Jonathan Raven, at The Blogs

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Aug 28, 2024, 3:05 PM

A letter to my Haredi brothers, from a secular Israeli

A letter to my Haredi brothers from a secular Israeli Jew. זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דור־ודור שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך (דברים 32:7). בינו שנות דור בכל וגו׳. בכל ודור דור ובכל תקופה באההבנה חדשה בתורה מן השמים, שהיא מתאימה (חידושי הרי״ם, האזינו)...

Jul 31, 2023, 12:11 AM

Maybe it doesn’t make sense to remain a democracy

Is democracy good for Israel? An acquaintance of mine used to be a senior Shabak operative. Obviously, he’s never spoken about his work. We bumped into each other the day after the reasonable test was banned, and I joked “So tell me… when are you...

Jul 13, 2023, 1:45 PM

Israel – where are the adults in the room?

Anyone who says that Israel’s political system doesn’t need reform to strengthen its democracy is either ill-informed or lying. Democracy is the balance of the will of the majority with the protection of minority and civil rights maintained by a separation of powers. Yet, no...

Jul 10, 2023, 5:40 PM

Israel’s economy: The day after the reform

By the end of July, the Israeli Supreme Court will be stripped of its power to strike down laws they consider extremely unreasonable. I will not be discussing the ethical, social, or philosophical issues of this bill. I won’t be discussing security risks, nor the...

May 10, 2023, 9:19 PM

How dare you call the Orthodox parasites?!

Sadly, many secular Israelis consider the Orthodox parasites. Their argument goes as follows: A material portion of the orthodox community: are either not Zionists, or anti-Zionists who will not contribute to the state in terms of national service (militarily or otherwise) ideologically choose a path...

Jan 3, 2023, 8:41 PM

Israel in 2023: A Poem

Our PMs indicted for breach of trust What’s the solution? – the law he’ll adjust No more independence for our court Treating our rights like some kind of sport He relies on support from Aryeh Deri Who’s thinks Ohana a woman should marry Thrice convicted...

Nov 28, 2022, 11:50 PM

Neither Jewish nor personal history contain a God

20-years ago I read an anthropology paper which described an island of 7 provinces. The land had been divided amongst the 7 sons of a long deceased and wise king. By chance, I then stumbled upon a social psychology paper written 60 years later about...

Nov 2, 2022, 8:36 PM

‘For good people to do evil – that takes religion’

Atheism is taboo in Israel. There’s a sense that one should de facto respect the beliefs of religious people. Its time more of us had the courage to come out the closet with pride and influence public debate. I’d argue that at this juncture it’s...

Oct 2, 2022, 6:41 PM

The data shows 10 years of Netanyahu did little to help us

During my 20-year career in investment management, I learned that it’s unwise to be wedded to ideology. To succeed, facts must influence you more than ideology. So let’s evaluate the leadership of Binyamin Netanyahu using the facts. Below are statistics gleaned from the Israel Central...

Jun 15, 2016, 5:38 PM

Bringing good old British diversity to Israel’s schools

Israelis are rarely shy to say what they think, hear or see. Like many British olim (immigrants), I often find that those born and bred in Israel are quick to joke at my British politeness, tease my British accent and of course inquire whether I...

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About Me

Originally from London. Father to 3 teenagers. Investment Manager.