By Rabbi Ben Kamin TEL AVIV—My older daughter Sari and I were walking along a side street here, headed for the city’s lustrous promenade of towering hotels, swanky eateries, bike rental stands, and public docks. The corner road, buttressed between two busy boulevards, momentarily softened the big city din of construction drills, emergency sirens, […]
Hectic life and stillness of death in Israel Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — For those who enjoy the cut and thrust of electoral politics, this is the season to unlimber your Hebrew dictionaries and connect with the web page of Israeli media (www.iba.org.il) There are no less than three simultaneous performances of the cardinal principle, “Do unto others,” along with the lucious taste
Wrestling Israeli politicians find themselves on bottom Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Here’re more indications that the greatest danger to the future of the Jewish people, and thus to Judaism, may come from within. What follows are hints of the ominous evidence I gleaned on the first of a two-day conference in Jerusalem under the title, “New Understandings of Gender, Love
Demographics point to a Haredi majority among Israeli Jews Read More »
Middle EastHawaii’s Jewish lieutenant governor to replace senator known for pro-Israel record (JNS.org) Brian Schatz, the Jewish lieutenant governor of Hawaii, will rise to the rank of U.S. senator to replace the late Daniel Inouye, who was known for a strong pro-Israel record. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday announced the appointment of Schatz,
JNS briefs: December 27, 2012 Read More »
InternationalStruggling Over Israel’s Soul byElazar Stern, Gefen, Jerusalem, New York; ISBN 978-965-229-576-7 ©2012, $18.00, p. 373, plus notes and indices. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — The struggle for Israel’s soul is hardly new. From without, the Hellenists fought for it from the time of Alexander the Great’s conquest of Israel until their defeat
Israeli general’s social commentary is an eye opener Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdDBy Evelyn Gordon If there were a prize for the Arab country that has done most to promote Arab-Israeli peace recently, I’d seriously consider nominating Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, that’s a counterintuitive choice: Riyadh doesn’t even recognize Israel and shows no signs of doing so anytime soon; moreover, it finances the spread of extremist
Glimmer of recognition of Israel’s problems in Saudi papers Read More »
Middle EastTerror infrastructure dismantled in Ramallah (JNS.org) The Israel Security Agency, in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces, uncovered infrastructure of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization in the Ramallah area, Israel Hayom reported. The cell allegedly planned on abducting Israelis, according to documents recently released for publication. Detained members from the
JNS news briefs: December 26, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –It was the last session of the course in which I was utilizing the book of Genesis as a text for the study of leadership. Since it was the final session, I decided that I would structure the discussion in a very different manner. I began by reminding
Blessing each other as Jacob did his sons Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — One of the hats I wear is that of the chairperson for the Jewish Film Festival shown in conjunction with the annual Association for Jewish Studies Conference which met last week in Chicago. This provided me with the opportunity to share with my colleagues Numbered, an emotionally engaging and
The Wandering Review: ‘Numbered’ Read More »
Lawrence BaronBy Robert Gluck/JNS.org Steven Spielberg’s films, including his latest, “Lincoln,” continue to reflect his Jewish upbringing. Like most movies, the script of the legendary director’s life and career begins with some adversity—he was initially ashamed of his religious identity. Born in Ohio to a Jewish family, Spielberg’s mother, Leah Adler, was a restaurateur and concert
Spielberg’s Jewish identity impacts his movies Read More »
Travel and FoodObama considers others for defense secretary after Hagel controversy (JNS.org) U.S. President Barack Obama is considering several other candidates for the post of defense secretary after his administration received heavy criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike for considering former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel for the role, National Journal reported. Hagel currently chairs the Atlantic Council think
JNS news briefs: December 25, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Twice in recent days I’ve run afoul of American parochialism. You’ve already read more than enough about my encounter with gun control enthusiasts. The second is with Reform and Conservative Jews, brought about by an article in the New York Times that bemoans the inability of Reform and Conservative women
Non-Orthodox Jews should not expect U.S. customs in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—It’s hard to believe that the San Diego Opera will be beginning its 48th International season in January the 26th to be exact. As a long time opera aficionado, I couldn’t be happier and for several reasons not the least being the choices Artistic Director Ian Campbell has made for
San Diego Opera announces exciting 2013 season Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — A Chabad friend of mine sent me the following email that I would like to comment on. It comes from the Lubavitch Headquarters regarding how the Lubavitcher (Chabad) Hasidim must conduct themselves on Christmas Eve. Many Jews and Christians may find this custom interesting but very
Letting go of ancient, prejudicial customs Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi