Byliners

Israeli Officers Are Wrong to Ask for U.S. Intervention

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]

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: James Carville

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]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Satire: Vacation after Vaccination

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]

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Good News from Israel (May 2, 2021)

Highlights of the May 2, 2021 edition of “Good News from Israel” include:
–Israel’s Covid infection levels are the lowest for over a year.
–An Israeli treatment uses a patient’s cells to bypass blocked arteries.
–Israeli humanitarian aid is on its way to four stricken countries.
–More Israeli vegan meat and milk products.
–Israeli technology will help expand space exploration.
–Israeli startups in Europe provide tens of thousands of local jobs.
–An Israeli basketball team has won the FIBA Europe Cup.
–Free Birthright tours to Israel resume. [Michael Ordman]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Baby Moses and the Unaccompanied Migrant Minors

Enrique Morones, a humanitarian who has spent decades advocating for dignified and welcoming treatment for migrants, told Thursday of a woman at a Jewish congregation who expressed shock that parents would allow their minor children to cross into the United States by themselves to whatever fate might await them. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, USA

Tragedy Strikes on Joyous Day of Lag B’Omer

Sometimes when we are hit with an immense tragedy we are left speechless. The Torah tells us that after the Jewish people had inaugurated the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, died tragically. At the height of the celebration tragedy struck. The Torah tells us that Aharon was silent (“VaYidom Aharon”), there was nothing for him to say. G-d Himself, and the Children of Israel led by Moshe, came to comfort Aharon in his profound distress. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Who was Shimon Bar Yochai?

An Israeli national disaster occurred at the Lag B’Omer festival on Mount Meron in northern Israel on April 28 when 45 people were killed and 155 were injured when thousands people gathered in the tightly packed confines of a compound surrounding the grave of a Jewish holy man. The tragic incident demands answers for why a hundred thousand mainly Haredi Jews from Israel and abroad would make their way to this isolated site at this special time. [Barry Shaw]

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Barry Shaw, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Joys and Perils of Internet Shopping

Another of the consolations provided by the internet was on-line shopping. I don’t know about everyone else, but my screen ‘feeds’ constantly contained images of desirable garments, books, items of furniture, gadgets and sundry items with which someone out there sought to entice me. Most of the time I managed to resist the temptation, but , I must confess that there were occasions on which I succumbed. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Business & Finance, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East

No requirement to respect elections rigged by dictators

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with regard to elections in South America, tweeted earlier this month: “I recall @POTUS saying: ‘Democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant.’ Elections are the first step. We must respect results and hold leaders accountable to sustain our democracies.” [Shoshana Bryen]

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Einstein Didn’t Come Through for This Reviewer

It is wonderful to see how resilient and innovative our San Diego area theaters are, and North Coast Repertory Theater is a testament to the old adage, “the show must go on.” Under the direction of David Ellenstein with co-writer Marc Silver, audiences were invited to attend the one-man show, Einstein Comes Through, portrayed by Jake Broder.  [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast