Published by Reuters (Reuters) – Russian missiles pounded more than 40 Ukrainian cities and towns, officials said on Thursday, as NATO allies meeting in Brussels unveiled plans to beef up Europe’s air defences after committing more military aid to Kyiv. DIPLOMACY * The United States reaffirmed its commitment to defend “every inch” of NATO territory […]
Ukraine and Russia: What You Need to Know Right Now Read More »
International
Published by Reuters By Lamine Chikhi and Nidal al-Mughrabi ALGIERS/GAZA (Reuters) – Rival Palestinian factions meeting in Algiers for talks mediated by the Algerian government agreed on Thursday to resolve 15 years of discord through elections that will be held within a year, a Palestinian and an Algerian official said. However, there was scepticism back
Palestinian Rivals Agree on Elections to End Dispute, But Doubts Persist Read More »
Middle East
UC San Diego Literature Prof. Amelia Glaser, who has specialized in Jewish studies, will lecture on “Babyn Yar in Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego. The lecture focuses on the Nazi execution of 33,771 Jews at a ravine Sept. 29-30, 1941, and the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s memorial poem written 20 years later. [Temple Emanu-El News Release]
Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History
(Press Release) For the first time ever, learners can experience a full digital, English translation of the Mishneh Torah interconnected with other Jewish texts, thanks to Sefaria, a non-profit organization that digitizes and freely shares Jewish texts in Hebrew and in translation. The Mishneh Torah, authored by Rambam (Maimonides) in the Medieval era, consists of
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It is astounding how Israel’s foes have assembled an immense if bulky movement in America and Canada to advocate for the Palestinian cause. A great many people support this cause, and their strength is in the numbers. They have developed an extensive network of Americans and Canadians who genuinely
The Anti-Israel Wall Can Crumble Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA
Yoni Avi Battat’s debut album, Fragments, explores his Arab-Jewish identity through nine selections. He composed the music for seven of them, delving into the Arabic melodies of his grandparent’s native Iraq for inspiration and including native instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), qanun (chordaphone with many strings), nay (reed flute), riq (tambourine), frame drum, karakeb (large iron castenets), darbuka (goblet shaped drum) and joza (coconut shell fiddle held on knee). [Eileen Wingard]
Arab-Jewish Musician Releases CD Exploring His Heritages Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Envoy Hochstein, in the tradition of American negotiators in Israel’s sphere, has proposed that it accept 100% of Lebanon’s demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some minor concessions to Israel. In any event, Hezbollah rejects the entire agreement, adding additional requirements. Acting Prime Minister Lapid had immediately commented favorably on the proposed deal, although the opposition vehemently disagrees. (Steve Kramer]
US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
The Americans were given the task of producing a draft agreement, and the man they chose for doing the deal is a Jew, a former Israeli, and veteran of the IDF, who subsequently moved to Washington and joined the State Department. Amos Hochstein expresses the mix of Israeli and American identities. He’s produced something that seems reasonable, especially given Israel’s economic strength and Lebanon’s economic desperation. [Ira Sharkansky]
Offshore Gas Deal Seems Fair, Though Ill-Timed Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, USA
By Rafael Medoff The latest film from Ken Burns, “The U.S. and the Holocaust,” has aroused controversy with its claim that President Franklin D. Roosevelt did his best to help save Jews from the Nazis. As Donald Harrison notes in his October 5 column, filmmakers Burns, Sarah Botstein, and Lynn Novick contend that “FDR would
Getting it Wrong on FDR and the Holocaust Read More »
Holocaust, International, Opinion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Nearly four years after 11 congregants were slain at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Dr. Mehmet Oz is demonizing his Pennsylvania Senate rival from nearby Braddock for seeking the release of more convicts from prison. In the process, Oz unwittingly triggers thoughts of an advanced approach to
Gun-Violence Accomplices, in Congress? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USA
Many readers of San Diego Jewish World know Baron via his political satire columns, but I asked my colleague to put his hat back on as a Holocaust scholar to assess how well Burns’ documentary had covered the subject.[Donald H. Harrison]
Pros and Cons of Ken Burns’ Holocaust Documentary Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — The selection of Giorgia Meloni as the Italian prime minister has produced a slew of commentary, pointing to the ascendance of the right across a number of polities. And where is Israel’s Labor Party? Once the selector of the country’s prime ministers, but the last was Ehud Barak,
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — I received a pre-publication copy for review of A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra Built a Global Financial Empire, by Daniel Gross, from the publisher’s representative. It’s a fascinating look at both Sephardic Jews and the banking industry. “Rather than a biography of a single man this
The Syrian-Born Jew Who Built a Banking Empire Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — Over 10 years ago, I wanted to make an offer to buy a house in New Jersey and the agent told me to submit my offer in the form of a signed contract. She explained – and my lawyer subsequently confirmed – that upon the seller’s acceptance of the offer, my
Before Signing on the Dotted Line… Read More »
Business & Finance, Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Opinion