By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–In the almost sixty years that I’ve been involved with Israel I’ve observed the conscious or unconscious collusion between Israel’s secular majority and its Orthodox, now growing, minority. It seems that the former believe that Orthodoxy is the only authentic manifestation of the Jewish religion, but having given up religion they
Reform’s weak status in Israel Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The masses respond to heroes. No surprise that politicians participate in the celebration. Either it’s because they, too, believe, or they see the gain or loss of votes if they go along with, ignore, or express doubts to the crowd. It goes back to the gods of the Greeks and other pagans,
In U.S. Pollard is a traitor; in Israel he’s a hero Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Dane Chapin SAN DIEGO — Following is a speech we wish President Obama had given on Nov. 14, the day after the Paris massacre: Last night, 129 people were savagely and summarily executed on the streets of Paris. Hundreds more were injured, many will be maimed for life. Before I discuss how the United States of
The speech he wishes Obama gave Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– Men’s Club members assembled at 7 a.m. in the kosher kitchen of Tifereth Israel Synagogue and, to the theme of “batter up,” the team began preparing pancakes–some with blueberries and bananas; others with chocolate chips, and still more old fashioned and plain. Mixing their batter thoroughly to eliminate any globs or
Men’s Club’s pancakes fuel Torah students Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — Fifty-two years ago, Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, 46, was slain while riding in a motorcade in Dealey Plaza, Dallas. Unlike today’s ongoing televised carnage, this was a singular, searing, shockingly unexpected event. Bad enough on its own, it lay the bloody groundwork for the terrifying world
Shots in Dealey Plaza began anguish of the 60’s Read More »
USAThe Castles and the Crown, Spain 1451-1555, by Townsend Miller, Published by Coward-McCann, Inc., 1953 By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — I first read this book several decades ago and since have read it twice more finishing my third reading of it in this last week. It was as fresh and as exciting a tale
From the Jewish library: ‘The Castles and the Crown’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, InternationalBy Laurie Baron MARGATE, New Jersey — Foreign observers have been surprised by the ferocity of the French government’s response to the terrorist attack on Paris. ISIS should have anticipated this is what would happen if it threatened the French while they were eating and drinking at cafes, attending concerts, or watching soccer. After all,
Humoring the headlines: Nov. 21, 2015 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Middle East
Together We Can Do More: The Leon Williams Story by Lynne Carrier; 2015; Lynne Carrier and Montezuma Publishing; ISBN 978-0-7442-3808-2; 223 pages including notes and index. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This biography of Leon Williams, who was the first African-American to serve on the San Diego City Council and scored another such
Leon Williams biography a lesson in civil government Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego CountyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This Middle East is new. It’s much different from a decade ago, and even more so when compared to years earlier. It may not look like the dream and slogans made popular by Shimon Peres and Barack Obama. They can quarrel who owns the label. Both have urged economic, social, and political
It’s not Shimon’s nor Barack’s ‘New Middle East’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Kenneth Bandler NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) denounced the American Anthropological Association (AAA) for supporting a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. The boycott resolution was adopted by a vote of 1,040 to 136 at the group’s annual meeting in Denver. “The AAA’s mission is ‘advancing knowledge and solving human problems,’”
AJC denounces boycotts, proposals to register Muslims Read More »
Middle East, USASAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has earned a coveted 4-star rating for the eighth consecutive year from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator which highlights the work of efficient, ethical and open charities. JFS received Charity Navigator’s top rating by demonstrating sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability
Another 4-Star rating for Jewish Family Service Read More »
San Diego County
By Jacob Gardenswartz PHILADELPHIA –For most of my life, I found the idea of “inspiration” to be nice but quixotic; it was something that happened to other people, artist or musicians maybe, but not to me. To students my age who spoke about how they were inspired to do X or Y, I gave a
Diller awards program inspires young Jewish leaders Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA