By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Bilam was traveling with his donkey, when for no apparent reason, the donkey stopped in its tracks. Biliam started to beat the donkey, when miraculously, the donkey spoke and said to Bilam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden since you first started until now? […]
Lessons to be learned from donkeys and horses Read More »
Jewish Religion
Rohani linked to council responsible for Argentina Jewish center bombing (JNS.org) Iran president-elect Hassan Rohani has been linked to a secretive government council responsible for a global assassination campaign against Iran’s enemies in the 1990s that included the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that killed 85 people, the Washington
JNS news briefs: June 21, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Anyone following responses to my columns in the Internet blog section of the Jerusalem Post, or looking over my shoulder as I read email, should perceive the anger and cynicism of those fed up with US efforts to support Israel and other places in the Middle East. Sorry, folks, you’re stuck with
Others resent U.S., with or without Israel Read More »
Travel and FoodDesignate Hezbollah as a terrorist group, Netanyahu tells hesitant EU countries (JNS.org) While the hesitation of countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic and Italy has prevented a consensus among the 27-member European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that it is “hard to see how
JNS news briefs: June 20, 2013 Read More »
International
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — Like so many folks, I loved James Gandolfini. With his bulk and not-so-leading-man looks, he reassured those of us men who are, well, not necessarily debonair yet think of ourselves as creative and worthwhile. But I worried about him—exactly because his agility as an artist was as large
Gandolfini’s death should warn the obese Read More »
Travel and Food
EL CAJON, California (Press Release) – What is the return on investment for an Associate degree or a certificate of completion from one of California’s community colleges? The public can learn the answer to that question for 179 different programs offered at any of California’s 112 community colleges by visiting a new website,
So, how much is an Associate’s degree worth? Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES– How do you get an overweight, out-of-shape Jewish lady “of a certain age” to join a flamenco class? You nag. You noodge. You kvetch. You promise her ice cream. Or you take her to see Stephen Sachs’ new play Heart Song at the Fountain. Sachs, the Fountain Theatre’s co-founder
Play promotes the joy of flamenco Read More »
Cynthia CitronIsrael apprehends alleged killers of cabinet minister’s nephew (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces apprehended three Palestinian Authority security officers who allegedly killed an Israeli near Nablus in 2011, Israeli officials said on Wednesday. The arrests, which were made in May but embargoed until Tuesday, were carried out with the help of the
JNS news briefs: June 19, 2013 Read More »
International
SAN DIEGO — Our Jewish-interest license plate maven, Melanie Rubin, has done it again, finding a famous toast “to life” spelled unusually but nevertheless one which we fervently hope will apply to all the good people in this world, whatever their religion, race, national origin, gender, sexual identity, political party — or what have you.
Jewish-interest license plate: ‘LeChyim’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin
Lee Mandel, Moryak: A Novel of the Russian Revolution, Glagoslav Publications, ISBN 978-17-826704-6-9, 398 pages, No cover price listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — It is a good thing that this book is labeled as a novel in its sub-title. Otherwise, in this age of public disclosures about government machinations and spying,
‘Moryak’ challenge: separate fact from fiction Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — Ugaritic. Sumerian. Akkadian. Hittite. These are words that I never heard in all the years of my traditional Jewish education. They are the names of four important cultures and languages in the Ancient Near East. All of these cultures were contemporaneous with the stories of the Bible
Torah provides historic concept for Judaism’s insights Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American people often prove to be more sophisticated about themselves, their rights, and their government than they get credit for. Even if they can’t enumerate the clauses, most people know the Bill of Rights is designed to restrict the government’s ability to curb their speech or religious practice;
Poll shows support for government spying Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Temple Emanu-El, a Reform Jewish synagogue, welcomes Rabbi Devorah Marcus as congregational rabbi beginning July 1. Marcus comes to San Diego from Temple Beth-El in Great Neck, New York, where she served as associate rabbi for five years. At Temple Beth-El, she worked extensively with young people and families, developing
Rabbi Devorah Marcus takes helm at Temple Emanu-El Read More »
San Diego County
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– San Diego Jewish Academy students and staff have deployed to the tornado-devastated community of Moore, Oklahoma to do volunteer work. “Several students came to me asking what they could do to make a real and meaningful difference,” said Alan Rusonik, SDJA’s Director of Judaic Studies. “The practice of Tikkun Olam
SDJA contingent providing tornado relief in Oklahoma Read More »
USA