Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

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What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia. You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/07/01/the-israel-brief-29-june-01-july-2020/

Articles

(1)

South Africa Hangs in the ‘Balance’

South Africa’s Chief Justice under fire for acting like a judge!

By David E. Kaplan

What is South Africa coming to when its ruling ANC government lambasts its Chief Justice for exercising the very traits that led to his appointment to the highest judicial office in his country? For suggesting to apply “balance” and “open-mindedness”  – the very attributes expected of a judge-led ANC’s National Spokesman, Pule Mabe to rebuke Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng for fairly applying his judicial mind to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/30/south-africa-hangs-in-the-balance/

(2)

The Union of Jewish Women South Africa

Proudly serving the Jewish and broader communities

By Bev Goldman

 

In a country having the highest incidence of unemployment in the world and where poverty and crime are appallingly rife, South Africa can be thankful to the Union Of Jewish Women (UJW). With branches in most of the country’s main cities supporting so many diverse projects, its volunteers are committed to investing in all the people of South Africa to create a better quality of life for all.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/30/the-union-of-jewish-women-south-africa/

 

(3)

“Weighing in” on Lockdown Eating

By Justine Friedman

Under immense pressures during lockdown, it is hardly surprising that people are eating the wrong foods and in excess. Consume sound advice rather than unnecessary or unhealthy food with this clinical dietician who helps you identify the “triggers” so as to avoid the reflexive raid on the pantry or fridge.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/29/weighing-in-on-lockdown-eating/

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While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

Home

https://layoftheland.online

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

Please visit/ join/follow us at:

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: @LayOfTheLand5

What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia. You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/24/the-israel-brief-22-25-june-2020/

 

Articles

(1)

Storming Statues

Frenzied removals from their proverbial pedestals

By David E. Kaplan

With the toppling of Washington in Portland and the boarding up of Churchill in London, it would seem few statues of yesterday’s heroes are safe today.  Not true. Those stone and bronze kings, queens, statesmen and religious leaders who persecuted Jews are unlikely to make the frenzied ‘Hit List’!

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/21/storming-statues/

 

(2)

Cancelling “Cancel Culture”

By Rolene Marks

“Whatever happened to the art of conversation and polite debate?” when people engaged in “robust, often passionate discussion” without fear. In the era of social media, the writer explores the disturbing new phenomenon of people being “cancelled” or culturally blocked from having a prominent public platform or career by public shaming.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/23/cancelling-cancel-culture/

 

(3)

Wanted: A Runner with Soul

By Stephen Schulman

Behind reaching the highest peak or finishing line on their soles is an organisation with soul. Israel’s 180° organization founded by the father and son team of Offer and Gai Ben Dor, empowers people with disabilities and special needs to fulfil their dreams.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/24/wanted-a-runner-with-soul/

 

 

 

 

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs

 

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

Home

https://layoftheland.online

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

Please visit/ join/follow us at:

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: @LayOfTheLand5

 

What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia. You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/18/the-israel-brief-15-18-june-2020/

Articles

(1)

Tea with Topol

By David E. Kaplan

Recent reactions to the announcement of a remake of the 1971 musical classic ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, rekindled in the writer a memorable interview he had with its award-winning Israeli star, Chaim Topol in Tel Aviv a decade ago revealing melodious moments, coupled with intimate insights and revelations.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/17/tea-with-topol/

(2)

Heroes for life – Changing lives around the world!

By Rolene Marks

After compulsory national service, young Israelis travel to distant destinations in Asia, Africa and South America where they are exposed to residents living in impoverished conditions and are moved by what they see and want to help.  Capitalising on this precious human resource of the post-army traveller, Heroes for Life was born in order “to make the world a better place”.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/16/heroes-for-life-changing-lives-around-the-world/

 

 

 

 

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

Home

https://layoftheland.online

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

Please visit/ join/follow us at:

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: @LayOfTheLand5

 

The Israel Brief  

 

What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia. You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

The Israel Brief- 08 – 11 June 2020

 

Articles

(1)

Israel at a Crossroad

To Annex or not to Annex?

By David E. Kaplan

With the country evenly divided on whether to annex parts of the West Bank/Judea & Samaria as early as July 2020, considering the ramifications and repercussions, should there be more reflection before proceeding too hastily?

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/10/israel-at-a-crossroad/

(2)

No, Israel Isn’t A Country Of Privileged And Powerful White Europeans

By Hen Mazzig

The writer of Iraqi and North African descent, takes issue with a global misrepresentation of Israel as “a colonialist extension of Europe” when only “30% of Israeli Jews are descendants of European Jews”. Are the misrepresentations a calculated strategic campaign to taint Israel as an extension of a “privileged and powerful white Europe”, thereby justifying any attacks on it?

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/08/no-israel-isnt-a-country-of-privileged-and-powerful-white-europeans/

 

 (3)

The Arab Voice

Arab writers from the Middle East and beyond, weigh in on the economic crisis facing countries in the region and the proposed plan of Israeli annexation

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/10/the-arab-voice-june-2020/

 

 

 

 

While the mission of Lay Of The Land (LOTL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LOTL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

Home

https://layoftheland.online

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

Please visit/ join/follow us at:

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

Twitter: @LayOfTheLand5

 

We support being part of the solution

As the Coronavirus spread globally, so did xenophobia against Asians and now in the USA malignant racism as the whole world watched in horror, a public “lynching”  of a black man by white members of the Minnesota police. Lay Of The Land joins all across the world in supporting the movement against racism and for greater tolerance and understanding to counter all “viruses” that attack both our bodies and our souls.

 

The Israel Brief  

 

What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube   by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster,

Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa

and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia.

You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/03/the-israel-brief-01-04-june-2020/

 

Articles

(1)

A Walk In The Park

With man frequently at war with nature, not so Israeli sculptor whose art finds harmony with the surrounding environment

By David E. Kaplan

Blending sculpture, architecture and the landscape into unique and monumental pieces,  Dani Karavan’s “White Square” at a park in Tel Aviv, is an ode to the essence and spirit of his city, depicting its history, reflecting its ethos and engaging its people, especially young children.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/02/a-walk-in-the-park/

 

(2)

The Intersection of Hatred

By Rolene Marks

As Israelis join in the global protests against racism in the USA following the murder “in plain sight” of George Floyd by four white policemen, the writer explores how this horrific murder is being exploited by nefarious organizations to blame Israel and why American synagogues are suddenly being viciously targeted.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/04/the-intersection-of-hatred/

 

(3)

The City of Jaffa is in the State of Israel!

Open letter by Stephen Schulman

While South African food journalist Ayesha Mukadam sadly laments “lost traditions” relating to dishes in her Muslim community in Cape Town, she has little problem in “losing”  facts of history and geography, when she shares a recipe in her article in the Daily Maverick from a resident from Jaffa who she describes is “from Palestine” instead of Israel. Stephen Schulman takes issue in an open letter to the newspaper.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/06/01/the-city-of-jaffa-is-in-the-state-of-israel/

 

LOTL Cofounders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@gmail.com

 

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

Home

https://layoftheland.online

Like this content? Please share and tweet it to your friends and followers.

Please visit/ join/follow our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LotLSite/

 

Lay Of The Land wishes all its Jewish readers around the world a joyous Chag Sameach over the ‘first fruits’ festival of Shavuot and to our Christian readers, a happy Pentecost.

 

The Israel Brief  

What’s happening in Israel today?  See this week’s daily ‘The Israel Brief’ broadcasts on LOTL  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station WINA broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia.

You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/05/27/the-israel-brief-25-28-may-2020/

 

Articles

(1)

Clash Of Cultures To Cultural Understandings

Ultra-Orthodox Bnei Brak Meets Unorthodox Aviv Gefen

By David E. Kaplan

After dedicating a song to Bnei Brak residents who had been attacked in the media over Corona, Israel’s iconic secularist singer, songwriter and composer was surprised to find his phone flooded with heartfelt messages from the ultra-religious. In a tearful interview on Israel’s Channel 12, Gefen unburdens himself revealing new insights about love, life and people.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/05/27/clash-of-cultures-to-cultural-understandings/

 

(2)

Another “Brick” in the Wall

By Rolene Marks

Former Pink Floyd band member Roger Waters is today more ‘famous’ for his delirious dressing gown rants against Israel than his music. No wonder Pink Floyd are “socially distancing” themselves from its cofounder who is increasingly finding himself an outcast in the music industry.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/05/26/another-brick-in-the-wall/

 

(3)

Double Exposure – BDS & Barghouti

Where BDS Activism Goes, Antisemitism Is Sure To Follow

By Rodney Mazinter

The writer unveils the falsehoods and hypocrisy of both the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) and its co-founder Omar Barghouti, warning governments and NGOs that beneath the veneer of human rights for Palestinians, lurks the ugly truth of violence against Jews and the State of Israel.

https://layoftheland.online/2020/05/24/double-exposure-bds-barghouti/

 

LOTL Cofounders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche