By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –Twenty-four years ago, almost to the day, in 1988, I stood in a large hall in Algeria and saw Yasir Arafat declare the independence of a Palestinian state. And that was forty-one years, almost to the day, after the UN offered a Palestinian state in 1947. Twelve years ago Israel […]
The real meaning of Palestine’s ‘statehood’ Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — There is a famous legend about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (135-170 C.E.) who once expressed a disparaging opinion about the Roman Empire and its cultural depravity. Afterwards, the Roman authorities decided to have him arrested for disrespecting the Empire. Rabbi Shimon and his son soon hid
A tale of two caves Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — A biblical story tells of a prophet-for-hire name Balaam. The professional seer was engaged by a regional king, Balak, who was anxious about the approaching Israelite nation that had been freed from Egypt. Balaam was paid a sizable amount of silver and engaged to climb up, observe the
Here’s some observation material for Palestine Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In New York, there was a fascinating news story the other day. On Nov. 29th, 2012, nobody got murdered or mugged in the streets of New York. New York newspapers said this was very unusual. Now, Chicago is an altogether different kind of town. Crime is
Who was Jacob really fighting in his dream? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — When faced with a conflict with someone else, people often do not know how to proceed. Having a method to deal with problems can be helpful. Whether there is a problem at work with an employee or a problem at home with spouse or a child, taking one
Three approaches to solving problems Read More »
Natasha Josefowitz, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Politics is a trait of advanced civilization. It allows dispute on the way to voting or some other way of deciding. Politics aspires to nonviolent resolutions of disagreements about who should be a leader, or what should be public policy. Politics is not always pretty or admirable. Sometimes it reaches a level
Coping is a required skill in Middle Eastern politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael slams Abbas for ‘poisonous, hate-driven’ UN speech (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Hours after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, garnering overwhelming support for his bid to gain nonmember observer state status, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot back, saying Abbas’s remarks were “not the words of
JNS news briefs: November 30, 2012 Read More »
International
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C –Before a radio interview this week, the host sent a list of questions that might arise. The answer to an extraordinary number of them was, “Because they could.” Because bad actors were reasonably sure no one (read: United States) would protest and even more sure no one would stop them.
Israel applies logic to Middle East options Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — My grandmother had a deep-seated distrust of non-Jews. Given her childhood, this was understandable. My grandmother grew up in Russia during a time of turmoil, ferment, and rabid anti-Semitism. She told me of the pogroms she and her family survived, and of the Cossacks beating her younger brother.
Living among gentiles — and enjoying it! Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO –Yaakov dwelt for years with the wicked Lavan. Nevertheless, he did not diminish his stringent mitzvah observance (vis. Rashi: Im Lavan garti, v;taryag mitzvos shamarti). A mitzvah is a precious gift for us to cherish always, wherever we are, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, as the following true story
Serving good kosher food after treif Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO — Like it or not, we all have a mortal time clock ticking somewhere in our bodies. For most it’s located in or around the heart. In playwright Marisa Wegrzny thought provoking but off the wall dark comedy “Hickorydickory”, the Wicker Family of ‘Wicker’s Watch & Clock Repair shop in
‘Hickorydickory’ is a dark, timely comedy Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The tumultuous events of the Middle East may continue to reverberate from the insecurity and tribal impulses of men addicted with power and politics. But on the ground, and too often in the earth, remain the persons who actually settle these spiraling bursts of biblical conflict and apocalyptic
Let us preserve the children of the Middle East Read More »
Middle East
By Elisa Greenberg LA JOLLA, California –This December, I have the privilege of playing Yentl in J*Company’s production of Yentl. It is the story of a Jewish girl and her thirst for knowledge, despite the fact that she lives in a society where women’s roles were confined to mothers and wives. Yentl disguises herself as
My Yentl Experience Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — If we Jews would like to show our appreciation to those countries that sided with Israel on Thursday, Nov. 29, in the United Nations General Assembly vote on extending non-member state status to Palestine, we can do so by adjusting our travel plans. When you are planning a vacation,
U.N. vote on Palestine should guide Jews’ travel plans Read More »
Donald H. Harrison