By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–If you’re an optimist you may decide to interpret the comings and goings of the US and Israeli generals as yet another way to intimidate Iran and prevent it from manufacturing nuclear arms. If, on the other hand, you’re a pessimist, you may conclude that the frequent contacts between Israeli and
Confusion and speculation about whether war with Iran is coming Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Last week was was another occasion when Israel’s ethnic issues escaped from the closet to arouse one crowd and numerous commentators. The crowd was more than two thousand Ethiopians who demonstrated against discrimination in the town of Kiryat Malachi. The principal charge was that landlords refused to rent
Charting ethnic divides in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–When one of their movies was over, Hollywood movie moguls typically filmed a placard reading “The End.” But how were the end of their own lives marked on their tombstones? In an engaging article in the Winter 2012 issue of Western States Jewish History, Regina Merwin tracks down the gravestones
The not-so-big finales of Hollywood’s movie moguls Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –I could not help but read the Chabad reaction to Shmuley Boteach’s new book, Kosher Jesus. Most of us, who have no inner access to the Chabad inner circle, might be surprised by the ferocity of the Lubavitchers’ reactions. Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, Dean of SJ Abrams Cheder
Boteach’s ‘Kosher Jesus’ stirs Lubavitcher wrath Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi“The Kissenger Saga,” a film by Evi Kurz Reviewed by Joel and Arlene Moskowitz LA JOLLA, California–The story of the Kissenger boys, who escaped Hitler’s campaign to anihilate the Jews, is a star example of the American dream . It is told in a picture directed by Evi Kurz who wrote a book about them. Henry (actually
S.D. Jewish Film Festival: ‘The Kissinger Saga’ a double American success story Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — He discovered something within himself to elevate his hard, quick journey (some say it was his deep love of ideas) 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.
Martin Luther King Jr’s eventful life was all too short Read More »
USA
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In reading a book (“Galileo’s Daughter” by Dava Sobel) about the sixteenth and seventeenth century scientist, astronomer, and philosopher Galileo Galilei, I learned that despite his run-ins with the Catholic Church, Galileo was a deeply religious man. His religious beliefs, however, were out of synch with the orthodoxies
Bible’s “truths” are spiritual not necessarily historical Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The Washington Post ran several articles and columns this week about the emergence of once-secret U.S.-Taliban talks designed to pave the way for an American exit from Afghanistan. Writers have likened them to the talks that preceded our exit from Vietnam. Maybe, but there is another cautionary tale
By Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO — Whether you’re managing your own investments or using an advisor, be aware that a new tax law has created an opportunity. If you don’t want a dray kup, just ask your advisor or your stockbroker to make sure you’re taking advantage of the new rules. For those of you
Save Money on Your Mutual Fund Sales! Read More »
Sheryl Rowling, Travel and Food
By James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. — We should not be too surprised that Iran continues to defy international calls to open its nuclear program to greater scrutiny and transparency. Even as the toughest U.S. sanctions yet were enacted, and Europe was considering a ban on Iranian oil imports, the militant theocracy threatened to close the
U.S. must do more than talk tough on Iran sanctions Read More »
USAPosted January 12, 2012 By Samara Greenberg WASHINGTON, D.C. –Here are some news stories from around the world attracting attention in the nation’s capital. Egypt U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns on Wednesday met with the head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), in the highest-level talks that
Jewish Policy Center’s world news and commentary Read More »
International
By Carol Davis SOLANA BEACH, California —Thirty years ago the late Tom Blakistone and his wife Olive founded the North Coast Repertory Theatre in the shopping center at Loma Santa Fe in Solana Beach. The first incarnation of this theater was located in a tiny little corner right next to an ice cream store. My
‘The Lion in Winter’ roars in New Year at North Coast Rep Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–One of my congregants asked a recent synagogue class, “How can we try to be respectful and understanding of the ultra-Orthodox when they are at the forefront of hostile activities like rioting at places which are open on Shabbat and more recently, vandalizing a girls’ school in Bet
Is everyone worthy of our respect? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — A few years ago, a group of senior American military professionals were in discussion with high-level IDF commanders on what the Israelis called “extremely narrowly focused attacks.” In the beginning, they tiptoed around blunt language – “targeted killing” or “assassination” – but the bottom line emerged. Israel faced an
Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist an example of narrowing the target Read More »
Shoshana Bryen