Middle East

San Diego Jewish World endorses Sara Jacobs for Congress

With only nuance separating them on Middle East issues, and practically no discernible differences on domestic issues, I’ve been watching the tenor of their two campaigns to help me in my deliberations. There, I have to say, Sara Jacobs has been far more positive in her approach to the voters than Georgette Gomez. [Donald H. Harrison]

San Diego Jewish World endorses Sara Jacobs for Congress Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Many benefits to Israel-UAE agreement

It’s “early days,” but the surprise “Abraham Accord” announced by Washington has been a stunner. Against all odds, nothing leaked from any of the governments involved: Israel, the United Arab Emirates (Emirates or UAE), or the US. The Emirates-Israel peace agreement is the first one in which a non-contiguous Arab country has reconciled with Israel and which can be characterized as “peace for peace.” [Steve Kramer]

Many benefits to Israel-UAE agreement Read More »

Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Israel has Iran to ‘thank’ for UAE’s friendship

The recent much-heralded decision by the Emirates to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel is a manifestation of the principle that my enemy’s enemy should be my friend. The threat that Iran is posing to Muslim states in the region has forced many of them to seek out Israel as the power that can contain Iranian aggression. Iran may hire stooges like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza to be a nuisance – though not a real threat – to the existence of Israel, but it knows very well that a direct attack would spell suicide for Iran. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]

Israel has Iran to ‘thank’ for UAE’s friendship Read More »

Middle East, USA

A Torah giant, up close and personal

Myriads of articles and books will be written on the life and legacy of Rav Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, who passed away on Friday, the 17th of Av, and was buried on Har Hazeitim – the Mount of Olives. The diversity of people who accompanied him to his final rest spoke to the miracles he accomplished in his lifetime. Once in a generation – if we’re lucky – are we to witness to the creation of such a vast body of Torah work by one person; he has revolutionized Jewish scholarship for hundreds of thousands – perhaps millions — of people, and for future generations. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who was a keynote speaker at a dinner in honor of the Rav in 2018, said, “He was trained as a scientist but has the soul of a poet.” [Toby Klein Greenwald]

A Torah giant, up close and personal Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Toby Klein Greenwald

Newsom urged to veto Weber’s ethnic studies bill

A coalition of 90 groups, many of them Jewish, has called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto a bill by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) that would mandate students take an ethnic studies course in order to graduate from the California State University (CSU) system.  Specifically, the bill would require a course be taken in any of the following four areas: African-American Studies, Asian-American Studies,  Latinx Studies, and Native American Studies. (SDJW staff report)

Newsom urged to veto Weber’s ethnic studies bill Read More »

Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

The solidarity Israel needs to offer Lebanon

The human impact of the recent massive explosion in a port warehouse district in Beirut cannot leave anyone indifferent. It has left a gaping wound among the already maimed Lebanese population, which has suffered a prolonged existential economic crisis. The international community is questioning how the aggravated crisis in Lebanon will affect a region as volatile as the Middle East. The answer will depend entirely on Israel, on its ability to deliver what the world expects from it: to become the light to the nations and radiate that light to the region and the entire world. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

The solidarity Israel needs to offer Lebanon Read More »

Middle East

Israel, UAE sign peace accord, Trump announces

Via Twitter, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, Aug. 13, that a third Arab country, the United Arab Emirates, has agreed to a formal peace with Israel, following the lead of Egypt and Jordan, which respectively normalized relations with Israel in 1979 and 1994. Trump’s Tweet included a joint statement with Trump from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates. [Donald H. Harrison]

Israel, UAE sign peace accord, Trump announces Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Former La Jollan saves a life at son’s wedding

On Tuesday night, Aug. 11, I was dancing at my son’s beautiful wedding. We held the festivities outdoors at the Gush Etzion winery to comply with the Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions that are currently in place in Israel. The guest list was limited to very close friends and family. As I am not only a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician but also a first responder for United Hatzalah, I had my medical kit with me in the trunk of my car as is my usual practice. [David Kupferberg, M.D]

Former La Jollan saves a life at son’s wedding Read More »

Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Jews cheer, jeer Kamala Harris as Biden’s VP nominee

Back in June 2016, when California’s then Attorney General Kamala Harris was successfully campaigning for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate to succeed the retiring Barbara Boxer, I asked her at the United Domestic Workers Union Hall in San Diego about the ongoing Israel-Palestinian dispute. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews cheer, jeer Kamala Harris as Biden’s VP nominee Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Pandemic ties Israeli politicians in knots

Stumbling and kvetching. These are our themes. And perhaps not only Israel’s. Set in the context of a pandemic, as yet without a date for vaccine, along with plenty of arguments among the professionals about transmission, infection rates, treatment of the ill, and how to deal with those not yet infected. Plus plenty of politics, with paid lobbyists, articulate advocates, real suffering of those not able to work, and lots of preferences. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

Pandemic ties Israeli politicians in knots Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Hillel announces initiative to combat antisemitism

Last week, we carried the news that Rose Ritch stepped down from her position as student body vice president at the University of Southern California because of the harassment she had to endure for being a supporter of Israel.  On Monday, Hillel International announced a new initiative to train campus administrators on how to recognize and deal with antisemitism. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Hillel announces initiative to combat antisemitism Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Leichtag Foundation urges Beirut relief donations

The Encinitas, California-based Leichtag Foundation expressed shock and sadness over the Aug. 4 explosion that destroyed most of the port of Beirut, Lebanon, killing more than 150 people and leaving thousands homeless. “Responding hospitals, already stretched thin due to COVID-19 are now at overcapacity,” reported Charlene Seidle and Sharyn Goodson, respectively the Foundation’s executive vice president and vice president for philanthropy and organizational development. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Leichtag Foundation urges Beirut relief donations Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Ken Stone, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Stephen D. Bryen

A modern African-Israeli tale set in Tel Aviv

Oscar Orleans is a university-educated refugee from the Congo, who made his way to Israel, and in this mystery novel serves as a consultant to the Tel Aviv police department in cases involving other Black Africans, regardless of from which  part of the sub-Saharan continent they came.  (Donald H. Harrison)

A modern African-Israeli tale set in Tel Aviv Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East