Justine Johnston Hemmestad

Author, Newspaper Owner/editor, Iowan, "remembering" Jew

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Jan 16, 2025, 11:24 PM

The End, from the Dayton Leader

This could well be the end of the Israel-Hamas war, but not in a good way. To see the end, Israel must be entrenched in threats - Hamas is still in power and murderers, as well as the body...

Jan 16, 2025, 7:44 AM

Potential Hostage Deal and Huckabee in a Trump Presidency

I remember shaking Mike Huckabee’s hand at the 2016 Republican convention in Fort Dodge with my Aunt-in-Law. He was running for president then, having already won the 2008 Iowa Republican Caucuses (when he said, “Tonight, I love Iowa a...

Jan 7, 2025, 3:36 AM

Islamic State Inspiration, from the Dayton Leader

The threat of spreading terrorism is what Israel is fighting to stop. The terrorism that infiltrated Israel’s borders on October 7, 2023, still threatens to not only cross their borders, but the borders of other countries as well. The threat not...

Dec 31, 2024, 5:22 AM

Congressman Nunn’s Support and Carter’s Legacy

Late October 2024, 388 days after Hamas attacked Israel, Congressman Zach Nunn reiterated the strength of the American-Israeli partnership when Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, visited Des Moines to build support for Israel. Nunn expressed...

Dec 20, 2024, 5:32 PM

Marilyn Monroe, the Zionist

Upon the discovery of Norma Jean's Bar & Grill in Panama, Iowa, and finding a photo of Marilyn Monroe with Miss Iowa, the Leader did more digging for Iowa connections. We knew Monroe was Jewish (as was Elizabeth Taylor). What...

Dec 16, 2024, 4:30 AM

Hanukkah Amidst War, from the Dayton Leader

This year, the first night of Hanukkah falls on the same day as Christmas so we thought it would be apt to see how Hanukkah has been celebrated historically in north-central Iowa, as well as how Hanukkah is celebrated...

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About Me

Justine Hemmestad earned a Bachelor's Degree at The University of Iowa, and a Master's Degree in Literature through Northern Arizona University. She's written three books (published by Turtle Shell Publishing and Antimony and Elder Lace Press) and has been included in nearly 30 anthologies. She's owned The Dayton Leader newspaper in Iowa for over a year, and has a vested, familial passion for Israel.

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