By Alan Eisner WASHINGTON, D.C – After years of diplomatic deadlock, peace – or at least talk of peace – is in the air again for Israel and the Palestinians. Last month’s Israeli election, which moved the country back toward the political center, following President Obama’s re-election and his appointment of […]
Active U.S. role needed for Mideast peace Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Higher education has always been a dicey enterprise, bringing enlightenment as well as threats to the establishment. It is not difficult to find assertions, from ancient times to not so long ago, that providing literacy to the masses is a sure path to hell. A current worry coming from
BDS: A new preoccupation for ill-informed students Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — In addition to the weekly portion, a second text will be read in synagogues this upcoming Shabbat. It’s about remembering Amalek, the arch-enemy of our Israelite ancestors and the epitome of all our enemies through the ages. The implication is that though the Biblical Amalekites lived a long time
Two biblical texts for modern Israel’s guidance Read More »
Middle EastKerry to skip Israel on first Middle East trip (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will bypass Israel on his first official trip to the Middle East, U.S. officials said Tuesday as they announced a jam-packed itinerary through nine nations, including several in Europe. Kerry’s maiden voyage begins Sunday.
JNS news briefs: February 20, 2013 Read More »
InternationalDorothea Shefer-Vanson, The Balancing Game: A Child Between Two Worlds, A Society Approaching War, © 2013, ISBN 978-1-62212-846-4; 258 pages, available through Amazon, $16.50. By Donald H. Harrison Readers of San Diego Jewish World are familiar with author Dorothea Shefer-Vanson as a columnist based in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion. She writes about such
Novel explores an off-balance childhood Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Cynthia Citron BEVERLY HILLS, California — A tall man in a tightly-buttoned suit and a bowler hat, carrying a large black umbrella, stands on a ledge on the seventh floor of an apartment building. Behind him are seven arched windows from which a collection of weirdos pop from time to time like the
‘7 Stories deals with insane and the inane Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — Whenever I think of people I knew who dressed impeccably, I recall three of my favorite people. One was my maternal grandfather, a businessman who was firmly dedicated to religious observance, but who chose his clothing carefully and was proud of his collection of cufflinks, tie clips, and
Clothes make the man… and the woman Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Alan Muskovitz DETROIT –This week I delve into recent news stories that fall into the “you can’t make this stuff up” category. First, medical news out of London, where a man who lost his nose to skin cancer is having a new one grown in his arm using stem cells. Explaining the procedure is
‘You can’t make this stuff up…’ Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The Arab village of Beit Safafa is more than 400 years old. Over time it has grown from a few hundred residents as late as a century ago to 12,000 today, according to the locals. Nevertheless, it has tried to retain something of its old character and still elects
Highway would divide Israeli Arab village Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’ve had a few days rest from coalition negotiations. Media and political personalities have been busy with Prisoner X, i.e., Ben Zygier. For all that has cost Israel in embarrassment (due to a prisoner who committed suicide while he was supposed to be under 24-hour supervision two years
Israel’s political infighting and coalition building Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — It’s one thing to visit in a synagogue and talk with God about life and death, fate and fortune, mortality and miracles, cruelty and compassion. It’s another thing to share this conversation with a sweet old man who has experienced all of these things and could easily debate
Lou Dunst, a victim turned philanthropist Read More »
Jewish ReligionJewish groups ask for further review of Hagel before confirmation vote (JNS.org) Jewish groups are seconding the call of Senate Republicans for further review of defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel before a vote is held on his confirmation. A 58-40 Senate vote on Feb. 14 delayed a final yes or no vote on the former
JNS news briefs: February 18, 2013 Read More »
InternationalMy Mother’s Wars by Lillian Faderman, Beacon Press, 2013, ISBN 978-0-8070-50952-1; 243 pages, $25.95 By Donald H. Harrison This book is a cross between history and fiction; in it Lillian Faderman, well known for her writings on gay and lesbian subjects, examines the heterosexual life of her own single mother up to the time the
Warring with your heart and your conscience Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonAnnie’s Ghosts, by Steve Luxenberg, Hyperion Bks, 2009, New York, 401pgs. By David Strom SAN DIEGO — In April of 1995, Steve Luxenberg was shocked. His older sister Sashie telephoned and said, “You’re never going to believe this. Did you know that Mom had a sister?” For forty-three years of Steve’s life his mother, Beth,
Probing the family ‘attic’ for mental illness Read More »
Travel and Food