A nominating committee proposed a confidante to Barack Obama as the next chairman of the foreign policy umbrella for U.S. Jewish groups. Alan Solow, a Chicago-area bankruptcy lawyer and philanthropist, has backed President-elect Obama since his first run for Illinois state senate in 1996. Solow--who has held a variety of leadership roles with the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund, currently chairs the national Jewish Community Centers Association.

Hundreds of generous and caring Chicagoland Jewish families -- even more than last year -- donated their own time and money to buy gifts for Jewish families in need through The ARK's Chanukah Gift Wishes program. The program provides volunteer sponsor families with "wish lists" that have been filled out by clients, without disclosing any names. The volunteers then shop for the requested gifts, using their own money, and deliver them to The ARK, where clients pick them up. If the gifts are for children, the parents take the gifts home and can wrap them and present them to their children themselves.

Finely shredded potatoes or coarsely grated ones? Onions or no onions? Parsley or no parsley? Canola or olive oil for frying?

There are plenty of variables when preparing the batter for latkes, the Jewish potato pancakes traditionally served during Hanukkah. But, said Chicago chef and restaurant owner Ina Pinkney, it's hard to go wrong with fried potatoes.

A Kassam rocket that hit a home in Sderot was one of at least 50 rockets and mortars to strike southern Israel since a cease-fire with Hamas ended. Rockets and mortars fired Sunday from the Gaza Strip also injured the arm of a foreign worker, and landed in Ashkelon's industrial zone, near an elementary school and a youth cultural center in the western Negev. In response, Israeli forces struck at least two rocket launchers in Gaza.

Meanwhile, an operation will be launched against Hamas in the Gaza Strip even if the terror group heeds an Egyptian request and reduces its rocket attacks against Israel, senior defense officials said Monday.

It takes charm, courage and chutzpah to master the Washington diplomatic scene, and Houda Ezra Nonoo, Bahrain's first female ambassador here and the first Jewish ambassador of an Arab country, is well on her way.

Steven Dishler, director of International Affairs of JUF's Jewish Community Relations Council, met with Ambassador Nonoo in early December at the embassy of Bahrain, as part of JCRC's advocacy efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Today, 36 Jews live in Bahrain, and they are all related, Nonoo said. There is one synagogue in Manama but no rabbi. A "learned scholar" presides over special religious celebrations and funerals, and kosher meat is flown in from London. The last bris was performed 80 years ago, and the last Jewish wedding took place in 1965, she said. Such functions are now held abroad.

The JUF TOV Volunteer Network's winter calendar of one-time volunteer projects, Merry Mitzvot, is going on now! Merry Mitzvot runs through Thursday, January 1, 2009 and offers many opportunities to give back during the holiday season. From sorting donations to serving food, opportunities abound to make the holidays more meaningful. Check out the available opportunities and sign up for projects.

In conjunction with Merry Mitzvot, TOV will be collecting new or unopened travel-size toiletries and cleaning products to benefit the clients of local social service agencies. See a list of drop-off locations.

Let Russia stop Iran by Oded Eran, Giora Eiland & Emily Landau
The Syrian strategy by Danielle Pletka
Syrian illusions by Herb Keinon