NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) announced that Dr. Shamma Friedman, Benjamin and Minna Reeves Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, will receive the 2014 Israel Prize at a ceremony to take place on Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israeli Independence Day), which falls on May 6. The Israel Prize is Israel’s highest honor, awarded
Israel Prize for Talmudic scholar Shamma Friedman Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM–As the tallest structure in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Tower of David is a famous and familiar symbol to residents and tourists who pass through Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate. The ancient citadel compound contains at least 2,000 years’ worth of history dating back to the First Temple period. But the symbolic
Italians help Israel protect historic sites Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The Annual Heart & Soul Gala of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) will take place on Sunday, March 9, starting at 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. This year’s theme, Believe in Love, celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of the 2014 Mitzvah Award Honorees Carol and Rick Kornfeld
JFS gala to honor philanthropists, hear Matisyahu Read More »
San Diego County
By Edmon J. Rodman/JNS.org LOS ANGELES—“Global Citizen: The Architecture of Moshe Safdie,” on display at Los Angeles’s Skirball Cultural Center through March 2, lets the light shine in on the famed Israeli-Canadian architect’s work around the world. Through architectural models, photos, and renderings, the retrospective reveals how Safdie, who was born in Haifa in 1938
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Travel and Food
By Jeffrey F. Barken/JNS.org Past the Gaza Strip, toward the rocket-battered city of Sderot, a new train now connects isolated Negev communities to the larger Israeli population centers. Not surprisingly, the Sderot line also opens the gates to increased tourism in that region. For many people in Sderot, the new rocket-proof train station, which
New train opens Negev to tourism Read More »
Travel and Food
By Alan H. Gill/JNS.org When the economic crisis hit Bulgaria in 2011, Yana—a Jewish mother of three—was one of the first casualties. She lost her job as an optician and suddenly her family had to survive on her husband’s meager salary of $500 a month. Bills pilled up quickly, and soon they were $8,000 in
Don’t forget Jewish poverty in Europe Read More »
InternationalHolocaust awareness program at Auschwitz museum launches in Arabic and Farsi (JNS.org) The Auschwitz museum, which is located at the site of the former Nazi death camp in Poland, says it has launched an online program on Holocaust awareness in the Arabic and Farsi languages. The museum says it gets very few visitors from the
JNS news briefs: January 21, 2014 Read More »
InternationalEditor’s Note: Following story is reprinted from the Jan. 20 online edition of the San Diego Reader Jewish center canceled singer’s show Eyal Golan suspected of sex with minor By Don Bauder Jewish media such as the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Telegraphic Agency are reporting that San Diego’s Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center canceled a
JCC cancels Eyal Golan’s show, Reader reports Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — My column in the Toronto Star last Monday suggested that Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is proof that you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. His speech at the special session of the Knesset later that day illustrated it. The probably pre-planned heckling and subsequently staged
Behind closed doors, Harper can aid Mideast peace Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)… Saying the Economist “cannot repair the damage of publishing an anti-Semitic image with only half-measures,” the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the editors to issue a full-throated apology for an editorial cartoon depicting President Obama as hindered in his efforts to reach an agreement with Iran by the machinations of
Economist should issue ‘full throated apology’ — ADL Read More »
Middle East
A New Psalm: A Guide to Psalms as Literature by Rabbi Benjamin Segal; Gefen Publishing House (2013); ISBN-10: 965229618X; Price: $31.29 (on Amazon). By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Benjamin Segal’s new commentary, A New Psalm: The Psalms as Literature is an excellent medley of numerous thoughts that Judaic commentaries have expressed on the Psalms
Understanding the Psalms as literature Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Donald H. Harrison AGOURA HILLS, California — For many years, Shlomo “Momo” Lifshitz was the travel entrepreneur who tried to greet each one of the 55,000 “Operation Birthright” participants that his company, Oranim, took responsibility for showing around during their 10-day visits to Israel. “Welcome home!” he would enthusiastically say in greeting to each
Travel: Not just a tour, but an education, in Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Travel and FoodJERUSALEM (Press Release)– American Jewish Committee (AJC) Executive Director David Harris lauded Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for delivering a memorable speech before the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. “Prime Minister Harper has conveyed with exceptional clarity the moral grounding of Canada’s consistent support for Israel,” said Harris, who will see the Canadian leader at an event
AJC lauds Harper’s Knesset speech Read More »
Travel and Food
By Sean Savage/JNS.org BOSTON — With the Middle East in turmoil, Europe moving backwards, and the United States fatigued from years of war and recession, Canada has emerged as a staunch supporter of Israel. At a time when Israel is routinely singled out for condemnation, Canada has been at the forefront of defending Israel and
Is Stephen Harper-led Canada Israel’s new best friend? Read More »
Middle East