By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One cannot help but be impressed with the focus of the Obama administration with the Middle East, despite expectations that the region would be left to its own miserable self. Both U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama have spent time with the Saban Forum, trying again […]
Smiles mask disappointment in Kerry talks Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
SAN DIEGO — Here is some news on the international front. President Shimon Peres of Israel paid this tribute to the late Nelson Mandela, who died Dec. 5 at age 95. “The world lost a great leader who changed the course of history. On behalf of the citizens of Israel we mourn alongside the nations
The Jewish Citizen: December 7, 2013 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California–As we left the Stagehouse Theatre of Grossmont College on Saturday, Dec. 7, my grandson Shor, 12, said apologetically that he really didn’t care for Follow Me, a production that the Theatre Arts Department had taken on tour to numerous elementary schools in San Diego County. According to
‘Follow Me’ fun for younger and older audiences Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Did Joseph really forgive his brothers? The biblical text strongly indicates that he did, one notable 18th century scholar, Hayim Ibn Attar (Ohr HaHayyim) argues that he didn’t. He explains that based upon Noahide law, anyone who had kidnapped or robbed is guilty of the death
Nelson Mandela: a modern day Joseph Read More »
Travel and Food
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –President Obama may not have said anything new but the fact that tonight (Saturday) he said it to the Israeli public direct is significant. I understand it as a way of bypassing the many politicians with their own often warped agendas and the many pundits who have their own twisted
Obama makes direct broadcast to Israelis Read More »
USA
By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — “It’s a very Jewish Christmas show, or a very Christmasy Hanukkah show,” reports Omri Schein, describing “Humbug”, North Coast Repertory’s holiday musical. The show was co-written by Schein and one of San Diego’s favorites, Phil Johnson. If those names jingle bells, perhaps you’ll recall the talented pair from
A ‘very Jewish Christmas’ show? Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–What we can call the Jewish itch is the aspiration for better and more. It is not present in all Jews. We also have those who accept the status quo in the public condition or their personal situation, without question or ambition. The aspiration for better and more is also not exclusive
Jewish aspirations: strive harder, accomplish more Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO — Jewish items of local, national and international interest SAN DIEGO — Laurie Black, former San Diego port commissioner and one time chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Lynn Schenk, will host a kickoff fundraising event at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, for the mayoral campaign of City Councilman David Alvarez, a
The Jewish Citizen: December 6, 2013 Read More »
International
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO―Benjamin Netanyahu had an audience with Pope Francis this week and gave him an autographed copy of his father’s book on the Spanish Inquisition. This has sparked a new fad among world leaders. The Japanese Prime Minister sent Present Obama John Hersey’s Hiroshima. The Dalai Lama brought a copy of his
Humoring the headlines: December 6, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Devarim hayotze min halev nichnasim lalev. Attitudes affect and infect others for good and for bad, both consciously and subconsciously, as the following true story illustrates: A man and his elderly father once fell into a dispute. They were very poor and lived in a shack with no
Behavior can be contagious Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, in the context of the P5+1/Iran negotiations I wrote: We’re familiar with the rules for buying a rug in the souk. If you want the rug more than he wants the deal, you will overpay; if he wants the deal more than you want the rug, you
Israel in the ‘American bazaar’ Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
Israeli-Palestinian conflict talks won’t lead to deal, 87.5% of Israelis say in poll (JNS.org) A vast majority of Israeli Jews—87.5 percent—believe the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiations will not lead to a peace agreement, according to a new Israel Hayom poll that coincided with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s latest visit to the region. The
JNS news briefs: December 6, 2013 Read More »
International
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — On Tuesday I had one of my Community Jewish High classes participate in a provocative discussion. We began by reading the first chapter of the Joseph story from the Torah. In Genesis 28 we learn that Joseph “tattled” on his brothers, shared with them his dreams of one
Judah taught us how to reconcile Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO–Jeff Silberman, chair of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that Marjory Kaplan, the Foundation’s president and CEO, will retire in 2015, and that a search for her replacement will be launched. Here is the text of his announcement: “After nearly 20 successful years at the Jewish Community Foundation,
Marjory Kaplan to retire as Jewish Community Foundation CEO Read More »
San Diego County