By Zack Pyzer JERUSALEM –On June 3rd, senior Israeli officials will hold two events in memory of a trio of teenagers who were abducted and murdered last summer by Hamas terrorists. Unity Day and the Jerusalem Unity Prize, organizers say, will promote tolerance and cooperation among different sectors of the Jewish people in Israel and in
Unity day, prize established in memory of 3 teens Read More »
Middle EastBy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — If one needs a reason to get on a trail – searching for chocolate is a better reason than most. In On the Chocolate Trail: A Delicious Adventure Connecting Jews, Religions, History, Travel, Rituals and Recipes to the Magic of Cacao, (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2013), Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz and
From the Jewish library: ‘On the Chocolate Trail’ Read More »
Jewish History, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — How important is Judaism for the Jews? We’ve long confused social science by being both an ethnic group (or tribe) and a religion. Among us are members of the tribe who deny religion, and converts to the religion who may have to wait a generation or two before being fully accepted
Ethnicity? Religion? Judaism is that — and more Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s possible that, for the first time in many years, there’s a credible alternative to Binyamin Netanyahu. No, it’s not Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Opposition. Though he did well in the last elections and is, by all accounts, a competent and decent man, he lacks that special quality
Kahlon well- positioned to succeed Netanyahu Read More »
Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Israel just celebrated its 67th birthday, according to the Hebrew calendar. What’s the prognosis for our nation and its people? By one announcement, Israelis are thriving. That report is the World Happiness Report, a measure of happiness published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Which countries are
Israel high on world happiness list Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — Much fuss has been made about the Israeli decision to block Blade Nzinmande, the South African minister for higher education, from visiting Bir Zeit University. It must be noted that this Communist Party leader supported the suspension of academic cooperation between Johannesburg University and Ben Gurion University, so this education
BDS campaign smudges South Africa’s rainbow Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – During consideration of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Susan Davis voted to let the Department of Defense (DOD) move forward in expanding financial protections for our men and women in uniform. Language in the NDAA would have blocked the DOD from extending those
Davis says vote will protect vets from loan sharks Read More »
San Diego County, USA
With this column we introduce Joe Spier, who loves to research and write about Jewish history. Based in Calgary, he is a frequent winter vacationer in San Diego. We thank Ernie Addleson for putting us in touch with him. By Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — The story of the modern exodus of “Beta Israel” the
Alaska Airlines and the Jews of Yemen Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USABy Abraham H. Foxman NEW YORK — As someone who has been critical about the sometimes overheated reaction to what is taking place regarding Jews on campus, I also believe it is vital to monitor the situation closely and to be able to reevaluate as things may change. I still believe that the vast
ADL chief: BDS fosters campus anti- Semitism Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s difficult to prove that the demonstration in Jerusalem last night was inspired by what has been happening in Baltimore in recent days, but it had too many similarities for us not to make the connection. A large number of Israelis of Ethiopian origin demonstrated in the centre of
Racism in Israel also on occasion boils over Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — This city’s Jewish Arts Festival is now in its 22nd year. At the helm is Todd Salovey, Associate Artistic Director of San Diego REP. I recently spoke with Salovey at his home. EGT: Mona Golabek: The Pianist of Willesden Lane, which won the Critic’s Circle Award for best one-person
Behind the scenes of the Jewish Arts Festival Read More »
Travel and Food