By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Hardly anything is more agreed among both Israelis and Palestinians than the condemnation of the Oslo Accords. They did not bring peace, or continue with the steps included in the agreements that were meant to bring the parties closer to peace. The criticism is valid, but invites a large HOWEVER.
Despite latter-day naysayers, Oslo Accords were valuable Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Stories of the Law: Narrative Discourse and the Construction of Authority in the Mishnah by Moshe Simon-Shoshan, Oxford University Press, New York; ISBN 978-0-19-935638-6 ©2013, $27.95, p. 287, including notes and bibliography By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California– The Romans, who destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE, subsequently expelled the Jews from Jerusalem after
The making of the Mishnah Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
LA JOLLA, California (Press Release) – The exhibition “To Me There’s No Other Choice” celebrates the life and honors the courageous deeds of Swedish diplomat and businessman Raoul Wallenberg. It will be on display from December 5, 2013 until February 28, 2014 along the second floor of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126
JCC announces exhibit on Raoul Wallenberg Read More »
Jewish HistorySAN DIEGO–A close friend in Florida, Amnon Markusfeld, forwarded to me this 6-minute tour of Israel. I think readers of San Diego Jewish World will enjoy it!
A 6-minute video tour of Israel Read More »
Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has appointed Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, a former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, and Ambassador to the European Union, and currently with the law firm of Covington & Burling, as his Special Adviser on Holocaust Issues. Ambassador Eizenstat held
Eizenstat named special advisor on Holocaust issues Read More »
USA
Lebanese shooter who killed IDF soldier detained (JNS.org) The Lebanese soldier who shot and killed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Master Sgt. Shlomi Cohen on Sunday was detained, according to Lebanese and Israeli authorities. “[Lebanese authorities] jailed him, interrogated him, and according to their claims, they will punish him,” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said. Lebanese
JNS news briefs: December 18, 2013 Read More »
International
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Two items in today’s news encourage me to repeat earlier, perhaps now less idle, speculation about the future of Avigdor Lieberman: (1) the Attorney General has decided not to accept the outgoing Chief Prosecutor’s recommendation to appeal Lieberman’s not guilty verdict that enabled him to resume his post as foreign
Will Israel become increasingly attached to Russia? Read More »
Middle EastSyrian civil war refugee receives pacemaker at Israeli hospital (JNS.org) A 4-year-old Syrian civil war refugee from the besieged city of Homs recently underwent what was likely life-saving surgery at the pediatric cardiology ward of the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel. The boy, Mohammed Hamudi, was born with reversed ventricles, a rare heart
JNS news briefs: December 17, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Several overseas friends have urged me to read and write about Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land. Shavit is a well known columnist for Ha’aretz, but the book is not the left of center all out screech that might be expected from the paper’s turn in recent years. According to the unusually long,
For Israelis, these books seem like old news Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO– There’s Still Time to Save on Taxes! Dear Money Maven, It’s almost the end of the year. I’m worried about taxes. Is there anything I can do now to cut down on my tax bill? Thank you. Sincerely, Nervous Nate Dear Nate, Yes, I have some ideas for you. Before
Money Maven: Pre-New Year Tax Savings Read More »
Sheryl Rowling, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Some years ago I began flogging the idea that policymakers and activists must be aware of problems that have no solutions. Israel had something to do with it. This is a country with more than its share of problems, bothering nervous Jews here and elsewhere, as well as others who want
Israelis have perfected the art of coping Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO―A federal judge declared that the NSA’s big data surveillance program is unconstitutional. In the holiday spirit, the judge issued his ruling as a Christmas jingle sung to the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” You better not phone. You better not tweet. Even when you’re alone
Humoring the Headlines: December 16, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireIDF soldier killed by Lebanese sniper fire (JNS.org) Israel Defense Forces Master Sgt. Shlomi Cohen, 31, was killed Sunday night by Lebanese sniper fire while he was on patrol near the Israel-Lebanon border. The Voice of Lebanon radio station reported that the shooter, a member of the Lebanese army identified as Hassan Ibrahim, fled his
JNS news briefs: December 16, 2013 Read More »
International
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson LONDON– This city has many delights to offer all year round, but London at Christmas has a special atmosphere. I’m not talking about the sledgehammer-like advertising campaigns to get people to buy, buy, buy, but rather about the decorations all over the city, mainly festive Christmas trees festooned with many-coloured lights, some
Viennese Jews well represented in London exhibition Read More »
Travel and Food