My last column, about Israel’s perils of September, brought forth several comments about similarities elsewhere. No surprise, except for a friend’s note about the correspondence between disease and populism, often distorted with wild claims as to who was really responsible, and about cures for the illness. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
COVID-19 impacts health, politics in U.S., Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
Boarding a comfortable but fast boat that would circumnavigate the South Pacific island of Niue, Noa and Esther were pleased with their earlier meeting with the country’s premier, who had promised his government’s cooperation as they explored the possibility of installing a desalination plant on the island. However, he warned them that due to the atoll’s geography, rising as it did straight up from the Pacific Ocean, there were very few spaces for beaches or natural harbors. So, he said, finding a suitable location for a desalination plant might be very difficult indeed. [Donald H. Harrison]
Fiction: Jewish perspectives on Niue Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Fiction, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem honors non-Jews who chose to save Jews, even at the risk of their own lives. Yad Vashem does not honor, document or recognize Jews who saved other Jews during the Holocaust, even at the risk of their own lives. Honoring Jews who saved Jews was and is not part of its mandate. Were not their life-risking efforts worthy of memorialization? There is no memorial to Jews who saved Jews and others, in Israel, or anywhere. [Jerry Klinger]
We need a memorial for Jews who saved Jews and others Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, USA
With less than two months to go until election, Democratic candidates in technically non-partisan local races are touting endorsements from big-name Democrats. For example, Assemblyman Todd Gloria, who is running for mayor of San Diego against City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, is sending out a short video showing U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for vice president, endorsing him. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]
San Diego races attract big-name endorsers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Laurie Baron, Ph.D, rounds up streaming programs of Jewish interest for scholars and lay people, from Sunday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 11
Streaming Jewish Programs (Sept. 6-11) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26-29:8) –From this parasha, I have chosen four passages concerning first fruits, tithing, divine treasures, and iron use for comparison, from the internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: first fruits, tithing, divine treasures, iron use Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East
The fact that the UAE conditioned its recognition of Israel on freezing any further annexation is considerably important. It offers the Palestinians the opportunity to move forward and enter into unconditional negotiations now, while there will be no further annexation of Palestinian land. Even though Prime Minister Netanyahu said the halt on further annexation is temporary, once the Palestinians agree to negotiate in good faith, they will make it impossible for any Israeli government to annex any territory without risking normalization of relations with other Arab states. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Palestinians should quickly negotiate with Israelis Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastSchool, High Holidays, travel to Uman. They are all problematic, and causing squabbles for us, as well as the government of Ukraine with its Jewish President. Most immediate is the opening of school, set for today. Until now we’ve been wondering about a teachers strike, the prospect of paying an extra several thousand teachers and aides to allow smaller classes, and how the various grades will be treated with respect to masks, teaching in class or from home, as well as the thousands of students still without computers or internet connections that would allow some kind of distant learning. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israel muddled by coronavirus, school openings, High Holidays Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
Today, television news reported that there were three more deaths in San Diego County from COVID-19, and that all three victims were in their 80s “with underlying conditions.”
This phrase, “with underlying conditions,” apparently is meant to make some people feel better about the death toll. It sends the message that if you are young and healthy, without any underlying conditions, you’re safe from the disease. But it sends a different message to those of us who are older and have thus far survived our battles with “underlying conditions.” It tells us that if we die from COVID-19, it won’t be so important; it’s less of a tragedy. After all, we had underlying conditions. [Donald H. Harrison]
On behalf of those ‘with underlying conditions’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister, announced his retirement as a result of deteriorating health. Japan recognized Israel in 1952, but for many years they did not have strong relations, as Japan was a major trading partner of the Arab League, which supplied oil to Japan. Over time, however, Japan and Israel have strengthened their ties, particularly since 2014 when the two countries increased their security, economic, and political cooperation following a visit to Japan by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2018, Prime Minister Abe and his wife visited Israel, and while the trip was considered to be successful, there was one diplomatic gaffe by the Israelis. What happened that upset Abe and his wife and the Japanese staff and diplomats? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Shinzo Abe Read More »
International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Menachem Begin made peace with Egypt, Yitzhak Rabin made peace with Jordan. The normalization of the relationship between Israel and the Emirates should have put Binyamin Netanyahu in the same league as his distinguished predecessors. Though, unlike the Emirates, Egypt and Jordan had been at war with Israel and peace with them has remained a cold peace, normalization with the Emirates carries great promise of normalization with its neighbors and a relationship that will benefit both countries. It is also likely to shield us from Iran. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
UAE deal gains no adulation for Bibi Read More »
Middle East
Holocaust survivor Gidon Lev had written a memoir but he needed an editor. Julie Gray, who had recently made Aliyah to Israel, had a background as a writer for magazines and periodicals. Even though Lev had children older than Gray, their relationship became more than a work match; the two would travel together, become lovers and lifelong companions, and produce a joint memoir that was both an exploration of Lev’s experiences and Gray’s reaction to them. [Book review by Donald H. Harrison]
Memoir of a Holocaust survivor, Kibbutznik, lover Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USAThe contempt that is showered on our people has been unremitting, not just here in San Diego but around the country. It is part of a process, conspired in by right-wing and left-wing extremists, to normalize Jew-hatred. Our community really needs to be on guard. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Increasing instances of Jew-hatred mar country Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Democratic Central Committee will vote on Tuesday, Sept. 1, on a resolution dealing with anti-Semitism. A previous meeting on the subject indicates that there is considerable opposition to the resolution among some of the committee’s membership. By Matthew Finkelstein SAN DIEGO — I knew some in the San Diego
San Diego Democrats to vote on anti-Semitism Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA