International

Charles Ray at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

By Sam Ben-Meir Charles Ray (b. 1953) — undoubtedly one of the most conceptually and visually breathtaking sculptors alive today — is enjoying something of cultural moment at present, with four exhibitions on two continents, including “Charles Ray: Figure Ground” at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Throughout his career, Ray has been engaged in […]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir, USA

Uvalde Ricochets

By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — I suspect Vladimir Putin of planning the mass shooting in Uvalde to overshadow news coverage of the war in Ukraine. The Texas legislature is considering a bill to arm fetuses with tiny Derringers. It plans to drum up popular support for the measure with the slogan, “The only thing

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Lawrence Baron, Opinion, USA

The Bitter Laughter and Tragic Fate of the First Writer of Anti-Soviet Jokes

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The German historian and political scientist Otto-Ernst Schüddekopf wrote, “Walter Rathenau (the future German Foreign Minister, assassinated by the Nationalists in 1922 as one of the ‘ Elders of Zion’ – A.G.), who visited Radek in a Berlin prison in 1919 as an authority and read him his elegant

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Alex Gordon, International, Opinion

Novel Incorporates Vignettes about Patrons of a Jerusalem Café

Ehrlich’s Café Shira is an imaginative series of vignettes that take place in an establishment much like Café Tmol Shilshom, wherein the regulars at each table have their own stories. Sometimes they are interwoven with the stories of waitresses Rutha and Rona and café owner Avigdor; other times, they are in a world of their own, made known to us only by the remarkable insight and intuition of the hard-working, extremely empathetic Rutha. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle East

The Landscape Surrounding Guns in the US, Israel, and the Disputed Territories

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D   JERUSALEM — Americans are not quiet about Israel and the disputed territories. Neither are they quiet about gun deaths in their own country. Are the cases similar? No. Details, history, and explanations vary. But they are similar in reflecting serious problems. Neither country is perfect. Both have their defenders who

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USA

Larry Schwartz: Organizer of AFT Local 1931

A large crowd gathered on December 1, 1995, to rename the Quad at San Diego City College as Schwartz Square.  The gathering was in honor of history professor and American Federation of Teachers #1931 President Larry Schwartz.  He had died at age 62 of a brain tumor ten months prior to the ceremony. The dedication plaque there reads: “In memory of Larry Schwartz. He inspired students, challenged colleagues, and shared the passion and action of his time.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

From Jerusalem to Shusha: Jewish and Muslim Allies Can Stand Together

By Jacob Kamaras (JNS) With the latest wave of Palestinian terrorism, the tensions that surround the Temple Mount and the firestorm of unverified allegations against Israel that followed the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the leadup to this year’s observance of Jerusalem Day on May 28-29 has been tumultuous. Yet as they

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International, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, Opinion, USA

Guns and Poses: Reflections on the Uvalde Shooting

By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — There’s a national gun crisis when: The NRA has more influence than the PTA. Russia’s bombing of markets and schools generates bipartisan cooperation on aiding Ukraine, whereas domestic massacres result in partisan polarization over common sense gun regulation. You can purchase a rifle privately without a background check when

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Lawrence Baron, Opinion, USA

Israel, Turkey to Strengthen Ties After Meeting of Foreign Ministers

Published by DPA Israel and Turkey want to strengthen their economic ties through diplomatic rapprochement, the countries’ foreign ministers said at a historic meeting on Wednesday. Closer cooperation could also help to better deal with differences of opinion, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said at a meeting with his counterpart Yair Lapid in Jerusalem. Çavuşoğlu

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Middle East

American Nakba

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — A new play to top the absurdity of “Springtime for Hitler:” “Rashida Resurrects the Nakba Legacy.” Or, “A Night at the Nakba.” Leave it to Rep. Rashida Tlaib to inspire a play that ennobles and validates the Arab failure to massacre Israel’s Jews 74 years ago — through America’s

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Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, Opinion, USA

Graduate Students Convene to Discuss Integral Role of Israel in Contemporary Jewish Life

(JNS Wire) A group of 71 graduate students from North America and Israel came together at Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL, as part of The iCenter’s Master’s Concentration in Israel Education program, iFellows, which nurtures and challenges the next generation of knowledgeable and passionate educational leaders committed to the integral role of Israel

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Burden of High Expectations, or Kleptopatria: That Was in Kiev

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — “Kleptomania” in Greek is a morbid craving for theft, “kleptocracy” is the power of thieves, “kleptopatria” is the theft of the homeland, the taking away of the country from people born and raised in it, whose ancestors have lived in it for generations, people brought up on its culture,

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Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History

Can the Current Israeli Government Survive?

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D   JERUSALEM — An Arab woman, a member of Meretz, announced her resignation from the government. Her situation is complex. She’s not likely to be attracted to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and she’s not committing herself to vote to disband the government. She indicates that the government hasn’t done enough

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion