October 5, 2025 STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS The Final Hostages: Hidden, Not Forgotten Negotiators for Israel and Hamas were poised for indirect negotiations to release the hostages and end the war in Gaza, as this edition of The Focus Project was set for publication. The talks […]
September 30, 2025 STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS America’s Plan, Hamas’ Choice and the World’s Response The war in Gaza has entered a pivotal moment. For decades, American and Israeli peace efforts have been met with rejection and violence. A new U.S. proposal now puts an ultimatum […]
As we begin a new Jewish year, we must be hopeful that we will be blessed with the strength and determination needed to work together on the causes that are so near and dear to our hearts. We are buoyed by the fact that MERCAZ nearly doubled its vote for the forthcoming Zionist Congress and […]
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility The month of Elul is devoted to rethinking, to questioning the path we have been on — that is, to teshuva. The past two years, as a result of the war and the process of social fissure, and as the truth of the dreams we had dreamed about ourselves […]
September 16, 2025 STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS Reject Violence: Defend Debate, Protect Democracy Disagreement should invite debate – not violence. Intimidation, dehumanization and threats create the conditions for physical attacks. Silencing and demonizing opposing views have become normalized. The risks are great for our entire society […]
Religious Ritual Requires of us Ethical Behavior This week’s parasha opens with the bringing of first fruits (bikkurim) to the Temple and the statement made by the person who brings them. That statement is what is read and expounded at the beginning of the Passover Haggadah, where the verses serve to summarize the history of […]
September 9, 2025 STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS ‘Resistance’ Never Justifies Murdering Civilians A morning rush hour in Jerusalem turned into carnage when two Palestinian terrorists from the West Bank opened fire at a busy bus stop. In less than a minute, six Israelis were murdered and more than a dozen […]
A Revolution In Mentality … “When you come into the land …” — The transition from wandering in the wilderness to life in a settled land requires a change in lifestyle and in outlook. Moving from the life of a persecuted minority to that of an independent people on our own land requires a revolution […]
September 3, 2025 STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS Genocide Lies Against Israel Distort Truth and Endanger Jews The accusation of genocide against the Jewish state is being used as a moral weapon. It is not just a false legal claim – the explosive yet deceptive charge is […]
Pursuing Justice … During War Anyone who has become engaged to a woman but not yet married her, or who has built a house but not yet moved into it, or who has planted a vineyard but not yet harvested even the first grapes, or even anyone too timid to fight — all of these […]