Points of Jew

Make Xmas history?

First there was Make Poverty History, then came Make Bono History and then Make Bob Geldof History and now comes MC Rebbe and his Make Christmas History.

So if you are fed up with the commercial season of giving, then join the Rebbe and his campaign. Aimed at all those who just hate this time of year.

He's got just about all the graphics and images you can use as can be seen from the link below.

MC Rebbe says Make Christmas History

Lib Dems attack Tory

On the eve prior to the eve of Chankukah and Xmas, Brent Lib Dems issued a press release in which they were trying to make political gain by accusing a Tory Brent Councillor of holding some anti-semite views over comments he said that appear to be taken out of context.

SomethingJewish has the story:

Tory party leader David Cameron has been asked by the Liberal Democrats to take action over a Conservative Councillor who said at a meeting: "Jews run everything in Britain and practically run America."

The comments were made by Brent Councillor Jack Sayers at a health conference in Cricklewood, north west London in June this year and he says they were taken out of context and used against him to get political gain by the Liberal Democrats.  The matter was referred to the Standards Board and Mr Sayers was cleared.

"It was a private conversation I was having and was not a sinister comment," said Mr Sayers, a Tory Councillor since 1990.  "You've got to admire the Jewish people and what they have done and achieved. That is what I was getting at. This has been blown all out of proportion and is a political vendetta against me. The Liberal Democrats are trying to court the Jewish community by taking what I said all out of context."

Chanukah time

Chanukah is fast approaching which can only mean one thing - donuts.

And with Krispy Kreme now in the UK, Daily Jews has a round-up on what donut delights you can buy. They've done the munching so you don't have to put on the calories.

Daily Jews writes:

Krispy Kreme, which have been popular with US doughnut eaters since 1937, opened up their first UK outlet in top people's store Harrods just before Chanukah 2003 and now they've expanded by offering their trademark delights across a range of Tesco supermarkets.

Famous for its bagel-shaped original glazed doughnut, Krispy Kreme now offers 14 other doughnut varieties, covering all tastes and flavours, including: maple flavour iced, lemon filled, chocolate iced, cinnamon apple filled and glazed with cream flavour filling.

Eager Krispy Kreme eaters will note that Krispy Kreme does have kosher supervision in the US, where its plants that make the doughnuts are certified kosher. While the UK version is not currently supervised, it uses the same US ingredients and is keeping preparation of doughnuts separate from anything else. Also, the doughnuts contain no animal by-products other than eggs and milk.

UK Jews help Kashmir relief

SomethingJewish is reporting on help the British Jewish community has given to those who suffered as a result of the Kashmir earthquake.

As can be seen, when people are in need, religious and cultural barriers should never be an issue when someone can offer help and support.

A Jewish humanitarian organisation has teamed up with a Kashmiri relief group to assist in the construction of much-needed housing for the survivors of the South Asian earthquake.

The catastrophic earthquake that struck Kashmir on October 8th, is estimated to have claimed the lives of 100,000 people, the entire housing stock in the region has been completely wiped out, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

World Jewish Aid, a London-based charity affiliated to World Jewish Relief - has pledged £35,000, for the construction of about 75-80 houses in the District of Bagh, and surrounding villages. These houses will be built in collaboration with Human Aid Focus.

Matisyahu remakes video

Orthodox Jewish rapper/reggae sensation Matisyahu has remade the video for his King Without A Crown classic track.

Now signed to Sony, a few extra bucks have been spent and the results are stunning.

Click here to view it.

Finally a Jew signing songs that are positive about Jewish and managing to get a record deal.

Mazel tov to all!

Click here for more great stuff on the migthty one.

Jewish community helps with housing in earthquake Pakistan

The Pak Tribune is running a story on how the UK Jewish community through World Jewish Relief is helping those in Pakistan who suffered as a result of the earthquake on October 8.

Pak Tribune reports:

A Jewish humanitarian organisation has teamed up with a Kashmiri relief group to assist in the construction of much-needed housing for the survivors of the South Asian earthquake.

The catastrophic earthquake that struck Kashmir on October 8th, is estimated to have claimed the lives of 100,000 people, the entire housing stock in the region has been completely wiped out, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

World Jewish Aid, a London-based charity affiliated to World Jewish Relief - has pledged £35,000, for the construction of about 75-80 houses in the District of Bagh, and surrounding villages.

Sharon rushed to hospital

Israeli PM has been hospitalised following a minor stroke.

Ynet has full ongoing coverage:

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem after feeling unwell, Channel 2 has reported.

The prime minister lost consciousness upon arriving at the emergency room, Channel 10 reported earlier, but later regained consciousness.

A member of the Popular Resistance Committees told Ynet that Sharon fell ill because of the stressed caused by the latest wage of Qassam rockets over the last few days. “God answered our prayers and didn’t disappoint us,” the official said.

Sacks gets his Knighthood

Just over a week ago, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was merely just Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, but after a meeting with The Queen, he can prove he is a Sir.

Our Jonathan collected his Knighthood in front of the Queen at the ceremony which also saw his family attend.

Well done Jonny boy!  Or should that be Sir Jonny Boy?

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Look forward to hearing from you.

No Chanukah at Number 10

Looks like there are no plans to have another Chanukah celebration at 10 Downing Street.

Last year, PM Tony Blair had a menorah and lighted the candles with a variety of guests. This year, it just isn't happening.

TotallyJewish reports:

A Number 10 spokesperson told the TJ: “It is doubtful that the Prime Minister will be lighting candles this year.It was never intended to be an annual event. However, he added: “It is not being ruled out in the future though.”