By Matthew RJ Brodsky WASHINGTON–Asma Assad was heralded as the great white hope for reform in Syria. But that narrative was always false, and a lot of starry-eyed politicians, experts and reporters should have known better. From “A Rose in the Desert” to the target of European Union sanctions, what a difference a year has […]
Asma Assad: no desert rose Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the knottiest of problems Israelis have to deal with are the aspirations of Jews to move into areas thickly settled by hostile Arabs. The issue is not the simple one of most settlements in the West Bank or the established post-1967 neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Think what you will about
The fight over Machpelah and others to come Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Sheryl L. Rowling SAN DIEGO –As usual, the Money Maven needs to take a break for “tax season.” Luckily, the Passover Fairy has agreed to answer your questions. The Money Maven will return next time! Dear Passover Fairy, I’m trying to save money. Passover food is so expensive! Nobody even likes to eat matzo!
‘Passover Fairy’ answers some Money Maven-type questions Read More »
Jewish Religion, Sheryl RowlingNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has called upon the U.S. State Department to clarify that it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in accordance with U.S. law, following a press briefing by departmental spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, who refused to confirm the fact. In her March 28 press briefing, Nuland, when
ZOA calls for U.S. acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Read More »
Middle East
By Carol Davis CARLSBAD, California –When doing what you do best means bringing Sam Shepard back to your stages again and again, then Sam Shepard it is. Buried Child premiered at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 1978 and was directed by Robert Woodruff. It premiered in New York of that same year and
‘Buried Child’ is a psycho-drama not for everyone Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Among the things I remember from my history lessons in Fall River is that the British forces employed Hessian mercenaries against the American patriots. Both “mercenary” and “Hessian” had a nasty tone in the textbooks and class discussions. I wonder if those lessons remain in place, and if they are coupled
A cautionary note about government subcontractors Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USALA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — The executive director of Hillel of San Diego says his organization’s quest to build a new center near the UCSD campus has not been deterred by a local planning unit’s advisory vote against the project. Michael Rabkin wrote to supporters of Hillel: “On Tuesday last week {March 27}, Hillel of San Diego
Hillel undeterred by ‘street vacation’ setback Read More »
San Diego CountyBy Cynthia Citron VENTURA, California–Most women, when faced with a diagnosis of lymphoma, might be overcome by despair. But Cheri Steinkellner turned the experience into a one-woman musical monologue that became part of the Inner Voices series that played Off-Broadway at Primary Stages in 2010. “The piece, called Mosaic, was a composite story—mine and a
Meet Cheri Steinkellner: her life is written in plays Read More »
Cynthia Citron
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —Children have an unusual ability when it comes to confronting our spiritual hypocrisy as parents and as adults; very often they get to the essence of the problem as they perceive things. Frequently, as parents, we often fail to hear the questions our young people ask of
Answering the ‘wicked child’ at the seder Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiSAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Rabbi Moishe Leider of Chabad of University City on Monday, April 2, sent out an advisory to the community that shots had been fired at his synagogue. He wrote: “As you may have heard from various news sources, two bullet holes were recently discovered in windows on the bottom floor of our Synagogue. Thank
Bullet holes found in synagogue windows Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Rep. Michele Bachmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — As millions around the world begin to celebrate the feast of Passover at sundown on Friday, April 6, it is important to remember why this celebration exemplifies God’s mercy on His people. When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of their great suffering at
Former presidential candidate tells of concern for Israel Read More »
Middle East
By David Brin ENCINITAS, California–Google’s April Fools “product releases” are infamous, but this is one I sure hope they actually implemented as an app. (Anyone care to try it?) “Tap” is an implementations of two-thumb texting that would let you exchange messages truly eyes-free… via Morse Code! (Hey, I even portray this in my new
From brain imaging to parasite infestations Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Surprised? Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals in their latest data that 88 percent of Israelis will take part in a Seder and 47 percent eat only kosher for Passover items during the holiday. Meantime, as Pesach approaches, latest figures from the National Insurance Institute’s 2011 poverty report indicate there are
20 ways to know Pesach is arriving in Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO — Our thanks to Melanie Rubin, who has spotted a license plate with double Jewish interest. MAZLTAV, of course, means good luck in both Yiddish and Hebrew. But there is also the specialty ‘Yosemite’ plate on which the happy expression is printed. Some pronounce it ‘Yo-Sem-It-Ee,’ but others, think of the
Double-interest license plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin