Middle East

Biden’s victories reassure Jews worried about Sanders

Maybe now the threat of anti-Semitism – government-sanctioned anti-Semitism, to be specific – could be slackening with Bernie Sanders’s slackening presidential campaign. American Jews feared that a Bernie Sanders presidency would intensify the anti-Semitic movement that has been haunting our country, especially during the past few years. Had Sanders swept Super Tuesday states last week, we should still be worried. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Biden’s victories reassure Jews worried about Sanders Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Many S.D. Jewish institutions announcing coronavirus precautions

More and more Jewish organizations in San Diego County are announcing precautions and responses to the coronavirus pandemic, including Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Jewish National Fund, Lawrence Family JCC, Ohr Shalom Synagogue, Seacrest Village Retirement Community, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, and Western Jewish Studies Association. Following in alphabetical order, is a report about each. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Many S.D. Jewish institutions announcing coronavirus precautions Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israelis mobilize to assist Italy’s Jews

As Italy grapples with the novel Coronavirus, the Chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Isaac Herzog, and Chairman of Keren Hayesod, Sam Grundwerg, spoke with leaders of the country’s Jewish communities in Rome and Milan to voice their solidarity with those affected. The community leaders described the challenges and threats they are facing, and their immediate needs. [Press release from the Jewish Agency of Israel]

Israelis mobilize to assist Italy’s Jews Read More »

International, Middle East

Purim in the House of Mozes

Purim was celebrated this year in Israel and perhaps elsewhere also as a respite from worrying about the spread of the coronavirus (epidemic? pandemic? panic?). In the old-age home (pardon: “parents’ home; golden age residence; 55 and better”) where my wife and I live, the residents put on a splendid Purim Spiel depicting Biblical characters from the Creation until Queen Esther and beyond. In the presentation, God spoke in English with a marked non-British accent. Delilah was suitably dressed but appeared with her walker. Etc. etc. etc. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]

Purim in the House of Mozes Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East

Jewish Federation monitoring CDC’s meetings advice

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County “at this time” does not plan to cancel any of its meetings or events in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “However,” assured Michael Jeser, its CEO and president, “should the situation warrant, we will inform participants immediately if another decision is made.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Federation monitoring CDC’s meetings advice Read More »

Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Travel and Food, USA

Awe struck by 13-year-old Israeli cellist

I felt blessed to experience the extra-ordinary talent of the young Israeli cellist, Nahar Eliaz last Saturday evening in the sanctuary of Congregation Beth Am. Her’s was meaningful music-making of the highest order, music that touched the heart and replenished the soul. There was no awareness of technique. Every pitch was perfectly in tune, every dynamic, judiciously observed, every phrase, fluently expressed with natural ease. But it was more. The music had excitement, passion, and beauty. [Eileen Wingard]

Awe struck by 13-year-old Israeli cellist Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Coalition-building and coronavirus in Israel’s top news

Election night was a time for Bibi to declare a big victory. Likud outpolled Blue and White, but Likud plus its right wing block didn’t make it to 61 seats. Final results look like this:
Likud 36 seats; Blue and White 33 seats; United Arab List 15 seats; SHAS 9 seats; United Torah Judaism 7 seats; Meretz-Labor 7 seats; Israel Our Home (Lieberman) 7 seats; Yamina (Bennett, Shaked, Peretz, Smotrich) 6 seats. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

Coalition-building and coronavirus in Israel’s top news Read More »

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

March of Living postponed; 12 local residents affected

Eight students and four adult leaders from San Diego County who had expected to participate during April in the annual “March of the Living” – a two-week trip including the concentration camps in Poland and a visit to the nation of Israel – have received news that the journey has been cancelled because of the coronavirus. [Our shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

March of Living postponed; 12 local residents affected Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Marcia Tatz Wollner, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

It may be Tibi, not Bibi, in a winning coalition

Will Israel’s next government be led by Bibi Netanyahu, the longest serving prime minister in the history of Israel, or will it be dominated by Ahmad Tibi, the leader of one of the factions in the Joint Arab List in the Knesset, a man whom many Israelis love to hate? Though the Corona pandemic dominates the news also in Israel, the media here have also much to say about politicians, including allegations that some of them try to compromise health professionals dealing with Corona in order to further their own agendas. As things look now, Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party, is likely to form a government with Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, as a disproportionately strong partner. They will be supported by the Joint Arab List, like all other Arabs seemingly despised by Lieberman. The Joint List won’t join the government but will vote with it on issues of mutual interest. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]

It may be Tibi, not Bibi, in a winning coalition Read More »

Middle East

‘No Place for Hate’ expanding to 150 local schools

The Anti-Defamation League currently partners with approximately 100 local schools in its “No Place for Hate” program, and next semester that number will go up to 150 schools, says Tammy Gillies, the ADL’s regional director in San Diego. [Our shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

‘No Place for Hate’ expanding to 150 local schools Read More »

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

Trump’s Israel policy is topsy-turvy like Purim

By Ori Nir WASHINGTON, D.C. — I heard that America’s largest hummus producer is introducing a new product: a dessert chocolate “hummus.” And on the web, you will find recipes for brownie batter “hummus,” sweet potato “hummus,” as well as “hummus” cake and “hummus” milkshake. Now listen, I know from hummus. Real hummus. My physique

Trump’s Israel policy is topsy-turvy like Purim Read More »

Middle East, USA

Local law enforcement and Israel

Israel boycott advocates in San Diego County have been attempting, so far without success, to persuade local law enforcement executives to refuse to travel with the Anti-Defamation League for familiarization with Israeli police techniques. Tammy Gillies, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said such a push was successful a few years ago in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, “where the City Council was asked to stop organized trips to Israel by law enforcement.  They passed that and it was a shock to us. … There are organizations in San Diego working very hard and lobbying our law enforcement agencies not to send people to Israel.” [Sour shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Local law enforcement and Israel Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Eva Trieger, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

AIPAC should take a gentler approach toward Israel’s critics

Hatikvah, as Israel’s national anthem, stirs tender emotions among us whenever it is played, but for others it is a provocation. Likewise, a $225 million expenditure is seen as worth the price to defend Israel, but some newly-minted members of Congress do not readily understand that. Two episodes surfaced last week that reflected missed opportunities in communication for Jewish organizations that seek to be protective of Israel. Most prominent was the sharp bickering between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Jewish and political leaders over his attacks against AIPAC and Israel’s prime minister. Despite the offensive attitudes of some Israel critics, some of this acrimony could be grounded in AIPAC’s tactics to lose friends and influence people – the wrong way about Israel. [Bruce S. Ticker]

AIPAC should take a gentler approach toward Israel’s critics Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA