Just a nosh...

A Moshe by any other name

JERUSALEM – The Knesset is going on the offensive against offensive baby names.

A parliamentary committee has advanced a bill that would bar parents from sticking their children with insulting or damaging names. Under the measure, the interior minister could refuse to register a baby’s name and would appoint a Public Names Committee of experts, including an educator, a psychologist and a social worker, that the minister and the parents could consult on the name choice. The panel could reject a name it deemed might hurt the child.

Under the current law, the interior minister can refuse to register a name that “could mislead or offend the public.”

Knesset: Strengthen ties to U.S. Jewry

JERUSALEM – The Knesset inaugurated a Israel- American Jewish Knesset Caucus on Jan. 25 to raise awareness with Israeli lawmakers about the agendas and priorities of the American Jewish community visa vis Israel, Ynet reported.

Ronit Tirosh of the Kadima Party will chair the caucus. Tirosh is one of six Israeli lawmakers who visited American Jewish communities last year as part of the first Ruderman Fellows Program, which is designed to educate Israeli lawmakers about the American Jewish community.

The caucus is expected to become the “central Knesset address for all issues related to the American Jewish community,” according to a caucus statement.

A poll taken in January, sponsored by the Ruderman Family Foundation, found that 77 percent of Israeli respondents agreed that it was extremely important for members of the Knesset to consider Diaspora views. The poll also found that 87.5 percent of Israelis “believe that the American Jewish community is important to the future and security of the State of Israel.”

Ross to rejoin Jewish policy group

Dennis Ross, the former top Obama administration Middle East strategist, is rejoining the Jewish People Policy Institute as its co-chairman.

Ross, who left the White House last month, will serve as co-chair of the board of directors and professional guiding council of the organization with Stuart Eizenstat, who had replaced Ross as chair when he stepped down from the position to join the Obama administration.

Ross rejoined the Washington Institute for Near East Policy after his departure from the White House. The Jewish People Policy Institute is a professional and independent think tank.

Euro Jewish head gets French honor

Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, was awarded France’s highest honor, the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

Awarded by the French president, it is the highest level of the Legion of Honor, which was established by Napoleon Bonaparte. Among the past recipients are the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Kantor received the award for his efforts on behalf of the rights of minorities, promoting interfaith relations, leading the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, and pushing for a more tolerant Europe in his roles at the European Jewish Congress, the democratically elected umbrella organization representing European Jewry.