The newly announced Israeli unity government has to run the gauntlet of a week-long opposition attempt to persuade members of the coalition to peel away from their parties and thereby reduce the coalition’s numbers below the required 61 seat mandate. [Barry Shaw]
Israel’s New Coalition Government Must Survive Challenges in Knesset Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle East
This prose extract from Joshua described as the work of ‘Former Prophets.’ It tells of an alleged event en route toward the conquest of Jericho as inserted by the Deuteronomist writer(s). [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah for June 5, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
In this memoir, nonagenarian Michael G. Kesler tells how as a teenager, he escaped both forced service in the Soviet Army and the Nazi invasion of his Polish home town by hopping trains with his older sister Luba eastward to the Soviet Asian republics where they both found productive work. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Survivor’s Trek Through Europe and the U.S. Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Travel and Food
Published by Chicago Tribune It matters not which group is in the crosshairs, prejudice inevitably rests on the adjective “all.” Currently Jews are targeted. In the wake of the deadly exchange of missiles between Israel and Hamas, synagogues have been vandalized in Phoenix and Chicago. In Times Square, a man wearing a kippah, the distinctive
Ron Grossman: Antisemitic attacks show people believe all Jews think alike Read More »
USA
Published by The Bangkok Post TEHRAN: One of Iran’s largest naval ships sank Wednesday after catching fire off a strategic port near the head of the Gulf, the navy said. The British-built fleet replenishment vessel Kharg, which measured more than 200 metres (more than 650 feet) long, caught fire on Tuesday off the port of
Iran navy ship sinks after fire in Gulf of Oman Read More »
Middle East
The world has just marked the 80th anniversary of the Farhud, the Arab–Nazi pogrom against Jews in Baghdad and Basra on June 1-2, 1941. The term Arab–Nazi is completely correct, not because these Arabs were merely fascist in mind and deed, but because they actually identified with Germany’s Nazi Party. Some of the rioters wore swastikas; more than a few actually marched in the Nuremberg torchlight parades. Farhud means “violent dispossession.” [Edwin Black]
80 Years Later, Could the Farhud Happen Again? Read More »
Edwin Black, International, Middle East
Isaac Herzog, former Minister, Chairman of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, was elected by the Knesset (parliament) to serve as Israel’s 11th President. Herzog currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Herzog was elected with the support of 87 out of the 120 Members of Knesset and his tenure will begin on July 9th. [News Release from office of Isaac Herzog]
Isaac Herzog Elected as Israel’s 11th President Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
The California State Assembly passed legislation Tuesday that aims to significantly strengthen California’s response to the recent surge in hate crimes and hate-motivated violence. Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), Assembly Bill (AB) 57 would implement specific recommendations from the State Auditor to enable law enforcement to better prevent, respond to, and document hate crimes. The measure passed the State Assembly 77-0 with bipartisan support. [News Release from Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel]
California Bill Calls for Better Documentation of Hate Crimes Read More »
USA
By Ruth Maston SAN DIEGO — Shalom, I’ve got some good news, and some urgent news. The good news is that the House of Israel, along with the other International Cottages in Balboa Park, is set to re-open on July 4th. We’ve waited a long time for this and can’t wait to swing back into
An Open Letter from the House of Israel Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County
Published by Reuters By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has formally ended the Trump-era “remain in Mexico” policy, which forced tens of thousands of Central American asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court cases, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo sent to agency leaders on Tuesday. The administration
U.S. formally ends Trump’s ‘remain in Mexico’ asylum policy Read More »
USA
Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday it was halting petroleum development activity in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, reversing a move by former president Donald Trump to allow drilling. The Interior Department said it was notifying firms of the freeze, pending a comprehensive environmental review that will determine
Biden administration halts oil drilling in Alaska wildlife refuge Read More »
The World We Share
I am who I am thanks to Shabbat. Due to this biblically mandated institution, I have peace of mind, a flourishing community, a great relationship with my family and a career where I traverse the country singing its praises. All this benefit for just taking a day off! The Torah emphasizes Shabbat more than any other ritual because it provides the most profound physical, financial and emotional evidence that one is serious about a relationship with God. [Sam Glaser]
Since Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and this year the return of audiences to movie theaters, I wanted to preview a few of the films scheduled for release in the coming months. Since they were withheld from release due to Covid-19 or shot during the pandemic, their plots have been altered to reflect the events of the past year: [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Woke Summer Blockbusters Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Erika Hecht’s mother had herself and Erika converted from Judaism to Catholicism to protect them from discovery by the Nazis or their Hungarian allies, the Arrow Cross. Erika was enrolled in Catholic school, where she learned her catechism, but she remained aware of her Jewish parentage — especially since she remained close to her father and paternal grandmother. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Family’s Anguish after Converting as Catholics during Nazi Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History