By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –There are two reasons for the U.S. to seek the demise of Bashar Assad’s regime — for what it would mean to Syria and for what it would mean to Iran. The first is insufficient reason for the U.S. to involve itself directly. The second raises the elephant-in-the-room question: “Would […]
In Obama’s chess game, Israel, Syria and Turkey just pawns Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Peter Starr, called the “Spielberg of motorcycle moviemaking” by his friend Jay Leno, is building a unique sort of bridge to Taiwan with the help of a small group of elderly motorcycle enthusiasts in America. Starr made 40 motorcycle racing movies from the 1970s to the 1990s. Now 69,
Jewish motorcyclist tours Taiwan Read More »
International
By Carol Davis SOLANA BEACH, California — In 1937 George and Ira Gershwin wrote the score for the movie Shall We Dance. Included in the score was the classic “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”… no they can’t. Ira, of course wrote the lyrics and George the music. Together they would go on to
‘Words by’ production is pedestrian Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the most disturbing of many disturbing developments in the Middle East recently is the growing fear among America’s traditional Arab allies that Washington’s support can no longer be relied on. Whether this fear has any valid basis is irrelevant. Last month, for instance, Reuters reported on
Arab allies doubt U.S. steadfastness Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Western Iran-watchers have been pleased these past few weeks to see evidence that international sanctions against the Islamic Republic appear to have precipitated the collapse of local currency and demonstrations in the marketplace. The EU added a new sanctions package last week. Finally, they seem to be saying, we’re
Sanctions don’t hurt Iran’s decision makers Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Eileen Wingard JERUSALEM — The State of Israel pulled out all the stops to welcome the Hadassah Convention in Jerusalem October 15-18, celebrating the women’s Zionist organization’s centennial and the dedication of Hadassah Hospital’s new Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower. There were banners and signs displayed everywhere, and on Ben Yehuda Street, the stores all
Celebrating Hadassah’s centennial as a delegate Read More »
Eileen Wingard
The following article was submitted by a young cast member appearing in J*Company’s production of Funny Girl. For the 2012-2013 Season, J*Company is proud to present a tribute to Barbra Streisand featuring productions of FUNNY GIRL, a role that won Streisand her first Oscar for her portrayal of Fanny Brice; YENTL, based on Isaac Bashevis
My Funny Girl experience Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Among the complaints I have received about my columns touching the American election are: Mind your own business. Israel should take care of itself. The United States has done enough for you. You don’t understand American politics. Domestic issues will shape the election, not foreign policy. I have little doubt that
Foreigners should have opinions on U.S. election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAFive hurt as Gaza rockets pummel Israel’s south (JNS.org) More than 65 rockets were fired into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, wounding five people, two of them seriously, and causing extensive property damage, Israel Hayom reported. Two Thai foreign workers in their 20s were seriously hurt when a rocket exploded directly into a
JNS News Briefs: October 24, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –If you are reading this column regularly, you may remember that Miriam was the shy participant in the class that I have been describing. You will surely remember that this was a class in which I used the book of Genesis as a springboard for discussions about leadership.
Noah and Abraham were different kinds of leaders Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rhonda Amber, RN SAN DIEGO — Temple Emanu-El, a reform synagogue in the Del Cerro area, has a tradition of hosting Smart-Vote events prior to the elections. This year I attended not only as a politically interested member of the Temple, but also as a member of J-Street San Diego, the political home
Local congressional candidates tell positions on Israel Read More »
Travel and Food
By David Amos SAN DIEGO–Here are some intriguing things to think about: Mozart lived to the age of 35; Schubert, 32, Beethoven, 57, to name just a few who had relatively short lifetimes. The list is long, but we should add to it here the names of Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Bizet. Can you think of
Today’s composers need our help Read More »
Travel and Food
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Obviously Jewish survival must depend upon something more than empty sentimentalism. There must be something more than a cultural Jewish identity that finds Jewish fulfillment in bagels and lox. While many Jews live a nostalgically religious life, at least an equally large number have become ambivalent
When Jews seek spirituality elsewhere Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiDexter Van Zile writes that the letter calling on Congress to investigate military aid to Israel—which prompted major Jewish groups to walk away from interfaith dialogue—has all the markings of Churches for Middle East Peace, an organization that interprets its mandate to promote peace as a call to assail Israel with one-sided criticism and treat
Christian letter on Israel a ‘big muddy’ for their leaders Read More »
Jewish Religion