So you want to stay updated on current events in Israel...

Hey everyone--how's it going? We hope you are enjoying the summer whether you're at camp, work, home, abroad, or anywhere in between. It was just about a month ago that our group flew back to the US, after two weeks of learning, fun, hummus, and site-seeing. Since then, a lot has happened in Israel--events of great geopolitical significance, controversial laws, cross-boarder skirmishes and rescue operations, inter-denominational strife, and much, much more. One of the things our group learned from Ilan, our guide, and many of our speakers, is that almost everything in Israel is colored by various voices and conflicting vantage-points. Even though our trip has ended, we hope you'll keep listening for those different angles. The stories above are just a handful of examples of Israeli current events--there's so much more happening here! While you'll find stories about Israel in the Washington Post or New York Times once in a while, you can check out some of the following news sources for more consistent information:

• The Times of Israel - A leading English-language news sources for goings-on in Israel. The paper covers everything from local news, to news from all over the Jewish world, to cultural events and lots more. Their blog section offers a very wide-array of opinions from across the political and religious spectrum. 
• Ynet News - Yidiot Ahronot is one of the most widely-read papers in Israel, and this is their translated-to-English website. It covers mostly local news and features Israeli opinion writers. 
• Arutz Sheva News - Arutz Sheva (literally "Channel Seven") offers this website for the English-reading world. Like Ynet, it covers mostly Israeli topics and lots of areas from politics to music to sports.  
• Haaretz - Haaretz is one of the oldest newspapers in Israel. This generally left-leaning publication offers thorough news coverage, as well as the most reputed financial section in Israel. It usually publishes in Hebrew but this is their English site (a subscription might be required) 
• Tablet Magazine - Tablet Magazine is a US-based online publication that offers in-depth analysis on topics from all over the Jewish world (from "The 100 Most Jewish Foods" to "This Week in Gal Gadot..." to a weekly summary of the Talmud's Daf Yomi, or "daily page" cycle). They offer really great insights about goings-on in the US Jewish community and in Israel as well.

You can check out any of these sites to get a taste of what's going on. With that, we'll leave you with some positive news. The 35th Annual Jerusalem Film Festival is opening (in Jerusalem, of course) and it promises to be really amazing. Check out of some of the movies and events that will be featured here.