By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The walls around the ghettos in the Diaspora were built to keep Jews inside and away from the surrounding population, even though in some cases the isolation may have made it easier to remain true to the faith of Judaism and to the Jewish way of life. The walls
Israel’s refugee policy ignores Jewish ideals Read More »
Middle EastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Kim Davis is the Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses because of her religious objection to same-sex marriage. What Jewish reference did her attorney, Mathew Staver, make when speaking about this case? A. “Would the Supreme Court tell a rabbi to marry a
Jewish Trivia: County Clerk Kim Davis Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireIDF’s new mortar warning system soon to be operational (JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday that its new tactical radar system, which aims to warn residents of communities along the Israel-Gaza border of incoming mortar fire, will become fully operational in October. While the IDF’s Color Red alert warns of incoming rocket fire and
Jewish news briefs: September 7, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Becky Guttin is a diminutive woman with a large presence. She is a whirlwind of energy and creativity who sees art where others might not. She is known for collecting all kinds of discarded objects and giving them new life. She works daily in her studio on Miramar Road. She
Art from trash on display in Barrio Logan Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego CountyBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson LONDON, England — As we all know, London has a lot to offer in the way of culture, amusement, entertainment and delights of all kinds. However, there is a very big “but” to enjoying London, and my latest visit has brought this into relief. So, I have made a series of notes to
Things not to do in merry old England Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, InternationalBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, has announced he will retire from that position on March 5, 2017, which with accumulated vacation days, will conclude his tenure officially on July 31, 2017. In all, he will have served San Diego’s oldest Conservative congregation for 29
Rosenthal to retire as Tifereth Israel’s rabbi Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Michael Mantell, San Diego CountyBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — “Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must,” counseled Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. But what’s with the “must”, JW? When “must” we “endure”? By the time you finish this column, you’ll realize you don’t need to ever endure life, but rather you can find enjoyment in
Don’t endure life, enjoy it Read More »
Michael Mantell, USABy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Those of us familiar with the word “shtetl” often conjure up mental images of a small town in Eastern Europe; the world of Tevye fiddling on the edge of his roof. These memories were handed down by our forebears along with faded pictures of grimy houses and dusty
From the Jewish library: ‘Shtetl’ Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Although the numbers are far from exact, the extent and the immediate causes of continued mass migration are well known. They are conflict/chaos in a number of Muslim countries, violence of a different kind along the routes the supply illegal drugs to the US, and poverty throughout Africa. One picture of a
Western advances fuel migrant crises Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky
SAN DIEGO (SDONA)–After decades of delays, Jonas Salk Elementary School in Mira Mesa will open its doors to students for the first time Tuesday as the San Diego Unified School District begins its new academic year. The $24 million school is named after Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the first successful polio vaccine and later
School named for Jonas Salk to open Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Back in April, I wrote a column for this online newspaper that previewed a new cli-fi movie from an independent producer in Hollywood that had backers like Sir Richard Branson and the World Bank behind it: Chloe and Theo. The co-star was Theo Ikummaqs, an Inuit man from Canada who
Climate comedy for teens may do better on TV Read More »
Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison CARLSBAD, California – Within a matter of months, most probably before the end of the 2015 calendar year, the San Diego County Water Authority will receive 50 million gallons of fresh water each day from the new $1 billion Carlsbad Desalination Plant and pipeline that was financed by Poseidon Water
Largest sea- to- fresh water plant in U.S. coming on line Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA