By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Among the things I remember from my history lessons in Fall River is that the British forces employed Hessian mercenaries against the American patriots. Both “mercenary” and “Hessian” had a nasty tone in the textbooks and class discussions. I wonder if those lessons remain in place, and if they are coupled […]
A cautionary note about government subcontractors Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USALA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — The executive director of Hillel of San Diego says his organization’s quest to build a new center near the UCSD campus has not been deterred by a local planning unit’s advisory vote against the project. Michael Rabkin wrote to supporters of Hillel: “On Tuesday last week {March 27}, Hillel of San Diego
Hillel undeterred by ‘street vacation’ setback Read More »
San Diego CountyBy Cynthia Citron VENTURA, California–Most women, when faced with a diagnosis of lymphoma, might be overcome by despair. But Cheri Steinkellner turned the experience into a one-woman musical monologue that became part of the Inner Voices series that played Off-Broadway at Primary Stages in 2010. “The piece, called Mosaic, was a composite story—mine and a
Meet Cheri Steinkellner: her life is written in plays Read More »
Cynthia Citron
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —Children have an unusual ability when it comes to confronting our spiritual hypocrisy as parents and as adults; very often they get to the essence of the problem as they perceive things. Frequently, as parents, we often fail to hear the questions our young people ask of
Answering the ‘wicked child’ at the seder Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiSAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Rabbi Moishe Leider of Chabad of University City on Monday, April 2, sent out an advisory to the community that shots had been fired at his synagogue. He wrote: “As you may have heard from various news sources, two bullet holes were recently discovered in windows on the bottom floor of our Synagogue. Thank
Bullet holes found in synagogue windows Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Rep. Michele Bachmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — As millions around the world begin to celebrate the feast of Passover at sundown on Friday, April 6, it is important to remember why this celebration exemplifies God’s mercy on His people. When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of their great suffering at
Former presidential candidate tells of concern for Israel Read More »
Middle East
By David Brin ENCINITAS, California–Google’s April Fools “product releases” are infamous, but this is one I sure hope they actually implemented as an app. (Anyone care to try it?) “Tap” is an implementations of two-thumb texting that would let you exchange messages truly eyes-free… via Morse Code! (Hey, I even portray this in my new
From brain imaging to parasite infestations Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Surprised? Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals in their latest data that 88 percent of Israelis will take part in a Seder and 47 percent eat only kosher for Passover items during the holiday. Meantime, as Pesach approaches, latest figures from the National Insurance Institute’s 2011 poverty report indicate there are
20 ways to know Pesach is arriving in Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO — Our thanks to Melanie Rubin, who has spotted a license plate with double Jewish interest. MAZLTAV, of course, means good luck in both Yiddish and Hebrew. But there is also the specialty ‘Yosemite’ plate on which the happy expression is printed. Some pronounce it ‘Yo-Sem-It-Ee,’ but others, think of the
Double-interest license plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — When President Obama wants to impress Jewish audiences, such as AIPAC, he frequently casts U.S.-Israel relations in a military context. How much military aid Israel receives (although he had nothing to do with the level; President Bush set the level in a 10-year deal), how many exercises the two
Obama administration undermines Israel-Azerbaijan relationship Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Gabriel Max Scheinmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — Why is the Obama administration cutting funding to Israeli missile defense just as talk of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is reaching a crescendo? As it did last year, Congress, frustrated with the administration’s reduced request, has already moved to supplement the funding. Reps. Howard Berman,D-Calif., and
As Obama cuts back on missile programs, Israel’s suffers Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin MEMPHIS—He discovered something within himself to elevate his hard, quick journey (some say it was his deep love of the Gospel) and his uncommon vision. In truth, Martin Luther King, Jr. (born Mike King) lived a short, brutal life, filled with prison stays, bouts of depression, fear, and threats. Yet he
In praise of Martin Luther King Jr. Read More »
USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DEAD SEA, Israel –If one lives in Israel long enough one cannot escape being brushed by the wings of history. One week in my life recently took me – metaphorically — across continents and eras. On Tuesday I joined a group of friends for a guided tour of the home of Shai
Brushed by history on tour of Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Travel and Food
The Jewish Gospels by Daniel Boyarin; ISBN 978-1-5955846-8-7©2010, $21.95, p. 200, including notes and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D WINCHESTER, Callifornia –Thanks to the Jewish general and historian Josephus and the Greco-Jewish philosopher Philo, we know a great deal about the internecine spiritual arguments among the Jews from the mid-second century BCE through the end
‘The Jewish Gospels’ examines emergence of rabbinic Judaism and Christianity Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion