The current newsletter addresses two issues. The first is an Israeli and Jewish national policy issue: should Diaspora Jewry have a say in matters pertaining to Israeli national security that can be seen as Jewish issues as well? This question arose recently because of the Annapolis Summit and the potential concessions of Israeli land that are on the Israeli agenda today. Anshel Pfeffer's article provides an overview of the players in the current debate and their stands. We follow with an editorial by OU leaders who see the state of Israel as a "joint venture" of Israeli and Diaspora Jewry. Rosner puts the current altercation into context as part of an ongoing debate regarding the legitimacy of Jewish and foreign influence upon Israeli policy. We conclude this section with an Ha'aretz editorial written a few weeks earlier critiquing the Zionist organizations that mediate between Israeli and Diaspora Jewries for being politicized, corrupt and generally obsolete.

Next, we turn to matters of the spirit. A recent study conducted by Steven Cohen and others, as well as an article in The New York Times reflects a growing awareness of the phenomenon of 'independent minyanim', or 'Holy Communities' as their titled by research authors. These post-denominational communities that stress both spirituality and egalitarianism, and avoid formalities, are favored by many young people over oftentimes stifling established synagogues. We begin with the NYT article by Neela Banerjee and continue with articles by Fishkoff and Rosner both of whom summarize the reports conclusions adding examples and explanations. We follow with two bloggers, one Reform the other Orthodox, both are trying to figure out why their respective denominations are losing members to the "Indi-minyanim", and what can be done to stem the tide.