Daniel Lubetzky

Daniel’s good friend pointed us towards an important cause: America is currently facing an education crisis, where 1/3 of current eighth grade students will not graduate college, and one of the biggest causes is that kids lack fundamental Algebra skills.  Sylvan, a learning center for kids of all ages, has stepped up to the challenge with the Algebra Fitness Challenge, a free Algebra test that kids can take to identify their strengths and weaknesses in the subject.  This tool hopes to begin to solve the extant algebra problem, and can be taken at Fit 4 Algebra.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

OneVoice was busy on the Hill this week, as Youth Leaders Eyal and Obada discussed their work to support a two state solution.  Ambassador Philip Wilcox moderated the panel as they moved to discuss the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN, and the event was covered by C-Span.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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This article by Tom Friedman, widely covered in the Israeli media, sadly but accurately recaps Netanyahu’s failure as a national and strategic leader, hurting not just Israel but the US, the Palestinians, and the world, because he puts his personal political standing ahead of Israel’s national interests.

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As Director of the Mossad, Efraim Halevy said at the Israel Policy Forum’s symposium, President Obama’s quick decision to order the release of the six Israelis trapped inside the Israeli embassy in Cairo was not only heroic, but indicative of Israel and America’s deep friendship.  Read more about this laudable decision below, or watch this video:

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I went back and re-read a piece I wrote back then, which I think recaptures the feelings of New Yorkers during those days, and reminds us what the battle is ultimately about. The article, Etiquette and Resilience in the Face of Calamity, can be found here.

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A recent Palestinian Center for Public Opinion Poll sought to understand whether or not Palestinians are in support of Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to bring the Palestinian case before the UN again, later this month.  Equally importantly, the poll also examined what the people think will come of this decision.   The results, pasted below, show that over 86% of Palestinians disapprove of the US attempt to recognize the Palestinian state, and provide insight into other commonly held sentiments as well:

83.6%) of the Palestinians evaluate the US efforts on recognizing the Palestinian state as  

              negative.

(59.3%) prefer to resume the negotiations with Israel.

(45.2%) expect Palestine to become a new UN member

(48.8%) oppose holding peaceful demonstrations after proclaiming the recognition of the

              State of Palestine at the UN.

(49.2%) believe that the PA President, Mahmoud Abbas, should exert more effort to

obtain international support for the recognition of the Palestinian state.

(52.7%) oppose at various degrees any decision taken by the PA President to retreat from

              going to the UN.

(41.7%) appreciate the UN role in the efforts aiming at the recognition of the Palestinian

              state.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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Frustrated by our governments “lack of cooperation and irresponsibility among elected officials,” Howard Schultz emailed his team about how Starbucks can alleviate the current uncertain times.  But he is not stopping there, according to an article in the New York Times.  Schultz has called for a campaign boycott that he hopes will captivate our elected officials attention, and focus them towards creating jobs.  This step of leadership is exactly what our country needs at this time, and we are proud to be able to call ourselves his partner.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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A recent Gallup poll announced in Haaretz shows that 81% of Muslim Americans and 78% of Jewish Americans are aligned in wanting an independent Palestinian state to coexist with an Israeli state, showing that there is support in American communities for a two-state solution.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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According to a recent Op-Ed by Amb. Stuart Eizenstat, it is essential for the American Jewish community to recognize that President Obama’s broad principles provide the key to a safe and secure Jewish state.

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CraigConnects, a forum founded by Craig Newmark, is dedicated to “connecting the world for the common good.”  This month, CraigConnects is running a great campaign to benefit our men in uniform; as Craig puts it, “if someone is willing to risk a bullet to protect me, least I can do is to support them.”  That is why this month,  CraigConnects is running a grant challenge for four veteran oriented nonprofits.  The organization that raises the largest number of donations will receive a $100,000 grant. 

Craig’s initiative would be admirable at any point of year but is of special interest to us this month.  For the month of July, Do the KIND Thing is working to benefit veterans and troops who have risked their lives and given their time to protect our country.  To make your KINDNESS count, visit http://www.kindsnacks.com/world/mission.

It will be excited to see which organization wins the grant, as well as to see the realization of projects benefiting soldiers and veterans.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel