By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —Simchat Torah is a relative latecomer to Judaism. Historically, the first mention of Simchat Torah is found in the 13th century work known as the Zohar, which is a mystical commentary on the Bible.[1] Sometime in the 9th century, European communities would begin reading Genesis immediately after […]
Why and when we celebrated Simchat Torah Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—Playwright Davis Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Fuddy Meers and Kimberly Akimbo was born and grew up in South Boston many moons after I left Massachusetts to move to San Diego. How eerie now for me now to see his latest Good People that is set in South Boston bringing back memories of
‘Good People’ of South Boston Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastSo, what does it mean to be Jewish? Andrew Lustig, a student at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, performs his poem explaining what it means to him. Have a look, and a listen!
What does it mean to be Jewish? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Paul Foer/JNS.org The 30-something businessman was just finishing lunch when a text message came to his fancy device in his suit pocket. “Dear Mark, I am sorry but I’m just not ready for a relationship right now. I hope you find everything you are looking for. —Nancy” Ouch. Mark slapped his forehead and
E-dating: utility or futility? Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Jeffrey F. Barken/JNS.org In May of 1988, Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer visited Israel to sign the historic Maryland-Israel Exchange agreement. The document listed financial incentives authorizing and supporting significant future collaborations between Israeli and American companies, benefiting both economies. Today, the Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC), the group responsible for organizing Schaefer’s initial visit,
Maryland’s model for U.S.-Israel economic alliances Read More »
USASecurity up at French Jewish sites after blank bullets fired at synagogue near Paris (JNS.org) France is boosting security at Jewish religious sites after blank bullets were fired on a synagogue west of Paris, Israel Hayom. French President Francois Hollande met Oct. 7 with leaders of the country’s Jewish community, and pledged to fight extremism
JNS news briefs: October 7, 2012 Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Mati Tuchfeld/Israel Hayom/JNS.org With the backdrop of the possibility of early elections in Israel, unprecedented tension has been reported in the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Netanyahu on Oct. 3 accused Barak of “working to undermine” him and straying from official government policy, telling his close associates
Tension between Netanyahu and Barak Read More »
Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Here are the endorsements of the San Diego Jewish World for local offices now being contested in San Diego County. Our publication focuses on open seats and upon those several offices where the challenger seems preferable to the incumbent. Comments, rebuttals, congratulations, and readers’ political commentary (so long as it is
SDJW makes bipartisan endorsements in local races Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Sherwin Pomerantz JERUSALEM –It is always amazing to me that the depth of the Arab world’s unhappiness with our presence in this part of the world makes it impossible for them to recognize the benefits that some Arab governments have received as a direct result of our being here. A case in point is
The Israel benefit Arab neighbors don’t talk about Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –This is as close as you’ll see to a mea culpa. Perhaps I misblogged when I let my cynicism about things American get the better of me, and chided the incident in an Eilat hotel where an American went postal, grabbed a gun from a security guard, killed one, barricaded himself
Columnist admits rushing to judgment in Eilat shooting Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Carol Davis SAN DIEGO— Broadway/San Diego is launching a 25-city tour of the revival of Jekyll & Hyde that is expected make its way to Broadway where it will open in April at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. A pre- tour preview in San Diego garnered yet another standing ovation from opening night audiences. This
If you treasure your hearing, hide from this ‘Jekyll’ Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2011, Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), failed to win U.N. acceptance of Palestine as an independent state1. This year, he lowered the bar to upgraded status within the U.N. In the intervening year, Palestinian finances have collapsed, Palestinians have taken to the street to denounce
U.S. should cease its paramilitary aide to Palestinians Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas plans to seek UN recognition as a nonmember observer state this fall. His formal request to the UN General Assembly probably won’t be submitted until after the U.S. elections. But given how many parties may need to be lobbied, Washington should
The Iranian currency, the rial, is collapsing, and it is taking the Iranian economy with it. Iranian citizens are hungry for a normal life. But the Iranian regime doesn’t care—it will sacrifice anyone on the altar of the nuclear program, writes Boaz Bismuth. Boaz Bismuth/JNS.org At the start of this month, the Iranian currency—the rial—lost
Is the Persian Spring simmering? Read More »
Middle East