By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Routines are everywhere, with everyone. Almost all our waking hours we are employing one or another. How we brush our teeth, fix our breakfast, drive to where we’ve been before, get ready for bed. They are crucial for government and politics. Just as an individual cannot be bothered to ponder at […]
Israel, P.A. locked into routines Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Joe Gandelman SAN DIEGO — If there is ever a movie that cries out for being seen NOW it’s filmmaker Robert Rippberger’s 7 Days in Syria. When it was completed some months ago it was a solid documentary about the Syrian Civil War that took you so inside the devastation that you could almost
Why Jews should feel compassion for Syrian refugees Read More »
Jewish History, Joe Gandelman, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Recent discussions on the Internet deal with the moral question concerning asylum for Syrian refugees. This issue is especially a matter of concern for the European countries as well. More specifically for Jews, is the comparison between Syrians of today and the German Jewish refugees
Bring in persecuted Syrian groups first Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
By Steve Diamond SAN DIEGO — The email ad for the first annual Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Cycling Tour of Israel appeared in my inbox in early August – and immediately caught my eye. I’m a retired U.S. Navy senior officer, and my daughter, Rami, just finished her service as a Lone
Pushing pedals, raising morale in Israel Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, Sports & CompetitionsHummus a long time favorite in the Middle East (JNS.org) The Middle East has gone through monumental changes over thousands of years, but one thing has never changed: an affinity for hummus. This conclusion was reached after fava seeds were discovered during an excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in the Galilee, showing
Middle East Roundup: Nov. 24, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy David Amos SAN DIEGO — The second half of October, just a month ago, turned out to be very special. From the 19th to the 23rd, I was invited to conduct the London Philharmonic in the city’s Abbey Road Studios. The following week takes only one word: Israel. Here are the details of both destinations.
Recording in England, resting in Israel Read More »
International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsAvis refuses to rent car over businessman’s Israeli identity (JNS.org) The Avis car rental agency refused to provide an Israeli businessman with a rental vehicle because of his Israeli identity, the New York Observer reported Sunday. Dov Bergwerk, a senior executive at Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva, said that on Friday he and his wife
Middle East Roundup: Nov. 23, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The masses respond to heroes. No surprise that politicians participate in the celebration. Either it’s because they, too, believe, or they see the gain or loss of votes if they go along with, ignore, or express doubts to the crowd. It goes back to the gods of the Greeks and other pagans,
In U.S. Pollard is a traitor; in Israel he’s a hero Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Dane Chapin SAN DIEGO — Following is a speech we wish President Obama had given on Nov. 14, the day after the Paris massacre: Last night, 129 people were savagely and summarily executed on the streets of Paris. Hundreds more were injured, many will be maimed for life. Before I discuss how the United States of
The speech he wishes Obama gave Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Laurie Baron MARGATE, New Jersey — Foreign observers have been surprised by the ferocity of the French government’s response to the terrorist attack on Paris. ISIS should have anticipated this is what would happen if it threatened the French while they were eating and drinking at cafes, attending concerts, or watching soccer. After all,
Humoring the headlines: Nov. 21, 2015 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This Middle East is new. It’s much different from a decade ago, and even more so when compared to years earlier. It may not look like the dream and slogans made popular by Shimon Peres and Barack Obama. They can quarrel who owns the label. Both have urged economic, social, and political
It’s not Shimon’s nor Barack’s ‘New Middle East’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Kenneth Bandler NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) denounced the American Anthropological Association (AAA) for supporting a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. The boycott resolution was adopted by a vote of 1,040 to 136 at the group’s annual meeting in Denver. “The AAA’s mission is ‘advancing knowledge and solving human problems,’”
AJC denounces boycotts, proposals to register Muslims Read More »
Middle East, USAJonathan Pollard released after 30 years in prison (JNS.org) After spending 30 years in a U.S. federal prison, American-Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard was freed on parole Friday, one day ahead of schedule to allow him to observe Shabbat. “The people of Israel welcome the release of Jonathan Pollard,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
Middle East Report: November 20, 2015 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — Is there another city in the world that draws as much controversy as Jerusalem? I-max film director Daniel Ferguson spent five years making Jerusalem and “nothing came easily.” The first challenge was to get their mixed crew of Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians to work through their distrust of one another
‘Jerusalem’ explores holy sites of 3 religions Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast