Greg Lauren
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Jul 25, 2017, 8:41 AM
Why the Saudis won’t be helping to “liberate” Al Aqsa
The video below shows a Saudi caller telling the host of a show on Al-Hiwar, an Arabic language station in London, that as long as the struggle for Al Aqsa is connected to Qatar and Hamas, the Saudis will...
Jul 12, 2017, 4:43 AM
Between the Dire Straits
The 17th of Tammuz. The day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, three weeks prior to the destruction of the 2nd Temple. People blame the Romans. The Romans were an accessory. A vehicle. The real culprits? The quarreling Jewish...
Feb 27, 2015, 1:59 AM
A Musical Tour of Israel (HD)
Just a little back story. In a past life, besides having a day gig as a trader on Wall St., my night gig was that of a semi-pro wannabe DJ/producer. For those old enough (and sober enough) to remember the Global...
Nov 21, 2014, 6:29 AM
Ethics of the Martyrs (Pirkei Kedoshim)
"If you have learned much Torah, do not take credit for yourself---it is for this that you have been formed." - Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai (Ethics of the Fathers 2:9) There's a prevailing idea in Jewish philosophy that anything concerning the...
May 6, 2014, 6:14 PM
The Jewish “Intermarriage Crisis”
On Yom HaShoah, I had read someone’s Facebook status about how “on this day, we need to pray to G-d that he has Jews marrying Jews.” I hate to be a buzzkill, but stopping intermarriage accomplishes virtually nothing. Or...
Sep 3, 2013, 1:04 AM
A Lesson on Syria for a Hollywood and Broadway “Birthright” Trip (Video)
Venerated Broadway producer Manny Azenberg is by no means a religious man. His "beit midrash" is the Broadway stage. His "hevrutas" are the likes of Neil Simon, Woody Allen, and Mel Brooks. His collection of "seforim" includes: Brighton Beach...
Aug 29, 2013, 8:49 PM
Amr Armanazi: The Socialite Dr. Mengele of Syria
The spelling of the last name seems quite fitting: Arm-a-Nazi. A man who holds the title of Director General at the official-sounding "Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC)" in Damascus. In Beirut in 2010, he participated in a meetings of the Committee on...
Aug 20, 2013, 12:03 PM
Moral Relativism in the “Zionist” Camp
The following account was given over to me by a video journalist friend of mine after one of his many projects in the Old City of Jerusalem and then a subsequent Shabbat he spent there. On Shabbat I was at...
Aug 19, 2013, 2:14 PM
Our Peace Partners: An Anthology
The following is a collection of words of endearment regarding the Jews and the State of Israel from our fine friends at the Palestinian Authority and their cohorts. Also included are some ideas from our friends the Obama administration and...
Aug 11, 2013, 1:26 PM
Minutes before the 2001 Sbarro’s Bombing in Jerusalem
The following is a Facebook status posted by Naphi Miller, who is a friend of a friend who decided to leave Sbarro's in Jerusalem minutes before it was blown up by a suicide bomber on August 9th, 2001. Twelve years...
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About Me
Greg Lauren was born in Ukraine and grew up in the NYC metro area. After working as a trader on Wall St. for 8 years, he made aliyah in 2010. After living in Jerusalem, he returned to NYC and runs the blog Israel Beyond, where he educates young Jews about Israel, the Middle East and Judaism. His ultimate goal is to return to Israel and inspire young Russian-Jews to make aliyah.