sad facts

The American Jewish Committee just published a study showing 61% of Jews voting for Obama-down from 78% 4 years ago.This is primarily due to secular Jews.
I would bet orthodox Jews the number would be less than 20% voting for Obama.
If they never attended a synagogue it is 67% -this represented  31% of the group.
If they attended a synagogue once a week-then 52% are for Obama.This was 14% of group.

59% never visited Israel.19% visited once,and 21% more than twice-these numbers were related to synagogue attendance.

It is sad to see Ehud Olmert blast Bibi here in the US joining the former heads of Mossad and intelligence.all of whom for personal vengeance and political bitterness undermine the Israeli position
on the approach to Iran.

Whether the decision of the AG in Israel to talk about a possible upcoming decision on an indictment of Avigdor Lieberman has any role in his decision to bolt the coalition is not clear.

  

upcoming elections?

All of the Israeli papers are talking about the possible calling of elctions in Israel right after the summer.This is not  too suprising, as Bibi called for early primaries long before it was necessary.
What is suprising is that Lieberman announced that after the Tal law vote ( on exemptions of Haredi-Arabs  from the draft )  his party will no longer be obligated to be part of the coalition.
It is hard to understand his reasoning.He has no chance to become PM, and he could even lose his slot in a new coalition which Bibi will once again lead.
The polls show a victory for the right wing .How the possible elections play out in light of a possible summer attack on Iran is difficult at this time to calculate.

THE TAL LAW

One of the greatest conflicts in Israeli life  centers around the secular-religious divide.While the settler-nationalistic Zionist community has become such a part of the IDF,that some in the secular world co- mplain it is too much..They fear the influence of the Hesder yeshivoth in military affairs.
A more serious problem is the failure of the Haredi community to serve in the army ,while collecting stipends from the govt. for yeshiva attendance.Sadly this not only brings hatred upun the orthodox,but as these people marry and have many children they have no means of getting a good job, and depend upon govt.
The Tal law which tried to smooth over the problem was declared unconstitutional by the Court.Now is the time for the Knesset to come up with a new law.
Yesterday FM Lieberman advanced a law mandating all to join govt. service or the army while allowing 1000  students to be exempt-instead of the 60,000 currently excused.
Those who fail to report would be deprived of govt.grants.
In general I support such an approach.
I believe that the numbers excused should be 5% of the applicants=3000, who should have to  take an exam to prove they are top flight candidates worthy to be considered Judges, Rabbinic teachers, and scholars.
If the haredi  community balks-then they have a problem 
howevever the defense of the country is everyones responsibility.