The Cities that Built the Bible by Robert R. Cargill, HarperOne, 2016 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DOMEYROT, France — This overview of the history of the Ancient Near East as it relates to the events described in the Bible is written in a language that is accessible to any reader who is not an expert in archaeology […]
A modern history of the ancient Middle East Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By Irv Jacobs, MD LA JOLLA, California — Dr. Itamar Kahn is a distinguished Israeli professor at the Technion, focused on Neuro-degenerative diseases research, at its Prince Center. His biography is most unusual. Interest early on, with a B.S. in computer science from Ben Gurion University, gave him an entrée into neurosurgery operating rooms, where
When neurons fail to signal, ailments develop Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
LOS ANGELES — StandWithUs, the pro-Israel group which offers intellectual debate to Israel’s campus detractors, has issued an “Action Alert” warning against a proposed school curriculum in California that supports the anti-Israel movement. The organization issued the following notice: The State of California is currently reviewing a model Ethnic Studies curriculum, which openly promotes hateful boycotts against Israel
Stand With Us issues ‘action alert’ on ethnic studies Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Story by Donald H. Harrison; Photos by Shor M. Masori SAN DIEGO — Ziv Ayalon, the new director-general of the Tisch Family Zoo in Jerusalem – known popularly as the Biblical Zoo and as the Jerusalem Zoo– said Tuesday he had a special reason for wanting to accompany six Israeli teens to San Diego
Teens, officials fete San Diego and Jerusalem Zoos Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, USA
By H. Applebaum SAN DIEGO — When I moved to a small city in the South, a place with a long-standing Jewish community, I was disappointed that there was no place to buy kosher meat. There were both Conservative and Reform congregations, yet there was not enough demand. At least the local supermarket carried Hebrew
This campaign is BIG (Buy Israeli Goods) Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration’s presentation of an economic plan — rather than a political plan — for the Palestinians was generally mocked or dismissed. As it percolates, however, it appears the administration, as is its habit, was reading trends. The formulation takes an axe to the notion that all plans,
U.S. going around P.A. to the people Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’re past the due date for final party alignments and lists of candidates. It was a scramble the last few days, and the big view to September 17th election is that the results look like the last time, more or less. Beginning on the left, Meretz combined with Ehud Barak,
Six weeks to Israel’ election, it’s a muddle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer KFAR SAVA, Israel — There is concern today by many in Israel that some Israelis are unappreciative of their Jewish heritage. Author and journalist Shmuel Rosner has challenged this by suggesting a new paradigm for most of us, whom he calls, “Jewsraelis.” Since Israel’s independence in 1948, Israelis have changed radically. There
What is a ‘Jewsraeli’? Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Avigdor Lieberman has stated publicly that because of his endeavor to promote a national unity government (consisting – of course- of himself, Likud, and Blue and White), Likud may have to choose another leader. He mentioned Yuli Edelstein, the current Speaker of the Knesset. In response, the Likud party
Likud members swear fealty to Bibi Read More »
Middle EastBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The ongoing anti-Jewish/anti-Israel movement is finding enablers in credible people and institutions in America. Namely, civil rights icon and U.S. Rep. John Lewis; Sen. Elizabeth Warren; and The New York Times. The use of enablers is sure to inch our nation closer to the political debacle that has
Lewis, Warren, and the New York Times pile on Israel Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Our cousins, Harry and Sherry Jacobson-Beyer of Louisville, Kentucky, paid us a visit, bringing along their 14-year-old grandson, Ethan Jacobson, of Fairhope, Alabama. Together, with Nancy’s and my grandson, Sky, 12, we visited the Reuben E. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The boys went off in
When our Sky ‘met’ Albert Einstein Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — A chance remark made by one of my fellow-pupils in the weekly German-language class I attend in my neighborhood retirees’ club aroused my curiosity. Thus I learned about the activities of a group of Israelis who have made it their mission to assist Palestinians whose children require advanced
Israeli volunteers help Palestinians with medical issues Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The recent Arrow 3 missile test in Alaska, announced on Sunday, was nearly taken out by a rogue. Not a rogue missile, mind you, but a rogue amendment to the to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Earlier this month, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) proposed the following language: “None of
Frankel nearly undoes U.S. – Israel cooperation Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Most of the twenty-or-so political parties in Israel wouldn’t pass the post in elections. To have a chance of at least their leaders to get elected, they come together in joint lists. The reason why they’re separate to start with seems to have more to do with ego than with
And the Israeli political parties are at the gate Read More »
Middle East