AUSTIN, Texas — Split irrevocably along party lines, the Texas Senate on Thursday approved legislation banning transgender student athletes from competing in sports within their gender identity. All 18 Republicans voted for Senate Bill 29, which would require athletes in Texas public high schools and grade schools to compete in sports based on the “biological
Texas Senate approves limits on transgender student athletes Read More »
USA
A Concise Guide to the Sages is made up of five parts. The first 271 pages of the 511-page volume focuses on the more than fifty weekly biblical portions of the Five Books of Moses which Jews read in synagogues and which many Jews study at home. Virtually all of the sayings of the Sages quoted in this section are midrashic (ideas derived from the biblical text which are not explicit in the text). {Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}
Steinsaltz’s Sage Book on the Sages Read More »
Jewish Religion
Now before you think this column is about physical exercise and muscle growth, I’m talking here about another type of being “F.I.T.,” one that I’ve been writing and speaking about for many years. This F.I.T. has to do with being a “Fundamentally Independent Thinker” and requires no exercise equipment. “The link is what you think,” remember? Let’s delve into this a bit and see how being an independent thinker, not emotionally hooked into external events, can help you through the COVID-19 psychological upheaval. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Post COVID, Become F.I.T. Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
It is hard to find something more scornful than President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s sudden decision to withdraw Turkey from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
Turkey’s Erdogan’s Despicable Disregard for Women Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
Editor’s Note: In celebration of Israel’s 73rd birthday today, Nicky Blackburn of Israel21c.org compiled 73 fun facts about Israel:
73 Fun Facts About Israel Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday named a liaison to Asian Americans, who are contending with rising violence, after facing pressure to ensure greater diversity among top administration officials. Biden picked onetime congressional aide Erika Moritsugu to spearhead outreach to the increasingly politically significant Asian American
Prodded to act on racial justice, Biden picks liaison to Asian diaspora Read More »
USA
This laconic, short, prose, exaggerated sequence of events is attributed to the time of Aram’s attack on the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) during the brief rule of Israelite King Joram (851-842 BCE). A key figure was the prophet Elisha. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Haftorah Reading for April 17, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Arab nations invaded the new state of Israel before I was born, at a time when the world was still shaken by the fury of World War II. Arab leaders urged their people to flee Israel in advance of the fighting and return once they drove the Jews into the sea. [Bruce S. Ticker]
U.S. Support for Palestinians Stirs Controversy Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, USA
Washington (AFP) – US Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday she will visit Mexico and Guatemala as part of her mission to address the “root causes” of an influx in migrants at the southern border. Speaking with reporters in Washington, Harris did not say if she planned to visit the border herself, where she said
Kamala Harris to visit Mexico, Guatemala to discuss migrants Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – A US congressional panel debates Wednesday whether to consider federal slavery reparation payments to African Americans, ahead of a historic first vote on an issue gaining momentum during the nation’s racial reckoning. The House Judiciary Committee launches its first-ever markup — the process by which committees debate and amend legislation — of
US House panel studies slavery reparations ahead of key vote Read More »
USA
By Makini Brice and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hate crime legislation intended to combat violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic advanced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, easily overcoming the Senate procedural tool known as the filibuster. Senators on Wednesday took a procedural vote on whether to limit debate on the overall bill.
U.S. Senate hate crimes bill sails past filibuster Read More »
USA
Moving beyond remembrance to action is one of the goals of Senator Henry Stern’s (D Los Angeles) SB 693. the Never Again Education Act of 2021 which cleared the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, April 14, on a unanimous 7-0 vote. {News Release from California State Sen. Henry Stern]
Holocaust Education Bill Advances in State Senate Read More »
International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Economist Alan Nevin will analyze the San Diego economy with particular emphasis on the real estate market at a 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, Zoom meeting of the Beth Israel Men’s Club. [Beth Israel Men’s Club news release]
Economist Alan Nevin to address CBI Men’s Club Read More »
Business & Finance, San Diego County