By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California – In Shemini, the Torah portion for April 6, 2013, we read about the death of Aaron’s two sons, who died from an accidental explosion in the Tabernacle. Aaron’s reaction is quite telling–despite the absence of scriptural detail from the narrator. As is often the case with biblical […]
Stunned agony when we lose our children Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The world is in tumoil. But is it any more so than usual? Perhaps yes. Young Jung Kim Un is threatening to use nuclear weapons against someone, maybe the US, possibly South Korea, or even Japan, or any of the countries of South-East Asia (which constitute the world’s
Something familiar about all these world troubles Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Cynthia Citron ENCINO, California — To anyone who only knew film critic Roger Ebert from his television persona, arguing with his long-time colleague Gene Siskel, you might characterize Ebert as “the grumpy one.” But when he died this week after a 10-year battle with cancer, the heartfelt tributes from his friends and fellow critics emphatically
‘Two thumbs up’ for Roger Ebert Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C– Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to “suspend unilateral action” against Israel for some indefinite period of time. It is, his spokesman says, to “give a sufficient chance for [US Secretary of State John] Kerry’s efforts to succeed.” By this, Abbas apparently means he will not make any additional
Abbas stirring up hate to stay in power Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Growing up in Chicago, Shabbat was not a day of prayer and rest, but for going to the movies. Every Saturday I trundled over to the neighborhood theatre and watched morning screenings of cartoons, capped off with a Flash Gordon episode. After lunch, I’d return for the double feature.
The Wandering Review: Ebert at the Jewish movies Read More »
Lawrence BaronBy Peter Huessy The United States is engaging in a major debate over the appropriate size of the Defense Department. At its heart are two issues. First, should we continue to reduce our military spending by roughly $947 billion over the next decade, as was agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011? Second,
Drastic defense cuts will undermine diplomacy Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The news reminds me of a Kingston Trio ballad that begins with They’re rioting in Africa, They’re starving in Spain. There’s hurricanes in Florida, And Texas needs rain The whole world is festering With unhappy souls. Take your pick for what is most festering this week: The North Korean threat
Troubles, troubles everywhere–but it could be worse Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastReported compromise permits women to say Kaddish at Kotel (JNS.org) A compromise agreement has reportedly been reached to allow women to say the Kaddish mourners’ prayer at the Western Wall, although they will still be barred from brandishing traditionally male external religious symbols such as prayer shawls. Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz said he had
JNS news briefs: April 5, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Believe it or not, I watch a lot of cooking shows. (No, I don’t cook much, but I do enjoy eating!) One of the most common ingredients chefs use is “kosher salt.” I never fail to be amused when they use it to season pork! Salt is kosher
‘Kosher’ a cool word in the vernacular Read More »
Jewish ReligionNorway’s FM angered over PA terrorism pay (JNS.org) Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed anger at the Palestinian Authority during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, following the discovery that the PA was using Norwegian and British aid money to pay the salaries of convicted Palestinian terrorists serving time in Israeli jails, Israel Hayom
JNS news briefs: April 4, 2013 Read More »
InternationalTEL AVIV (Press Release) — The creation of new blood vessels in the body, called “angiogenesis,” is usually discussed in connection with healing wounds and tumors. But it’s also an ongoing process in the female reproductive tract, where the growth and breaking of blood vessels is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. But abnormal growth
Researchers make gains against menstrual complications Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
Helga’s Diary by Helga Weiss, W.W. Norton & Co. (c) 2013, ISBN 978-0-393-07797-1; 248 pages including glossary, post-diary interview and color plates of her drawings; $24.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — This is a hybrid book, part diary, part reconstruction, part editor’s explanations. When the author was about 12 years old she was
‘Helga’s Diary’ shows value of bravado Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Not much is new under the Middle Eastern sun. One or another of the Gazan gangs began shooting rockets toward Israel about the time of the visit to Israel and Palestine (not the Gazan portion) of Barack Obama. So far, there are more reports of injury and damage from rockets that didn’t
In these times, it’s well to remember Ecclesiastes Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastJERUSALEM (Press Release)– The same factor in our immune system that is instrumental in enabling us to fight off severe and dangerous inflammatory ailments is also a player in doing the opposite at a later stage, causing the suppression of our immune response. Why and how this happens and what can be done to mediate
Ally in fight against diseases can turn into an enemy Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education