News – Diaspora
Following a student group’s push for the University of Waterloo to join the BDS movement against Israel, students will be able to vote in a referendum on whether the university administration should cease cooperating with Israeli universities on Jan. 25.
Canadian cities (including Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Vancouver) have requested the federal government to delay its sending of Syrian refugees due to a lack of proper accommodation.
At a London university event featuring former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon, pro-Palestinian protestors arrived (as expected), drowning out Ayalon’s speech by shouting and smashing windows. One of the event’s organizers was allegedly assaulted.
George Weidenfeld, the inspirational Holocaust survivor who launched a campaign last year to rescue Christians from Islamic State terrorists, has died. He was 96.
A group of 71 British doctors penned a letter last week to the World Medical Association in an effort to expel doctors belonging to the Israeli Medical Association, claiming that the Israelis carry out “medical torture” on Palestinian patients. Considering the revolutionary medical tech being developed in Israel, such a boycott would do the World Medical Association more harm than good.
A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor has donated a tiny good luck charm to the Auschwitz Museum that, she says, helped her survive the three years she spent at the infamous Nazi concentration camp.
News – Israel
Palestinian leaders and supporters are outraged at Airbnb for allowing property owners in West Bank settlements to rent out their houses and apartments. In an email to the Associated Press, Airbnb said it “follows laws and regulations on where we can do business.”
Thirteen-year-old Ahmed Mansara, who stabbed two Israelis (including a boy his own age) last October, has again become a poster boy for the Palestinian struggle. Activists are insisting that Israeli police release the young boy, while Israel intends to prosecute him once he turns 14 on Friday.
And the award for shortest boycott of Israel goes to Mercator, the largest supermarket in Slovenia! Two days ago, the company announced it was boycotting all Israeli produce, succumbing to pressure from BDS activists. Today, it apparently realized how preposterous that is and reversed its decision.
Business
An Israeli pharmaceutical firm is developing an alternative to viagra (mind you we do have Cialis already) and is set to receive a U.S. patent.
Sports
Israeli tennis star Dudi Sela has defeated Spain’s Fernando Verdasco to reach the Australian Open third round. “Many Jews and Israelis come to watch me and it is a great atmosphere for me and I don’t want to let them down,” he said following the win. Your efforts are appreciated, Dudi.
Jake Walman, a Canadian/American hockey star, opened up to The CJN about his aspirations (to reach the NHL), playing in the Maccabiah games in Israel, and his experiences as a rising hockey star.
Culture
Canadian Jewish actor Seth Rogen, American Jewish actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Bradley Cooper and others recently auditioned (hypothetically) for the role of fictional Jewish American Princess Cher Horovitz from Clueless. As if!!!! If a reboot were to go ahead, though, I’d say Rogen is most deserving of the role.
After Nestle released its Nespresso coffee ads featuring George Clooney, an Israeli company, the Espresso Club, unveiled parody versions of the ads with a George Clooney look alike. And now the former is suing the latter. I guess they kind of look alike…….
You might have heard of JeruZalem, the zombie horror film set in Jerusalem. Well, apparently it’s been resonating with international audiences. Coming to a television set near you:
So apparently 10 per cent of American college students think that Judge (and I use that term loosely) Judy is a Supreme Court Justice. Wow. Just….wow.
The Forward looks into the life of musician Ziv Yehezkel, once a “deeply religious Jewish man,” and now a star in the Arab music scene.
So the iconic character of Pee-wee Herman has been revitalized, thanks to Netflix – who else? Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which Netflix will release in March, is a collaboration between the Jewish actor who portrays him, Paul Reubens, and Jewish film director Judd Apatow. Check out the trailer below. Fun fact: did you know that Paul Reubens’ father, Milton Rubenfeld, was one of the founding pilots of the Israel Air Force?
Jewish comedian Amy Schumer has denied allegations that she’s stolen jokes from stand-up comics Wendy Liebman and Tammy Pescatelli. As if she needs them….
If you didn’t think Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was Jewishy enough already (Superman, of course, was created by Jews, Jesse Eisenberg stars as Lex Luthor and Israeli actor Gal Gadot stars as Wonder Woman), Jewish actor Ezra Miller has now been cast as Barry Allen a.k.a. The Flash. Take a look:
Jewish-American actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler, of Sopranos and Entourage fame, has revealed that she’s been living MS for over a decade. “It’s still hard to accept,” Sigler said to People.
Throwback
Speaking of Superman, remember when Jason Alexander donned his version of the Superman outfit?
Ideas for throwbacks or news items to include in the spiel? Please send them to [email protected].
Click here for yesterday’s edition of Your Morning Spiel
