As we move closer to the November 1 election, we can guess that the security issue will work in Bibi’s favor, but perhaps not the maritime border. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Security, Maritime Border Issues in Israel’s Nov. 1 Election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel
After serving 35 years as a public servant- six years in the California State Assembly , nine years on the Board of Education, and 20 years in the US Congress- what does one do after retiring? In the case of Susan Davis, one becomes a “private servant, and continues to help others. [Mimi Pollack]
Susan Davis: Life After Congress Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, USA
Some of you may have heard about an incident at Carmel Valley Middle School, where a teacher there had on display, among several pictures of other historical figures, a photo of Adolph Hitler. When confronted by a student who protested, the teacher responded that while Hitler did some bad things he also displayed strong leadership qualities. Parents and community members were rightfully very concerned and expressed that concern to school district leaders. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Hitler’s Portrait and a Response to Antisemitism Read More »
California, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado recently claimed that teachers “are putting litter boxes in schools for students who identify as cats.” This new conspiracy theory espoused by other ultra-conservative Republicans is an extrapolation of their campaign against adjustments schools have made for transgender pupils. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Feline Fabrications Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Here is a journal encouraging children between the ages of 7 and 13 to read, think, and write about everyday secular and Jewish topics. Because it will encourage their children’s self-expression, parents may find this an ideal gift for one of the days of Chanukah. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Journal to Prompt Children to Express Themselves Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
UC San Diego Literature Prof. Amelia Glaser, who has specialized in Jewish studies, will lecture on “Babyn Yar in Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego. The lecture focuses on the Nazi execution of 33,771 Jews at a ravine Sept. 29-30, 1941, and the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s memorial poem written 20 years later. [Temple Emanu-El News Release]
Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History
Yoni Avi Battat’s debut album, Fragments, explores his Arab-Jewish identity through nine selections. He composed the music for seven of them, delving into the Arabic melodies of his grandparent’s native Iraq for inspiration and including native instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), qanun (chordaphone with many strings), nay (reed flute), riq (tambourine), frame drum, karakeb (large iron castenets), darbuka (goblet shaped drum) and joza (coconut shell fiddle held on knee). [Eileen Wingard]
Arab-Jewish Musician Releases CD Exploring His Heritages Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
While attending the Catholic Saint Augustine High School, it never occurred to Phil Lorang that many years later he would be serving as president of the Men’s Club at Tifereth Israel Synagogue as well as a member of the Conservative Jewish congregation’s Board of Directors. [Donald H. Harrison]
Phil Lorang Honored at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Read More »
Travel and Food
Envoy Hochstein, in the tradition of American negotiators in Israel’s sphere, has proposed that it accept 100% of Lebanon’s demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some minor concessions to Israel. In any event, Hezbollah rejects the entire agreement, adding additional requirements. Acting Prime Minister Lapid had immediately commented favorably on the proposed deal, although the opposition vehemently disagrees. (Steve Kramer]
US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USAThe Americans were given the task of producing a draft agreement, and the man they chose for doing the deal is a Jew, a former Israeli, and veteran of the IDF, who subsequently moved to Washington and joined the State Department. Amos Hochstein expresses the mix of Israeli and American identities. He’s produced something that seems reasonable, especially given Israel’s economic strength and Lebanon’s economic desperation. [Ira Sharkansky]
Offshore Gas Deal Seems Fair, Though Ill-Timed Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, USA
This novel follows a Jewish family through nearly four decades of American history, starting with the couple’s chance meeting at Roosevelt Field on May 20, 1927, while watching Charles Lindbergh begin his solo flight across the Atlantic, and extending through the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Summer Lightning’ and the Sudden Strikes of Love Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Many readers of San Diego Jewish World know Baron via his political satire columns, but I asked my colleague to put his hat back on as a Holocaust scholar to assess how well Burns’ documentary had covered the subject.[Donald H. Harrison]
Pros and Cons of Ken Burns’ Holocaust Documentary Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
As with Rosh Hashanah, Orthodox Jews like me recognize that Yom Kippur is not mentioned in the Bible. It replaces another day known as Yom Hakippurim, mentioned in the Bible in Leviticus 16:29–31, 23:27–32, and Numbers 29:7–11. Orthodox Jews follow the Oral Law, the ways that the rabbis interpreted the Torah. This can be called Rabbinical Judaism in contrast to Biblical Judaism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Yom Kippur is not a Biblical Holiday Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
This memoir is about different kinds of self-deception. One form is that of a drug addict who keeps telling herself and others that she is on the road to recovery and doesn’t need any 12-step programs or psychological help. The other is about a well-meaning aunt, who enables her drug-addict niece by pretending not to know that she is still using. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Self-Deceptions of a Drug Addict and Her Enabling Aunt Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison