Wish you had the courage to express your feelings more in your life? Wish you stayed more in touch with friends during your lifetime? Wish you had the mettle to live the life you wanted to live and not the life others thought you “should” live? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Author Tells How to Live Without Regrets Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Wait, it’s not the chicken soup, it’s the herbs that count! Eastern European Jewry, particularly those living in the area known as “The Pale of Settlement,” on the western side of the Dnieper River, in present-day Ukraine, whose history there began in the Middle Ages, have a “long and distinguished canon dedicated to the healing process,” a research area unfortunately ignored, by-and-large, by sociological scholars. Cohen and Siegel, in their joint venture Ashkenazi Herbalism, describe the history and role of plants and herbs employed by Ashkenazi folk-healers, piecing together sparse, fragmented sources, and weaving them into an engaging story. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Jewish Folk Remedies from the Pale of Settlement Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education
Some fifty years ago the International Piano Master Competition honoring pianist Arthur Rubinstein was established in Israel. Every three years (four years in 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic), young pianists from all over the world compete in front of audiences in Israel for the prizes awarded by an international jury in the framework of the competition. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Neighbor Competed for an International Piano Prize Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sports & Competitions
This poetic text of this week’s Haftorah reading indicates Jeremiah’s commitment to God, despite his failures to successfully correct Judea’s wayward behaviors. The background is the coming destruction of the Southern Kingdom and Solomon’s Temple, with exile of their leaders by Babylon. Jeremiah’s prophesy career is experienced as repeated rejection. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for May 8, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Vice President Kamala Harris is making a mistake by declining to visit the U.S.-Mexico border, but not for the reason that Republican critics may think. [Donald H. Harrison]
It Would Aid Harris’s Mission to Go to the Border Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, USAAs this third book of the Torah, the middle book, comes to an end, we are given nechemta, with a hopeful view of future generations. The parasha tells us, “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them, I will give you rains in their time, the Land will yield its produce, and the tree of the field will give forth its fruit. Your threshing will last until the vintage…and I will grant peace in the Land…You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you…” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
By Our Actions We Choose Blessings or Curses Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz who authored sixty books and hundreds of articles is the author of the 549-page book Reference Guide to the Talmud: The Indispensable Talmud Study Aid. It is one of his five new books published by Maggid Books. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
An Indispensable Guide to the Talmud Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
The student government of Pomona College successfully pushed through a resolution that would compel student clubs to participate in a boycott of targeted companies doing business with Israel. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]
Pomona Student Groups Forfeit Funding If They Support Israel Read More »
Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
“The Happiest Man on Earth,” a memoir by Australian centenarian Eddie Jaku, departs from memoirs by other Holocaust survivors in its contemplation of the role of friendship in enabling prisoners of Nazi concentration camps to survive. [Donald H. Harrison]
Friendship His Key to Survival at Auschwitz Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles
Military officers in democratic countries have a difficult mission: to protect the people and to wage war at the command of their governments. It isn’t easy, and the IDF – like the United States military – has an admirable record. Occasionally however, military officers glide off into politics. A group of retired Israel officers, Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), appears to be doing that – which normally would be an issue only for Israelis and their government. But this group is asking the United States to create circumstances they believe serve their country but are not being pursued to their satisfaction by their own government. [Shoshana Bryen]
Israeli Officers Are Wrong to Ask for U.S. Intervention Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
James Carville offered advice and criticism to the Democratic Party for their overall poor results (other than winning the presidency) in the last election (“We won the White House against a world-historical buffoon. And we came within 42,000 votes of losing.”). What “Jewish-referenced” comment did Carville offer? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: James Carville Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
It doesn’t look like Bibi can form a new government. Indeed, there are signs that he’s falling apart. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Bibi’s Running out of Time to Form a Coalition Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Here are some common scams and tips to stay safe. [Teresa Konopka]
Protecting Ourselves from Common Scams Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Teresa_Konopka
Hello suitcase, my old friend.
I’ve come to pack you once again.
Because I’ve had two vaccinations
I can now take a vacation. … {Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Vacation after Vaccination Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire