ToI’s weekly deep dive: Newark celebrates native son Philip Roth * MK Yair Lapid Op-Ed * Israeli olive oil strikes liquid gold* Podcast: Uri Regev on averting a theocracy

[Times of Israel]( [Weekly Deep Dive]( Sunday, March 19, 2023 [After kicking down a Holocaust survivor’s door, a NY landlord becomes her guardian]( By Matt Lebovic Real estate investor Brock Cvijanovich wanted to be the good guy in someone’s story, so he and his mother ‘adopted’ an elderly woman whose building he’d purchased in 2021 Op-ed David Horovitz [When Herzog’s bid to save democracy crashed into Netanyahu’s dash for absolute power]( Why did the president claim much was agreed on, and the PM delay his trip, if the coalition was about to deride Herzog’s plan and denounce him? [Op-ed / A last, desperate, long-shot plea: Prime Minister Netanyahu, stop this madness]( By David Horovitz [Likud MKs are afraid of social division, but not enough to take a stand on overhaul]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn Analysis Haviv Rettig Gur [Anatomy of a self-sabotaging reform]( The judicial reformers claim to want democracy, which requires compromise, which requires trust. Why, then, did they start with such an extreme version of their reform? [Hundreds of elite IDF reservists stop showing up for duty over judicial overhaul]( By Emanuel Fabian Analysis [As Saudis sidle up to Iran, some see US apathy, Israeli political chaos to blame]( By Lazar Berman Riyadh has watched DC grow more distant in recent years, and is dismayed by Israel’s current internal unrest and rising tensions with the Palestinians Top Ops Yair Lapid [The deep democratic instinct of patriotic Israelis]( Together, we protect our democracy, our values, and ourselves from a government of bigots and extremists with unchecked power Linda Rich [The pro-parity UJA and its senior execs who don’t count women]( As I see it, you can champion women’s rights, or relegate them to the balcony. You can’t do both. Kenneth Brander [In a divided Jewish world, accepting gay and lesbian Jews is critical]( Those bearing an identity not of their choosing must be able to find a place in the Orthodox Jewish community, without fear Dan Ben-David [On being fruitful and multiplying…exponentially]( While the share of Haredim in Israel’s population doubles every 25 years, their leaders deprive children of the basic education necessary for global economy and modern democracy Diaspora [How the removal of Jewish scripture from Turkey marred Israel’s rescue operation]( By Canaan Lidor ZAKA volunteers brought back and showcased 2 Scrolls of Esther said to be decades old, sparking frenzied allegations of ‘archaeological theft’ in the Turkish media Religion Amy Spiro [He was jailed for threats to kill his wife. A rabbinic court wants to reconcile them]( David* violated restraining order, was sent to prison for 8 months while refusing to grant his wife Lital* a divorce; yet Haifa rabbinical judges suggest they seek ‘shalom bayit’ [Teen girl’s song nixed from municipal show over ultra-Orthodox man in audience]( By ToI Staff [Young woman told to remove anti-overhaul protest sweatshirt to visit Western Wall]( By ToI Staff Diaspora [Jewish group, German organization urge EU authorities to end pro-Nazi marches]( By Canaan Lidor B’nai B’rith International and the Antonio Amadeus Foundation in Berlin find the rallies promote antisemitism even in countries with laws banning such activity [ADL research: Conspiracy-minded Americans tend toward antisemitic views]( By ToI Staff [Americans feel more favorably than not about Jews — survey]( By Michael Horovitz [CRM]( ToI podcast [What Matters Now to religion and state activist Uri Regev: Averting a theocracy]( By Amanda Borschel-Dan This week on the podcast, we hear how the judicial overhaul package may affect religious freedom – and the lack of it – in the Holy Land from an Israeli lawyer/Reform rabbi Interview [Even Portnoy wouldn’t complain about Newark gala for provocative author Philip Roth]( By Jordan Hoffman Interview [Photographer who digitized Dead Sea Scrolls completes new Kirk Douglas archive]( By Rich Tenorio Tech Israel [Health tech leaders warn judicial overhaul will lead to brain drain and funding halt]( By Renee Ghert-Zand CEOs and top researchers fear potential threat to democracy will jeopardize international partnerships that Israel’s innovators rely on to bring treatments to market [Dozens of psychiatrists warn of mental health dangers from judicial overhaul ‘trauma’]( By ToI Staff [Israeli scientists produce world’s first mRNA vaccine for bacteria]( By Renee Ghert-Zand [Researchers oversold Israeli COVID shot, wasted millions on flop — comptroller]( By ToI Staff Interview [How a young Jewish man with a talent for forgery hid in plain sight in WWII Berlin]( By Renee Ghert-Zand Inside Israel [With olives pressed and picked, local farmers hope consumers discover oil in Israel]( By Jessica Steinberg Olive growers and oil producers seek greater exposure for their product, cultivated and pressed in small batches but suffering from competition with cheaper, lower-quality imports [Birthright Israel set to announce five-year ‘greening’ process]( By Sue Surkes [Artist-teacher reflects on life and work from seat of wheelchair]( By Jessica Steinberg Known for collages and installations that juxtapose her subjects with unexpected backgrounds, Yael Robin, who has Parkinson’s disease, is exhibiting works at the Israel Museum Archaeology [Ancient rest stop with flowery mosaic to host tired travelers once again]( By Melanie Lidman Israel Antiquities Authority teams up with residents from central town of Shoham during Good Deeds Day to spruce up 1,800-year-old spot for travelers to take a break [Coin with oldest depiction of Temple menorah displayed for first time]( By Melanie Lidman From the blogs [President Herzog’s initiative is not perfect, but I support it]( By Natan Sharansky For Israelis to simply say ‘no’ with the sort of ferocity that was appropriate when I faced the KGB is a tragic mistake when we face one another [Unsubscribe from this List]( Email not displaying correctly? 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