(Editor’s Note: In the following letter, ‘Lone Soldier’ refers to soldiers who immigrate to Israel without their families, and who thus are without the support groups other soldiers enjoy in their off hours or on leave.) Editor, San Diego Jewish World I am writing to tell you about a very special organization in Israel, and […]
Former San Diegan seeks support for Israel's 'lone soldier' program Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday condemned comments made by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef as “offensive and incendiary,” cautioning that his words “contribute to a potentially dangerous environment of intolerance and hatred.” In a speech on August 28, Rabbi Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas Party in Israel, reportedly said, “Abu Mazen and
ADL: Ovadia Yosef's comments offensive and incendiary Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It is not auspicious. More than 80 percent of Palestinians and Israelis have expressed either opposition and/or pessimism with respect to the Obama peace process. (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion , Poll #172). Benyamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas have been dragged, kicking and screaming their preconditions while insisting they they
Pessimism prevails as peace talks loom Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has launched a national campaign on behalf of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in 2006 and held incommunicado since. A central feature of the mobilization is a new web site, which will provide people across the United States, in Israel
Jewish website to facilitate birthday and Holy Day greetings for Gilad Shalit Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — As I was still wondering who I was early this morning, I heard the 6 o’clock news report that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef had used his weekly sermon to curse the Palestinians and wish an early death for their leaders. “Abu Mazan and all the other evil ones should perish. May
Israelis jockey and make speeches as new peace talks approach Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California–I just updated my will and trust and, with heavy heart, cut out what was a significant bequest to my alma mater, Brooklyn College. What caused the disinheritance is that all incoming freshmen and transfer students are given a copy of a book to read, and no other, to create their
Why I just disinherited my alma mater Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When I opened this morning’s paper, I groaned when I saw that the stock market had dropped below 10,000. I began to feel sorry for myself until I read the next headline: “Flooding displaces one million more in Pakistan.” At least 1,600 people have been killed and 17
Think you’ve got it bad in this economy? Think again! Read More »
Middle EastPart two of a series on poverty in Israel; to read part one, click here. Ephraim Guttman illustrates both the face of poverty in Israel and a solution. Dressed in the uniform of the ultra-Orthodox — the requisite black suit and white shirt, which makes no concession to the scorching summer heat — he does
Commentary: Efforts needed to rescue Arabs and Haredim from Israeli poverty Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When I first moved to Israel, some forty years ago, there was one supermarket in Jerusalem, and perhaps a few more in Tel Aviv. My housekeeping requirements as a student were not very great, and I seem to remember my forays to the supermarket as rare occasions, requiring
Going to market in Jerusalem is a gender issue Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– The Ground Zero Mosque as its opponents call it, or Cordoba House according to its promoters, has become a mirror of politics in the United States and elsewhere, and not always the best of those politics. Bottom feeders in New York see strong opposition as their best road to a nomination.
Words of controversy: It's 'Ground Zero Mosque' to some, 'Cordoba House' to others Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–Muslim protestors set ablaze half a dozen vehicles in the eastern part of Jerusalem on Thursday and threw stones and firebombs at Israeli police after Jewish settlers approached a mosque, local residents and police said. There were no reported injuries in the incident in the Silwan neighborhood, where tensions have flared between Palestinians and
Violence flares in Silwan neighborhood of Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastTEHERAN (WJC)–Iran has said it was prepared to sell weapons to the Lebanon should the government in Beirut seek help to equip its military. On Tuesday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had proposed to the unity government of Prime Minister Hariri to formally seek military assistance from Tehran, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported. In Teheran,
Iran offers to sell Lebanon arms in wake of U.S. freeze Read More »
Middle East, USAJERUSALEM (WJC)–A team of Israeli police officers will leave for Haiti to serve as part of a multinational force set up by the United Nations. It marks the first time Israelis will serve on a UN force. The 14 police officers attended a ceremony at the Western Wall on Monday ahead of their scheduled departure
14 Israeli police to serve in U.N. force in Haiti Read More »
Middle East
By Kathi Diamant SAN DIEGO — Franz Kafka has gotten quite a bit of play lately. His photo has accompanied headlines in any number of newspapers, magazines, and network news websites in the past couple of months, most of which include one or more of the following words: treasure, trial, nightmare, snarled, tangled, vaults, masterpieces,
Missed a turn in the latest Kafka controversy? Here’s a primer Read More »
Middle East