Jewish Population Inside and Outside Israel During the Last Centuryby Yehezkel Laing As we look around us we see the world economy taking a nosedive which financial experts say may be unprecedented. At the same time we see the totalitarian regime of Iran approaching the creation of a nuclear bomb. The question is why are these and other cataclysmic events happening davka now?
It appears we are approaching a critical moment in the history of the Jewish people. For almost two thousand years little changed for the Jewish people regarding national independence. We lived scattered all over the world, subject to the whims and mercies of our host nations. However, over the course of less than a century we have seen the rapid decline of the exile and the growing influence of the State of Israel. Today the number of Jews in the diaspora is one third of what it was only 70 years ago.
On the other hand the number of Jews in Israel is rapidly approaching 6 million. Currently there are about 5.7 million Jews in the Jewish homeland. Every year, due to births and aliya, there are 100,000 more Jews in Israel and every year, due to deaths and assimilation, there are 100,000 less Jews in the Diaspora. At the current rate, in a little over three years time, the State of Israel will hold the majority of the Jews in the world – that is the Jewish people will have officially “returned home”. Coincidentally we also see that those who contest Jewish national independence are reaching their greatest opposition as they instinctively realize the significance of the moment.
Jews typically wield disproportional influence to their numbers. The countries which were strongest 30 years ago were the two world super powers, the Soviet Union and the US. Similarly, the two countries which contained the most Jews 30 years ago were the Soviet Union and the US. When the Jews left Russia the country collapsed and it is no longer considered a super power. In the past couple of years the State of Israel surpassed the US regarding size of Jewish population. Coincidentally we see the United States economy has begun to implode.
The Jewish Bible tells us that one day God will gather in His People. “Therefore say, 'So says the Lord GOD, ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.'” (Ezekiel 11:17). While the present situation presents us with many great challenges we should always remember how lucky we are to be able to witness the fulfillment of this great prophecy. How lucky we are to be able to witness the Redemption.
Nisan 1, 5769, 3/26/2009
On Campus: Hillel's Views
Email Conversation between student Michael and Steven Wagner, Campus Coordinator- Calgary Hillel
Subject: "Dear Hillel Members, U of C Students and other concerned Israel activists;
It has come to my attention that people have been tearing-down posters promoting this year’s Palestine Awareness Week. Each year, the Palestinian Canadian Student Society (PCSS) puts on a week-long program promoting awareness for Palestinian culture, as well as human rights issues. Calgary Hillel and the PCSS have had a positive relationship for a number of years already. In order to highlight this point, I would add that the University of Calgary is the only major Canadian campus with such positive relations. It is not in our interests to change the peaceful and tolerant atmosphere we have at the University of Calgary – where Jewish and Zionist students feel safe to be themselves and express themselves. Tearing-down the PCSS’ posters and replacing them with posters meant to jab the PCSS or the Palestinian human rights movement goes against the policy of Calgary Hillel. If our members have been doing this, we ask you to please stop it. If our members know who is doing this, we request that you please stop them. Tearing down their posters is in contravention to Hillel’s understandings with the PCSS about conduct on campus, and jeopardizes the peaceful atmosphere we have at U of C. It must stop now. As a final note, I will add that if you are interested in Israel advocacy, to please contact the Hillel board at hillel@ucalgary.ca. We are always looking for volunteers and new programs.
Thank you for your understanding, and cooperation. Steven Wagner Campus Coordinator- Calgary Hillel
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Reply:
The majority of Palistineans who support "human rights and palistinean culture" also support Hamas, Islam (inherently anti jew) and islamic colonization. There is no such thing as palistinean culture. There is no such thing as palistineans before the 20th century. Palistineans are a made up people. You may think short term safety and comfort at U of C is worth accepting the lie of the palistinean people. However in so doing you are supporting the root cause of the conflict in Israel. The "west bank" is actually JUDEA. Gaza is actually part of Samaria. Truth may make your environment uncomfortable but I ask you are the people who get blown up by these Islamists comfortable? Get real. I have nothing to do with tearing down posters but the truth must be told. Im sure you have been told to give the message out on behalf of Hillel. Dont take it personal. Where was Hillel at the last Aryan Guard march?
Michael Canada/Calgary
Adar 28, 5769, 3/24/2009
Full Film: Rabbi Tendler on Temple Mount
(co-starring your humble and lucky servant Yishai Fleisher)
Yishai and Malkah Fleisher are Zionists, activists and turned-on Jews. They met at Cardozo Law School in Manhattan as students, got engaged, and flew to Israel to get married in Hebron.
Malkah is originally from Sherman, Texas and is a graduate of George Washington University with a degree in Political Communication. She hosts a variety of shows at Arutz Sheva's Israel National Radio, including the Eishet Chayil Show.
Yishai is an internationally recognized lecturer, show host, and columnist and has been featured on CNN, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and other international and Jewish media. Yishai was an IDF paratrooper and studied Poli-Sci at Yeshiva University. Yishai co-founded Kumah, a grassroots organization dedicated to encouraging American Aliyah. His writing and Zionist efforts landed him a job at Arutz Sheva's Israel National Radio. Today he hosts the "Yishai and Friends" show and is the Director of Programming of the station.
