Daniel Lubetzky

“The best kind of person to be is a kind person.”

-Bob Eaton, KINDAHOLIC

In Thomas Friedman’s poignant New York Times piece this week, he asked Muslim demonstrators wreaking havoc at our embassies abroad to “look in the mirror.” Many outraged demonstrators are claiming, “We never insult any prophet — not Moses, not Jesus — so why can’t we demand that Muhammad be respected?” Friedman responds by first clarifying that no matter how offensive the insult, it does not warrant attacks and murders of innocent people. Second, he points out the hypocrisy in the demonstrators’ outcry and proceeds to list the many ways in which Sunni Muslims around the world have disrespected and insulted religions of all types in recent years. We could all benefit from looking in our mirrors and give greater respect to others, but as Friedman points out, it is the responsibility of government and the media to condemn those who spew hateful rhetoric. And in America, we are fortunate to see exactly that in our reflection.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

After a deadly attack at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, followed by attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Sana’a and Cairo this week, the media widely reported the catalyst to be an anti-Islam film created by Jewish Israeli-American Sam Bacile. Bacile, at the center of this global controversy, claimed that 100 Jewish donors provided him with $5 million to finance the film in order to help Israel. As the JTA uncovers, the creator of the film, is neither Jewish nor Israeli; rather, he is an Egyptian Chrisitian living in California named Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. Despite recent reports revealing the filmmaker’s true identity, his widely publicized alias and lie resonated around the Middle East and will endanger Jews assigned with blame as a result.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzy, by Julianna Storch

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In the New Yorker’s online News Desk David Remnick draws attention to the damage done by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the international stage with his “Neocon Strategy.” He specifically criticizes the way in which Netanyahu has inserted himself into American politics with derision of Obama and an alliance with Romney.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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Andrés Spokoiny, President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, wrote a beautiful piece on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year that will be celebrated next week. Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah presents a time for self-reflection and renewal at the start of the new year. At this pivotal time of year, Spokoiny empowers readers to rewrite their past by altering their future, reminding everyone that “The story of our lives hasn’t yet been written: a single act of courage or kindness can change how the narrative ends.” See the full piece below after the jump.

Wishing everyone a good and sweet new year!

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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Check out this cool clip from “Roving Mars” demonstrating how NASA sends its rovers to Mars in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

Once again, youth leaders are leading the way to a brighter future. Stanford student initiative AMENDS brought 36 youth leaders from 17 different countries across the Middle East and North Africa to a summit at Stanford to learn from one another. Their talks, ranging in topics from peace-creating potential of micro-finance to the struggle to define and promote women’s rights, are now available online to engage a wider audience with their ideas and discussions.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

With the swift passing of Labor Day, it’s time to switch gears from Summer to Fall. One of the best parts of this new season is the launch of Maiyet‘s Fall Collection, now available at Barneys in New York, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas. Click on the image below of Daria Werbowy shot as part of the Fall Campaign on location in Kenya to peruse the latest pieces fashioned by artisans in developing countries around the world.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

TODAY nutritionist Madelyn Fernstrom recommends KIND bars as a healthy and convenient airport snack because they are made with ‘simple, all natural ingredients you can see.’ It was out of this need for healthy snack options on the go that Daniel initially founded KIND. See the video below for this and other healthy suggestions from the Today Show.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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