A year ago this week the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic. Since then I have not attended any “congregate” events. Now that I’m fully vaccinated, I plan to attend a wedding being held at the end of this month. The invitation has made me feel that this will not be a risky undertaking. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: My Big Safe Covid-19 Wedding Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices featured the poetry of young writers from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, last month. The Internet audience for the Lawrence Family JCC sponsored event consisted of poetry lovers young and old from the entire West Coast. [Eileen Wingard]
West Coast Jewish Youth Recite the Poetry Within Them Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
In his fourth appearance in a Joel Rosenberg fictional thriller, CIA Agent Marcus Ryker fights valiantly when he and two others making a peaceful inspection tour of the Israeli-Lebanese border are ambushed and captured by a unit of Hezbollah. The operatives of the Radwan unit don’t know how big a prize Ryker is, thinking at first that he is an Israeli, and finding out belatedly that he is an American. But, given that he provides them with his alias, they don’t know his real name of why such countries as Russia and Iran have put a big price on his head. [Donald H. Harrison]
Thriller Novel Tells of War, Rogue Operations on Israel-Lebanon Border Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
What’s worse?
1) The decision of the Israeli Supreme Court, authorizing the conversions to Judaism by Conservative and Reform Rabbis in Israel? 2) The onset of investigations against Israel for war crimes by the International Criminal Court? 3) The opening of Israeli schools in all grades, as well as shopping centers, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, theaters, and halls for weddings and Bar Mitvot, as well as the opening of Israel’s borders to 4,000 per day of returning Israelis and the weakening of what had been screening by a government committee of applicants and allowing the return of some 600 per day? [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Three major controversies ahead of Israel’s election Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East
By and large, we are taught that Israel’s time in Egypt was a nightmare—that they were enslaved and tormented there until they had no choice but to escape in the dead of night. Yet, this is a very incomplete representation of the picture. [Michael Laitman]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part II Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
The other day and yet again a US forward operating base (shared with the Iraqi Air Force) at Ain al-Asad was hit by rockets. There was one death (allegedly from a heart attack during the attack) and six injured (5 contractors and 1 US service member). There was no prior warning and, it appears, the air defenses at the base failed to detect the threat or respond to the incoming missiles. How do we know this? There is drone video of part of the attack that shows 6 incoming rockets. There are no interceptor rockets or tracer rounds from the ground trying to knock down the rockets. Hence, there was no air defense response. The big question is this: Why didn’t the Pentagon ask Israel to supply Iron Dome systems that could have defeated any rocket, drone, artillery, mortar or cruise missile attack? (Stephen D. Bryen)
Army Resistance to ‘Iron Dome’ Imperils Overseas Bases Read More »
Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
Often when I hear people wanting to destroy statues of historical figures and burn books of authors who mentioned something they considered wrong, even though these men and women also did good things and are part of our history, I wonder what they would do with the Hebrew Bible if they found out that all the men and women mentioned in the Hebrew Bible arguably did something wrong, such as King David’s adultery. The only totally innocent good man in the Hebrew Bible is Job, and that story according to many rabbis and scholars is just a parable. By pointing out the wrongs, the Torah is telling us that the biblical heroes were humans like us. The Bible does not expect any human to never do wrong. We should learn from these narratives to strive to be as good as we can be. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USA
Later works by Dr. Seuss carried strong messages of the importance of acceptance of others, including Horton Hears a Who!, with a theme of “a person’s a person no matter how small.” Seuss, who made his home in San Diego County, was inspired by a post-World War II visit to Japan that opened his eyes to seeing the Japanese people differently than he had during the war. Which of Dr. Seuss’s works was inspired by something Jewish? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dr. Seuss Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Selwyn Isakow and Lita Kleger SAN DIEGO — The Kindness team is pursuing an ambitious mission – to alleviate poverty in the San Diego Jewish Community. Yes, ambitious, but achievable if taken one person, one household at a time through collaborations with local service providers, volunteers and supporters who believe the time is
Kindness Initiative Aids Impoverished Jews in San Diego Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
There has never been a sovereign state called Palestine. There may well become such a nation that includes Israel’s territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Many of us hope there will be a sovereign state called Palestine or whatever name its people want to attach to it. But not yet. [Bruce S. Ticker}
NY Times Refers to ‘Palestine’ as a Country Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USAThe editor of one of the papers where I write regular op-eds requested more information on my message that if Jews are not united, they bring on themselves antisemitism. Specifically, he wanted to know my sources for making this argument so insistently. He is correct; people need to know where ideas come from, especially ones that are hard to swallow. Therefore, I have decided to write a series of articles that explain where Jews come from and why they have always been hated, with a few brief exceptions that also didn’t end well. [Michael Laitman]
On Jewish Unity and Antisemitism Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
A review committee in London will consider a proposed historical plaque honoring a virtually forgotten Holocaust rescuer, Marie Schmolka, who was instrumental in organizing the Kindertransport. [Jerry Klinger]
Drive to Honor Holocaust Rescuer Marie Schmolka Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East
A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew enter a bar. The bartender asks, “Is this a joke?” That’s how I feel after reading a recent Reuters article (3/4/21) entitled, “West scraps plan for IAEA rebuke of Iran.” Evidently Britain, France and Germany scrapped their plan, backed by the US, criticizing Iran for its many, serious actions regarding its nuclear activity. This must mean that the three European countries believe that they will be more successful in reining in Iran by being nice and continuing negotiations than by showing diplomatic strength. [Steve Kramer]
Europeans spineless about confronting Iran Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA