By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California –They all look well in the photo. Under sunny skies and tight security in St. Petersburg, Russia, the leaders of several key nations gathered and discussed issues—mostly in the economic realm. On the glaringly clear and shockingly factual gassing and chemical genocide of Syrian adults and children by their […]
Syrian debate: Where’s the moral outrage? Read More »
International
Paula L. Freedman, My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, New York: Amulet Books, ISBN 978-1-4197-0806-0, 256 pages, $16.95. Ages: 10-14. * Avirama Golan, Little Naomi, Little Chick, illustrated by Raaya Karas, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, ISBN 978-0-8028-5427-8, 34 pages, $17. Ages: Preschooler By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Grandfather that I am,
The globalization of Jewish children’s literature Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — President Obama has asked for congressional authorization to conduct a limited military strike against Syria. He realizes that time is of the essence because the strike must be launched before the House Republicans shut down the government rather than increase the debt limit. Other members of the House
Humoring the headlines: September 6, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — A friend of mine in Israel told me the following story: Shortly after the Yom Kippur War in 1973 a young man went to enroll in a basic Judaism class in Israel. My friend asked him why he wanted to study the Torah. The young man, whose name was
Let’s not sacrifice our Isaacs Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States has not made the case that the national security interest of the United States requires the use of military force in Syria. Others have made the case for regime change, punishment, and deterrence against future use of non-conventional weapons by Syria, Iran or North Korea; and
U.S. objectives in Syria remain muddled Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
Editor’s Note: Coverage shall resume on the Monday following Rosh Hashanah Muslims riot on Temple Mount before Rosh Hashanah (JNS.org) Hours before Rosh Hashanah started in Israel, hundreds of Muslim worshippers threw rocks at police officers and Jewish visitors at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount on Wednesday morning, according to Israel Hayom. A large police force was
JNS news briefs: September 4, 2013 Read More »
InternationalNational News House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) announced their backing for President’s Obama to use military force against Syria in retaliation for using chemical weapons. Cantor said the U.S. should take the action to prevent further use of weapons of mass destruction such as sarin gas. The Senate Foreign
Jewish Citizen: GOP, Jewish organizations line up on Syria Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Morton A. Klein and Susan B. Tuchman NEW YORK — With the start of a new school year, there’s reason to be concerned: Anti-Semitism is a serious problem on some college campuses, causing Jewish students to feel threatened and even fear for their safety. Yet the U.S. government is not enforcing the law to protect
Office of Civil Rights abandons Jewish college students Read More »
USA
EL CAJON–Retiring following a 37-year multiple college career as an English and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) faculty member, Prof. Nancy Herzfeld-Pipkin answered unhesitatingly when asked at her Grossmont College retirement party what quality ESL instructors need most. “Compassion,” she declared. A portion of the ESL students at Grossmont College “are immigrants from all over the world, refugees,
Prof. Herzfeld-Pipkin tells what makes a good ESL teacher Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonSAN DIEGO — For the first time in its long and distinguished history, Beth Israel, San Diego’s largest synagogue, will offer live streaming of many of its High Holy Days services. Live streaming of these services will be available free to members and non-members, Jews and non-Jews. While especially beneficial for members who are ill,
Beth Israel to live stream its High Holy Day services Read More »
Jewish ReligionTEL AVIV (Press Releases)–New findings from an archaeological excavation led this winter by Dr. Erez Ben-Yosef of Tel Aviv University’s Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Near Eastern Cultures prove that copper mines in Israel thought to have been built by the ancient Egyptians in the 13th century BCE actually originated three centuries later,
Former UCSD student finds proof of Solomon’s Mines Read More »
Travel and FoodPope Francis conveys Rosh Hashanah wishes, speaks on Middle East and interfaith relations (JNS.org) In a meeting with global Jewish leaders at the Vatican, Pope Francis I wished Jews around the world a sweet and peaceful new year ahead of the Rosh Hashanah holiday. During the private informal meeting, attended by members of the World
JNS news briefs: September 3, 2013 Read More »
International
National News THE HOUSE DEBATE OVER SYRIA — U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., favors an American strike against Syria in retaliation against its use of chemical weapons on its own citizenry. “I’m a yes,” he was quoted as saying by NBC. Many other Jewish House members were more nuanced. U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) pronounced
The Jewish Citizen: The pending debate on Syria Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The dramatic forth and back of Barack Obama on Syria has provoked a great deal of commentary and speculation about what’s next. If words had power, their weight would have already pummeled Assad–or Obama–or both–into the dust. My own concerns are less with the unknown future, than with what the
What factors led to the Syria situation? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East