By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the staples of 2011 punditry has been the “decline” of the United States. See Google’s 190,000,000 results in 0.26 seconds for “U.S.decline in power.” China in particular, pundits say, is about to eat our economic lunch, and all that’s left for us is to figure out how […]
Don’t bet on China surpassing U.S. economically Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Carol Davis CHULA VISTA, California —One of the very first plays I saw at the old Lyceum Theatre downtown (just before it came under the wrecking ball to make way for Horton Plaza, was Bernard Pomerance’s 1977 play, The Elephant Man. Later in 1998 The North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach mounted it.
‘Elephant Man’ a brave but problematic production Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Whenever I read the Lubavitcher website, it seems as if we are reliving history. The Lubavitcher character assassination of Shmuley Boteach reminds me of how the 17th century Dutch Jewish community treated one of its heretical spirits and his name was Uriel da Costa (1585-1640).
Critics of ‘Kosher Jesus’ author reminiscent of 17th Century Dutch Jewish community Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m happy to be able to say something (almost) good about Avigdor Lieberman: he’s opposed to the extension ofIsrael’s so-called Tal Law. The law is named after a retired Israeli judge who headed a commission some years ago that recommended that haredim continue to be exempt from military service.
Netanyahu postpones decision on renewing military exemption for haredim Read More »
Middle East
By Jack Forman SAN DIEGO–Dusk is an intriguing, imaginatively-directed and very well acted 90-minute Israeli film which in Hebrew is titled Beyn Hashmashot. But a more accurate translation of the Hebrew title is “Twilight”; literally, “Beyn Hashmashot” means “between the suns”, i.e., between the sunset and the onset of evening. (In English, the onset of
‘Dusk,’ an Israeli movie, is a multi-sided morality tale Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–You want fairness from this aging academic? This is a time when I’ll side with a prominent Israeli Arab politician, who has been a source of considerable annoyance for us Jews. But fair is fair. In the last couple of days he earned my commendation. Ahmed Tibi, MD, is one
Knesset suspension of Arab member unfair Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight, USN (ret.) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just recently President Obama crossed the Potomac River and stopped at the Pentagon to roll out America’s newest national security strategy – Sustaining Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense. The key thesis of the strategy is that after ten years of war in the Middle
Only U.S. can keep Strait of Hormuz open Read More »
USA