer Looking for a fun night out that won’t put you into overdraft? Try one of Israel’s women’s basketball games.  In the past two seasons, my husband and I have become regular attendees at the home games of our local