The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; St. Martin’s Press, 2015 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — I picked this book up in the local bookshop thinking it would make good holiday reading. It did, but it’s not exactly the sort of light reading one takes along to read on the beach. The tale it tells of France under German
World War II from a French girl’s perspective Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — The Framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted to create a national government to strengthen the unity of the disparate States so that foreign entities looking at us would see a united face – the United States. Diversity may supply the building blocks, but it is not diversity that makes
The Founding Fathers called it ‘faction’ Read More »
USA
JERUSALEM–Israel’s fifth president, Yitzhak Navon, died on Friday, Nov. 6, at the age of 94. He served as Israel’s president from 1978 to 1983. In New York, The World Jewish Congress issued a statement: “We extend our condolences to Yitzhak Navon’s widow, and to his children and grandchildren. His life story reflects the history of the
Yitzhak Navon, Israel’s fifth president Read More »
Middle East, Obituaries & memorials
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,” I believe this could be his mantra. The singer/songleader told me he believes that, “music has the power to bring people together and build interfaith, justice oriented, warm welcoming communities.” Recently appointed to a new commission, Voit is the
Marshall Voit, son of a rabbi, now a Jewish songleader Read More »
Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–It’s impossible to believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu didn’t know the views of Dr. Ran Baratz before nominating him as his next spokesman. Baratz lives in a settlement and has for a long time been publishing very right-wing views. It seems that Netanyahu may want Obama to know when they meet
Little expected from Obama- Netanyahu meeting Read More »
Middle East, USA
Story by Donald H. Harrison; photos by Michael Mantell SAN DIEGO – It was the kind of memorial service that the late Sheriff Bill Kolender would have enjoyed. There was lots of humor and plenty of the camaraderie that he was credited with fostering among law enforcement agencies. Civilians and uniformed officers from both
Humor, camaraderie mark Kolender’s memorial Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Michael Mantell, San Diego CountyAfter the Survivors perish, who will tell their stories? By Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan–Some time in the near future, the last known Holocaust survivor will pass away, and there will be no more people to tell the first-hand story of what happened in those dark days in Europe. When I asked two people recently
Never Again: Holocaust news for November 7, 2015 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Many Americans will be outraged that Israel is requesting a large increase in its annual military aid from the United States. As it stands, Israel is the largest recipient of American aid funding. Why should it currently receive $3+ billion, let alone $5 billion? First, there is
U.S. benefits from its military aid to Israel Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — As a teenager, growing up in Los Angeles, I was an active member of the Labor Zionist Youth Movement, Habonim. I was also a serious student of the violin. My dream was to unite those two passions by making aliya to the Jewish State and playing in the Israel
Israel Phil. Orchestra provided lifetime of memories Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsSAN DIEGO — We may think we know about the FBI. After all, many of us have watched such series on television as the X-Files; Bones; Sue Thomas, FB-Eye; Without a Trace; Numb3rs; Criminal Minds; White Collar; The Mentalist; and Quantico, and have viewed countless movies about the “G-Men.” Now there are even video games.
TV shows aside, how much do you know about the FBI? Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Being the Chosen People has its downside as well as upside. The benefit may be the self-confidence produced for a people who have chronically have been targets of discrimination, exile, or worse. The problems appear in its contribution to anti-Semitism among those who sneer at the concept, as well as
Israeli divisions make governing all the more difficult Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastReform Judaism umbrella passes transgender rights measure ORLANDO, Florida (JNS.org) The umbrella body of Reform Judaism in the U.S. passed a resolution to recognize the rights of transgender individuals on Thursday. The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) voted on the “Resolution on the Rights of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People” at its biennial conference in
American Jewish Report: November 6, 2015 Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA