Middle East

It’s tough being a Zionist on many campuses

I wonder if I would have survived in college back in the 1960s if the animus on campus toward Jews and Israel were as great as it is today. Two examples of the kind of hatred and bigotry that Jewish students face can be found at the University of Southern California, up in Los Angeles, and across the country at Florida State University in Tallahassee. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, USA

Adin Steinsaltz, translator of Talmud, other Jewish texts

JERUSALEM (Press Release) – Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, one of the greatest commentators on Judaism of our generation, died Friday in Jerusalem, aged 83, after suffering from acute pneumonia. Rabbi Steinsaltz was born in Jerusalem in 1937. After graduating in chemistry and physics from the Hebrew University, he began his career as an educator and

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials

The revival of Jew-hatred in the U.S.

The rise in terrorism perpetrated by Islamists around the world is blamed on Israel, as are the problems of the Middle East. Even blood libels against Jews are common again, such as Jews having spread the current pandemic to make money. Media personalities – athletes, rappers, actors, and other “celebrities” – make/spread atrocious comments about Jews with little or no backlash. To top it off, younger, Jewish, so-called intellectuals, writers, entertainers, and others have taken to disparaging Israel and undermining their co-religionists for the sake of – what? [Steve Kramer]

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Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Morocco a model for U.S. multiculturalism

As the United States embraces improving race-relations, Black culture and heritage become more than just an expression of the Black community, but something that is inherently all-American. As the movement brings light to nationwide change, it may be helpful to consider the methods of Moroccan multiculturalism, where cultural protection is tied to development, limiting socioeconomic divides and welcoming diversity. [Jacqueline Skalski-Fouts]

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International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

Gratitude to the One Who makes it all possible

After eating a fine meal at a friend’s home, we go out of our way to thank the host, send a thank you note, sometimes even send a gift after the meal, if we haven’t brought one in advance. But how much time do we spend thanking the true Host? In Birkat HaMazon, we have an opportunity to bring this week’s teaching alive, “And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good land He has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10). If you believe Hashem plays a personal role in your life and you genuinely recognize that whatever you have comes through His hand, you’re likely to be filled with Hakarat Hatov, recognizing the good, gratitude. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Michael Mantell, Middle East

Five challenges to participatory development

Today, the people-driven approach to development is widely considered a way to create sustainable projects to advance economic growth, education, and health. However, it is not without its challenges and limitations, and has therefore been met with several pervading criticisms. For those of us who support and encourage participatory development (PD), we must ask ourselves what we need to do in order to ensure maximally productive and life-enhancing experiences for the communities with which we work, in the time we are in. (Yossef Ben-Meir, Ph.D)

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International, Lifestyles, Middle East, Yossef Ben-Meir

Pandemic, opposition to Netanyahu mark August

Dog days of August? Or political morass, with no effective leadership? And wandering amidst a pandemic that can be ignored. By some. Israel has recently been mired in a quarrel as to whether to budget for one year or two. The major parties are divided. And if they do not solve the issue this month, they will come up against a deadline that will dissolve the Knesset and require an election. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Wi-Charge may make charging truly wireless

Numerous attempts have been made to make wireless electricity a reality. Finally, I think the technology is not only becoming a reality but will be available to most consumers. Via Zoom, I chatted with Ori Mor, CEO of Wi-Charge, to discuss his company and the new technology that it has created. In essence, Wi-Charge has developed a wireless power source that can be put anywhere in a room and, via an infrared frequency, recharge any electric device that has been fitted with a tiny receiver that is within a direct line of sight. [Shor M. Masori]

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Business & Finance, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, USA

Pandemics through history and the religious response

In his newest book, God and the Pandemic, Rabbi Samuel starts with a historical look at plagues in antiquity, comparing and contrasting leadership skills combating them, praising Marcus Aurelius, a stoic, for guiding his nation through the Antonine Plague in the second century, and condemning Roman emperors in the following century for failing to protect the citizenry during the Plague of Cyprian. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USA

Coronavirus chaos infects Israeli politics

Coronavirus is a puzzle. Or several of them. Individuals in health differ on several issues: Who is most and least likely to become infected? Can a person who is cured become ill with it again? Is it possible to produce a vaccine? Or do repeated bouts by individuals indicate that there is no way to achieve immunity? How accurate are the tests for having the disease? What about programs to trace contacts, in order to decide how someone became infected? How long should someone be quarantined? (Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D)

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education