Books, Poetry & Short Stories

French Government Honors Kosovo’s Lulzim Tafa, Advocate for Kosovo-Israel Relations

By Prof. Dr. Jeton Kelmendi The French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, has officially approved the decree conferring the esteemed title of “Officer of Arts and Letters” upon the celebrated poet from Kosovo, Tafa. This distinction, the highest accolade in the realm of arts and literature bestowed by the French government, marks a historic […]

French Government Honors Kosovo’s Lulzim Tafa, Advocate for Kosovo-Israel Relations Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International

Remembering Sandy Lakoff, Founder of UCSD’s Political Science Department

Sandy fostered long-lasting connections to friends around the world such as Jacob Goldberg, who had served as an adviser to Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Barak. That 40-year friendship began when the Lakoffs hosted Goldberg’s lecture at their home on behalf of American Professors for Peace in the Middle East. [Eileen Wingard]

Remembering Sandy Lakoff, Founder of UCSD’s Political Science Department Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Eileen Wingard, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Library in City Heights Reflects Ben Weingart’s Values

The late philanthropist Ben Weingart, a prominent businessman and a dedicated advocate for the betterment of Southern California, is remembered in San Diego through the Weingart Branch Library, a cultural and educational hub that serves City Heights, one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in San Diego. [Emily Scalmanini]

Library in City Heights Reflects Ben Weingart’s Values Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma

This is a memoir of an American falling in love with a French man who is more traditional in his religious observance than she is.  They marry and live for a while in France, but Israel calls to him.  She wants to live in the familiar U.S. of A.  He wants his family to be raised as traditional Jews in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

Rabbi Wayne Dosick: San Diego County’s Longest-Serving Rabbi and Still One of Its Most Innovative

Some people become increasingly conservative as they age; but the reverse has been true in Dosick’s life. He grew up in a Conservative congregation but decided to enter the Reform seminary of Hebrew Union College because he objected to the Jewish Theological Seminary of the Conservative movement on two grounds.  First, it still separated men and women during prayer services and Dosick opposed mehitzahs (physical barriers). Second the JTS leadership was then on record supporting the war in Vietnam in the mistaken belief that if the U.S. left Vietnam to the Communists, its support for Israel against its enemies also might be shaky. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Wayne Dosick: San Diego County’s Longest-Serving Rabbi and Still One of Its Most Innovative Read More »

Ben Dishman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Harrison Relates Jewish Stories From Along the Interstate 5

Donald H. Harrison, author of a three-volume book on Jewish life in San Diego County along the Interstate 5, will describe his methodology and share some of the stories in a presentation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at Yiddishland, 1128 Wall Street, La Jolla. [SDJW Staff]

Harrison Relates Jewish Stories From Along the Interstate 5 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County

‘Spirit of Progress’ Traces Civilizations from Ancient Times to the Present

Kahana exhibits an impressive command over world history, showcasing a deep understanding of the classical texts and historical narratives that have influenced what is commonly referred to as “Western Civilization,” extending even to the earliest civilizations predating the West. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

‘Spirit of Progress’ Traces Civilizations from Ancient Times to the Present Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

The Hidden Passion and Joy of Psalms Described by Two Rabbis

Most identify the Book of Psalms as a collection of Jewish hymns, prayers, and poems mostly focusing on praising and adoring God. Rabbis Jack Riemer and Elie Spitz, co-authors of Duet on Psalms, with their long careers as pulpit rabbis recognize for too many, reciting psalms is a perfunctory exercise, spoken without passion and devoid of their intrinsic meaning. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

The Hidden Passion and Joy of Psalms Described by Two Rabbis Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

The Melody of Zionism

Like my father, I was presented as a traitor to the homeland and an enemy of the USSR. Although my immigration to Israel was legal, I was honored with the title of “traitor to the homeland.” My father was labeled a “traitor to the homeland” in 1949, although he loved the USSR and socialism. I was labeled a “traitor to the fatherland” 30 years later. In that country, any Jew could be a traitor – one who loved the homeland, as my father did, and one who did not love it, as I did. [Alex Gordon]

The Melody of Zionism Read More »

Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History