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Robert L. Kern

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Jul 8, 2018, 1:43 AM

ORT Introduces New Programs to American Jewish Summer Camps

ORT, the largest Jewish educational network in the world and a global leader in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education, is introducing an innovative new pilot project to bring its acclaimed “YOU-niversity” Centers of Excellence concept from...

Jun 3, 2016, 6:28 AM

Why the Non-Binding, Usually Irrelevant Democratic Party Platform Suddenly Matters

The Democratic Party Platform doesn’t mean anything in practical terms. It’s not binding and it has no impact on policy, even though it is meant to represent the Party’s principal goals. And frankly, the values defining the Republican and...

May 31, 2016, 7:08 AM

Another Kind of “Populated Area Exchange Plan”

I was running to an appointment when my phone buzzed. It was my friend M calling me from Israel. I answered and heard my friend’s familiar voice. “Shalom Shalom,” I replied. “You know, I was just thinking of you. I am...

May 2, 2014, 10:15 PM

Wherever I go, I am always only going to the land of Israel

I actually wrote something completely different for Yom Ha’atzmaut. But then it occurred to me that I should mark Israel’s 66 years of independence by sharing something that happens to me far more often than you’d think. I don’t know how...

Dec 13, 2013, 8:38 PM

Bravo, Evgeny Kissin!

I still remember the first time I heard Evgeny Kissin play piano. It was 1990 and I was in my car, listening to a NYC classical station. Only I wasn’t just listening; I was mesmerized, lost in a rendition...

Dec 9, 2013, 8:46 PM

Giving credit where credit is due – or not

Although I am on the left, I always admired Menachem Begin’s strong and proudly expressed Jewish identity. Even in Washington, DC, on a state visit to meet with President Jimmy Carter, he made it clear that he ate only...

Mar 10, 2013, 10:25 PM

The Freest Arab Nation in the World?

There are currently 12 Arab members (MKs) of Israel’s Knesset. In fact, Arabs have served in the Knesset since 1949, when the first Israeli elections were held. To date, there have been Muslim, Christian, Druze and Bedouin MKs, as...

Oct 19, 2012, 9:59 PM

An Arrest in Jerusalem

A woman was arrested in Jerusalem for praying the Shema out loud. Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center of the Israel Movement of Progressive Judaism and Chairwoman of Women of the Wall, went to the Western...

May 11, 2012, 4:09 PM

Who is a Zionist?

I cannot live without working for Israel, supporting it, buying Israeli products and being there as often as possible, so even if I live in the US, I have a right to comment on Israel's internal affairs

Apr 24, 2012, 3:02 PM

Beinart, boycotts and Israel’s brand

Peter Beinart’s op-ed in The New York Times of March 19, 2012, “To Save Israel, Boycott the Settlements” and his book, “The Crisis of Zionism,” are disturbingly naïve and present a threat to American philanthropies supporting Israel. Boycotting anything “Israel”...

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About Me

Robert L. Kern has served as Director of Marketing & Communications for several "American Friends," Zionist and Jewish organizations. He is a former President of the American Jewish Public Relations Society and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Jewish Press Association. The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.