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 East
Two 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, & Education
The 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
For over twenty-five years Marla Leigh Goldstein has been a proponent of the frame drum in the world music community, and she brings to us, from the land of Israel, her superb debut album The Rhythms of Tof Miriam, released on May 15th. The title track, seen above, is available as a music video on YouTube, so make sure to whet your musical appetite with the resonant frame drum beats of Marla Leigh, accompanied by the highest order of musicianship of the ensemble (oud, mandol, ney, kamancheh, and cello), before delving into the full album, available on a variety of musical platforms, including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. [Omer Zalmanowitz]
The enchantment of ‘Rhythms of Tof Miriam’ Read More »
Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Rabbi Andrew Baker, an official with both the American Jewish Committee and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), says because of the coronavirus pandemic, there probably will be a drop in anti-Semitic incidents in 2020. However, this is because potential targets, such as synagogues and Jewish schools, have been closed during the pandemic. When re-opened, he said, they may become targets again. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
AJC rabbi fights international anti-Semitism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire
There is only one way to break this cycle: Return to the negotiating table. It is far more up to the Palestinians than Israel. If they are serious about seeking an independent state. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Roadblocks to Israeli-Palestinian peace Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
Israelis and Palestinians remain intensely distrustful of one another and blame the other for the lingering impasse. They now face a fateful crossroad and must reassess their positions. Israel must accept that the Palestinians are not a perpetual mortal enemy and that an agreement can be reached which guarantees its national security. The Palestinians must abandon some of their old and tired demands, which have proven to be fatal to all previous peace negotiations. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Israelis, Palestinians must abandon long-held positions Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastAfter more than a year of a temporary Netanyahu administration and three inconclusive general elections – and in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic – a new and allegedly stable government is to be sworn in tonight. It may bring a measure of relief to some of us, but it will bring joy to very few other than the prime minister and his coterie. Critics have many cogent arguments against the arrangement; I am among those who still hope that they are at least partly wrong. Even without the social and economic mayhem caused by the pandemic, Israel needed stability. It needs it much more so now. It is inconceivable that it could endure yet another general election in the foreseeable future. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
The new government of Israel, God help us Read More »
Middle EastNow we’re on the verge. This week Likud and Blue and White are scheduled to install a government, scheduled to last for four and one half years. Bibi will be Prime Minister for a year and one half; then Gantz for a year and one half; then Bibi; then Gantz. The Supreme Court has approved the deal. [Ira sharkansky, Ph.D]
Now, a new government amid a pandemic Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Two jails-separated by thousands of miles-reflect two 20th century struggles for independence. The irony lies in the fact that these two geographically distant fights for freedom were against the same harsh ruler and jailer, the British Crown. Today, neither Israel’s Central Prison Jerusalem (C.P.J.) nor Northern Ireland’s Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast house inmates, but even as museums, their powerful histories continue to echo in the halls and cells. [Deborah Rubin Fields]
Two jails: One tough jailer Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and Food