By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–In case you haven’t heard, the world may end on May 21. Or it will be a new beginning. I have never been able to puzzle my way through the claims and calculations of those who are certain about these things. From what I do understand, the prediction means that just about
On those end-of-the-world predictions for May 21 and Sept. 29 Read More »
Ira Sharkansky
By Barry Rubin RIGA, Latvia — I’m in Riga, Latvia today, where my grandfather was born and my great-grandparents lived. It is a charming city and I hope to write more about it later. But I wanted to share with you a little story that you might find relevant. Whether or not you know it,
Some Latvian wisdom on dealing with an economic crisis Read More »
International
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—I love the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical “Cabaret”. I shudder at the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical “Cabaret”. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have seen this show. In fact, many moons ago, I saw Joel Grey the (often called) quintessential Emcee perform it live in yet another
‘Cabaret’ flawless and haunting in Cygnet production Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — On Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m. the San Diego community will present a special Holocaust commemoration (Yom Hashoah) program. The event will be held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, in the Garfield Theater, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. The theme will be “Remember, Honor, and Teach: Our
Holocaust commemoration plans in San Diego told Read More »
San Diego Calendar
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — “How can you let your daughter move to Israel?” The question, along with disbelieving little gasps, has been put to me by a number of well-meaning friends and acquaintances in recent weeks. My second daughter, Debra, has been recruited from The New York Times to serve as breaking
“How can you let your daughter move to Israel?” Read More »
Middle East
Finding Emilie by Laurel Corona, Gallery Books, 2011, 427 pages plus reading guide and conversation with author, $15. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Questions often arise about biblical passages, which seem to skip a lot of material. To fill in those blanks, rabbis over the centuries have written explanatory stories known as medrashim.
Finding women’s voices in 18th-century France Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –“Until next time” is the theme heard from military officers and commentators wrapping up the weekend’s dust-up with Hamas and its allies/competitors in Gaza. That is also a summary history of Israel. There is no clear answer to the question, “How many wars?” insofar as some “operations” are hardly different from
What passes for ‘macho’ in the Middle East Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — “Until the next round” is the headline in today’s Ha’aretz that describes the attempt at ceasefire between Hamas and Israel after these last days of intensive belligerence. As a result, the rockets raining on the Negev have been reduced, though not yet fully eliminated, and Israel has refrained from
No one assumes latest Israel-Gaza flareup will be the last Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Ali Gomaa, grand mufti of Egypt, writes in the New York Times: “Egypt’s religious tradition is anchored in a moderate, tolerant view of Islam. We believe that Islamic law guarantees freedom of conscience and expression (within the bounds of common decency) and equal rights for women. And as head
Grand Mufti claims Egypt’s Islam is moderate Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO, April 9 — Daniel Viflich, the 16-year-old boy who was injured Thursday, April 7, on the Israeli school bus that was hit by an anti-tank shell fired from the Gaza Strip, had been visiting his grandma at Kibbutz Ruhama and had gone on a ride with his grandma’s neighbor,
Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Synagogue Has New Organization Southwestern Jewish Press, January 20, 1956, Page 5 A newly formed youth organization at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, the United Synagogue Youth, had its first meeting Saturday, January 14, with a great deal of success. It was a get-acquainted affair. The officers at this
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, January 20, 1956, Part 3 Read More »
Adventures in SD History, Jewish History
By Dov Hartuv KIBBUTZ NAHAL OZ — I am furious and frustrated. On Thursday afternoon (April 7) the yellow regional school bus drove in to the kibbutz and as usual discharged its load of boisterous school kids. The school day had ended and the Pesah holidays were on hand. The bus did an about turn
A grandfather’s cry of pain after school bus attack Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–I woke to the sound of the loud speaker at a nearby mosque calling my neighbors to prayer, then read of the IDF’s latest targeted assassinations in Gaza, the continued firing of mortars and rockets in our direction, and the success of the new anti-missile missiles to identify and destroy the heavy
Enemies and a ‘friend” who cross the line Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California, April 8—I learned once again that do-it-yourself can be a recipe for disaster, especially when there are professionals paid by others just to guide your way. I accompanied two of my journalism students at Grossmont College, Russ Lindquist and Earnest Carter, to an interview on Friday with Olivia
Find yourself an expert Read More »
Donald H. Harrison