Podcasts

Linda Epstein, director of JUF/JF’s Israel Office, says it’s good news when the Prime Minister decides to step down and let the justice system take its course.

“Call it odd, but one of the best lessons I learned about the human condition and my own fate, I learned from a tree,” says JUF News Executive Editor Aaron B. Cohen.

JCRC Domestic Affairs Associate David Brinn reports on his experience doing flood cleanup in Waverly, Iowa. Read the transcript.

JCRC Domestic Affairs Associate David Brinn reports on his experience doing flood cleanup in Waverly, Iowa. Read the transcript.

A strong message about the power of identity to fix the world came through as Aaron Cohen as he encountered Natan Sharansky at a TV studio, in a cab, on a plane, and at a conference.

JUF's Aaron Cohen, in Israel with a group of students from the Write On for Israel program, offers reflections the life and times of the Jewish state.

JCRC says l’hitraot to Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Barukh Binah

JUF’s Aaron Cohen is currently visiting southern Israel to see how JUF dollars help ease the conditions of residents under fire.

H.E. Nabil Fahmy, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt met with JCRC organizational leaders and delegates, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and local diplomatic corps May 30 at the JUF/JF headquarters.

JUF’s Aaron Cohen is currently visiting southern Israel to see how JUF dollars help ease the conditions of residents under fire.

JUF’s Aaron Cohen is currently visiting southern Israel to see how JUF dollars help ease the conditions of residents under fire.

Meeting a Palestinian truck driver on a Kentucky back road was one of many interesting twists and turns on Aaron Cohen’s journey to Whitwell, Tenn. with the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance.

Isaac Kapulski, president of the American Zionist Movement, Chicago, delivers a d’var Torah about Israel at JCRC’s May 12 meeting.

Aaron David Miller, author and Middle East policy expert to two U.S. presidents, talks to JUF’s Jewish Community Relations Council about the failures and possible fixes to U.S. foreign policy in the world’s most volatile region.

JUF Israel at 60 Mission - Day Six

JUF Israel at 60 Mission - Day Five

JUF Israel at 60 Mission - Day Four

JUF Israel at 60 Mission - Day Three

JUF Israel at 60 Mission - Day One

JUF Israel at 60 Mission Day Two

Israelis created their fragile enterprise and repeatedly prevail because the roots of identity, culture, and faith run so deep, says Aaron B. Cohen

A feeling of pride is bubbling up among Israel’s diverse population as the nation celebrates its 60^th anniversary of Independence. Linda Epstein, director of the Israel Office of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, offers reflections on the national mood.

Carl Schrag interviews Rabbi Brant Rosen at The Ideas Cafe at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook.

Passover, the liberation holiday, is about transitions, the seasons of humanity, and the great epoch of the Jewish people. Aaron B. Cohen evokes the essence of the holiday. Chag kasher v’sameach, may your holiday be pure happiness.

Noted author and historian Michael Oren speaks with Aaron B. Cohen about the Iranian threat, Israel, and U.S. Middle East policy. Oren will speak to JUF’s Dental, Educators, Professional Health, and Physicians & Surgeons Dinner on May 28. Call 312-444-2835 for more information or Register online.

Tackling the topic, "Jewish Values, Public Servant" at The Ideas Cafe at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook.

Andy Statman is a virtuoso klezmer-style clarinetist and also a pioneer of progressive bluegrass mandolin. "Statman is a master of two idioms" – New York Times.

Aaron Cohen covers the waterfront with Israeli writer and translator Hillel Halkin

Rabbi Ruben Saferstein of Buenos Aires describes his community’s solidarity with Israel and commitment to Jewish education.

Writer and activist Roya Hakakian talks to JUF’s JCRC about opportunity as well as risk in the quest for human rights, stability, and an informed Iranian public. 

On Feb. 11, the 29th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, nearly 200 people gathered at the Spertus Institute for a lecture titled “Iran: Insights into its Religion, Politics and Power,” featuring Professor David Menashri, Director of Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University and Mehdi Khalaji, a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a trained Shiite cleric. The program, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JCRC), was moderated by Ambassador J.D. Bindenagel, vice president for Community, Government and International Affairs at DePaul University.

A trip to a California bat mitzvah prompts reflections on the passage of time.

A New Mexico waitress with a Hebrew tattoo? A recent cross country journey showed there’s room for that in this vast land.

Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, an African American rabbi from Chicago, recalls the legacy of intergroup collaboration in the Civil Rights Movement at a special JUF ceremony, Jan. 21.

Tracy Mason from Wilmette and a student at University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana provides the final report from her Chicago Community Trip.

Gal Elbaz, a 20 year old Israeli soldier from Rishon L’Zion reports on her experiences traveling with the Chicago Community Birthright Israel trip.

Steve Kamykowski, a senior at University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana reflects on the amazing time he had visiting the Jewish Federation’s Partnership 2000 region and the new friendships he has made.

Dr. Rachel Bronson, vice president of programs and studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and author of Thicker than Oil: America’s Uneasy Partnership with Saudi Arabia (Oxford University Press, 2006) addresses JCRC.

JUF/Federation President Steve Nasatir recalls the life and career of a leader in Chicago’s Jewish community.

The star crossed paths of the Eternal City and the Holy City come to life during a visit to the seat of Caesar and the Pope.

Lauren Feldman from Buffalo Grove, a senior at Loyola University reports on the trips’ restful and inspirational Shabbat. She also sends regards to Patti Ray, Hillel Director at Loyola.

What’s it like to participate on a Birthright Israel youth trip? Listen to Northbrook resident David Wallace describe his first day in Israel.

From saving the dolphins to nanotechnology, Prof. Daniel Weihs, Chairman of Israel’s National Committee for Space Research, talks about his work in marine biology, aviation, and robotics.

Shirah Ozeri, director of the Israel Aliyah Center in Chicago and Josie Arbel of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel discuss the challenges and rewards of “aliyah” with Aaron B. Cohen.

JUF News Executive Editor Aaron B. Cohen examines the chances for the Annapolis peace process in the face of a rising Islamist tide.

JUF/Federation President Steve Nasatir discusses Chicago's breakthrough approach to funding day school education.

Federation Executive Vice President Michael C. Kotzin reflects on developments in Israel advocacy to meet the challenges of new forms of anti-Israel activism at the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities, Nov. 11, 2007.

Arnold Eisen, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, speaks with JUF News' Aaron Cohen about the Jewish future.

Jpost military correspondent Yaakov Katz discusses Israel's Middle East regional strategy.

Author of "Jews and Power" speaks with JUF News' Aaron Cohen.

David Broza talks with JUF News' Paul Wieder.

The complexity of Jewish identity.

JCRC's reaction to sentencing of local Hamas supporter.

Each visit is unique.

Spain is an often over-looked chapter of Jewish history.

JUF president's eyewitness account of rocket attack.

On the verge of a tsunami.

From the heart of Jerusalem to the Golan Heights.

Across the divide.

Standing by the what do you call it.

On the plaza at Latrun.

It's a great day for flying.

Write On for Israel begins its journey.