Now that Israel finally has a government, a centrist unity government at that, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu will finally face trial in Jerusalem District Court, where he is accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial, which was delayed by repeated elections and the coronavirus, will begin on Sunday, May 24. The investigation of Netanyahu began in 2016. [Steve Kramer]
Netanyahu in the dock Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
“Iftar” is the break-the-fast meal at sunset each night during the Muslim month of Ramadan. Ordinarily, participants–often including welcomed non-Muslims–will eat a prodigious meal together and share family stories and high points. On Thursday, two organizations teamed up to host a different kind of Iftar that brought together celebrants from around the world and from several different religions. [Donald H. Harrison]
30 leaders gather for an interfaith Iftar Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, The World We Share, USA
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spent the hours leading to the Sabbath last Friday by having Israel’s back while getting his inspector general off his back. Israel’s reputation has long been impaired in part by the concept of intersectionality, and what happened Friday exemplifies how resentment of President Trump can undermine support for Israel. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Republicans’ domestic record hurts Israel’s cause Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
The administrations [of Hebrew day schools] wanted the students to understand what it was to be an American, what the sacrifice of our Soldiers was all about and how Jewish Soldiers honorably served their Nation. They took great pride in knowing that we as Jewish-Americans served and continuing to serve, bleed, and die for our Nation. To this day, an Orthodox Hebrew day school in Rockland County displays at their entrance a six feet by five feet Iraq battle flag from the 101st Airborne Division that I sent them in 2003. They display it so that all their students, staff and faculty will not forget the sacrifice of our Jewish Soldiers to their Nation. {Rabbi Carlos Huerta]
If you cut me, I bleed American Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
By Sarah Stern EMET Founder and President WASHINGTON, D.C — In quoting Former Vice President Joe Biden’s remarks on a call with donors, EMET shared that Biden stated, “Criticism of Israel’s policies is not anti-Semitism. But too often that criticism morphs into anti-Semitism.” He further stated, “We have to condemn anti-Semitism (on the left) And
EMET founder calls on Biden to rebuke anti-Semitism in Democratic party Read More »
Middle East, USA
In Israel we are just beginning to feel the easing of the strict lockdown rules. At the recent very low-key Independence Day celebrations one of the individuals honoured with lighting one of the twelve flames which traditionally mark the opening of the day’s events declared how much she missed being able to see, hug and kiss her grandchildren. That must have triggered something in the national psyche, as not long afterwards the Prime Minister announced – as part of the easing of restrictions – that grandchildren will henceforth be able to visit their grandparents, though still keeping a safe distance. I doubt that any other national leader has included that particular facet of family life in their official announcements about relaxing coronavirus restrictions. Well done, popular entertainer Tzippi Shavit! [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Hanging out with hubby at home in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
Next Sunday, Binyamin Netanyahu is about to make history, but not of the kind for which he wants to be remembered. The court just ordered him to appear in person at the opening of his trial on three charges of breach of trust, accepting bribes and fraud. This will be the first time in the history of the State of Israel that a prime minister will be in the dock while in office. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu trial to make history, possibly tumult Read More »
Middle East
I have chosen three passages from this parasha (Bamidbar) for comparison with ancient pagan practices, from internet sources. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Censuses, war camps and first-born redemptions in the ancient world Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
As the only daily Jewish news outlet in our county, San Diego Jewish World has made it a mission to keep track of important races in the county in which members of the Jewish community will be runoff candidates in the November general election. Now, with the nation, state, and local governments all in the process of looking beyond the coronavirus pandemic to the recovery of the economy, candidates for mayor, Congress, and the County Board of Supervisors are again making news. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Local political races re-energized Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
For the first time in more than a year, Israel has a government approved by the Knesset, instead of a series of continuing governments with limited authority to make policy.
The last day and hours before the announcement was a mess, with announcements of who would get what ministry, by Gantz and even more by Netanyahu, with several prominent disappointments among those left out. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Featherbedding key to Israeli coalition Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastTwo grocery store incidents in Santee earlier this month in which a man wearing the hood of the Ku Klux Klan, and a man and woman wearing masks featuring swastikas, continue to reverberate. San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher proposed that a countywide Human Relations Commission be re-established and empowered to look into such incidents, and the San Diego Union-Tribune ran three opinion pieces Monday on the incidents and their impact on the City of Santee. In another response to hate, the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) arranged for 25 olive trees to be planted at Kfar Silver Youth Village in southern Israel in memory of Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was murdered when a gunman attacked Chabad of Poway on the last day of Passover in 2019. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego County, nation, respond to hate incidents Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Eva Trieger, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAShavua tov! Shavua Tov! A good week! A good week! In Voorhees, New Jersey, Cantor Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and her daughter Rebecca have often led Havdalah services by Zoom from their porch since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic This last Saturday night, May 16, was no different. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Havdalah from the porch of a celebrated cantor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
A unique cooperation this week between Israeli and Palestinian doctors, as well as authorities from both sides, saved the life of two-year-old Lama Abu Dalal from Gaza. [Press release from Save A Child’s Heart]
Gaza infant has open heart surgery in Israel Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationThe new government, due to have been sworn in last Thursday, was only sworn in this afternoon. In his speech in the Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated many of the platitudes expected on such an occasion, but doing it with skill and experience, he sounded almost convincing. However, telling us that among his sources of inspiration and guidance are his wife and his sons, no doubt made many Israelis uncomfortable. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Misgivings as Israel’s new government is sworn in Read More »
Middle East