By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — When she was 13 years old, Cara Weiss had the opportunity to audition for a major movie role: that of Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank. She didn’t get the part, but she got something better. She identified so strongly with Anne, that she began writing
Otto Frank’s correspondent settles in San Diego Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Time to think again for those who kvelled when it appeared that Bibi had the US Congress eating out of his hand, standing and applauding at least as often as for a Presidential State of the Union. And again when he began that speech at AIPAC with the Holocaust and ended
Netanyahu plays to crowd with half-measures Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Years ago, one could hear Israelis say that they lived in a poor country but the citizens were doing well. They were referring to the dependence on German reparations, foreign aid and, not least, the support of Jewish communities from around the world. Nowadays, it seems to be the other way
As wealth gap increases, Orthodox Jews protest economy Read More »
Middle East
By Carol Davis ESCONDIDO, California —-Rita McKenzie has been called ‘bold and brassy’. ‘Dynamite’. Call her what you will, but there is no doubt that she embodies the voice, spirit and persona of the bold, brassy and dynamite Ethel Merman. Now, in a limited engagement at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido Ms. McKenzie will
McKenzie comes up roses in ‘Ethel Merman’s Broadway’ Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The sound bite went viral — the president of the United States asking the Russian president to carry a message to Putin for “space” in dealing with contentious missile defense issues until after the election so the American president would have “more flexibility.” The photos went viral as well:
President should trust Russia less and American friends more Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Cynthia Citron BEVERLY HILLS, California — Two Davids met as freshmen at St. Gregory’s, which was then a community college in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After two years, they moved on — David McClendon to the University of Oklahoma and David Hunt Stafford to CalArts. But both of them went on to become successful actors and
Two Davids share a new love: ‘Laura’ Read More »
Cynthia Citron
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Although we are free from the physical bondage our ancestors suffered in Egypt, this does not mean that we are no longer enslaved. I realized this during a recent trip I took out of the country. Judy and I were vacationing in a city where our cell phones
Why we are commanded to rid our homes of chametz Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Haredim are putting my liberalism to the test – and I’m not doing well. Of late I’ve been watching a young ultra-Orthodox man coming out of one of the wings of our building; he seems to live there. I’m getting into a panic: if he brings his friends and relatives to
How Haredi theology inconveniences the majority Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two issues were prominent on Friday’s agenda. Both were either large or small, depending on perspective and how they developed. Both combined local and international considerations. Most immediate was Land Day. Mar ch 30 is one of the prominent items on the protest calendar of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. It
Planned anti-Israel protests seem to fizzle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Passover and give thought to the meaning of freedom. The Passover Hagadah brings us to an important realization: We are not merely the products of the present. In the words of the Hagadah, “And had the Holy Blessed One
Haggadah not only has four ‘whys,’ but numerous ‘what ifs’ Read More »
Travel and Food
Israel’s Silent Defender: An Inside Look at Sixty Years of Israeli Intelligence, edited by Amos Gilbo and Ephraim Lapid, Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem, 2012, 385 pages including appendices, ISBN 978-965-229-528-6. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–This collection of essays by members of Israel’s intelligence establishment has been thoroughly vetted to make sure nothing therein provides
Book examines Israel’s intelligence-gathering Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Hashem (G-d) in His infinite mercy redeemed us from our bitter bondage. Not only did He free us physically, Hashem with boundless love restored our spirits emotionally and psychologically. We have the capacity both to pick ourselves up and to restore and comfort others, as the following true
Rekindling good spirits after a tragedy Read More »
Jewish Religion
By David Brin ENCINITAS, California –I regularly consult with various branches of our “protector caste”… from the military services and homeland security to several unnamed “agencies.” Naturally, I am encouraged by the fact that some of the most serious-minded men and women on the planet are very interested in well-grounded projections of diverse possible futures
Navy, insurance industry agree on climate change Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
By Carrie Kreutz-Landry SAN DIEGO –An enthusiastic group gathered on Friday, March 23, in the North University Community Branch Library’s Community Room, anxious to meet Laura Simon, author of the memoir I Am Still Here. She was equally as eager to meet her admirers. Smiling, posing for photos, and chatting with people, it was hard
Author, 106, delights in library Q&A session Read More »
Travel and Food