Published by Reuters By Francisco Alvarado SURFSIDE, Fla. (Reuters) -The death toll from a partially collapsed Miami-area condominium rose by four to 32, officials said on Tuesday, as rescue workers braced for a tropical storm and relatives of a deceased family of four prepared for the disaster’s first funeral. A total of 113 people remained […]
Death toll in Miami condo collapse at 32, funeral held Read More »
USA
Published by Reuters JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel reported on Monday a decrease in the effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illness but said it remained highly effective in preventing serious illness. The decline coincided with the spread of the Delta variant and the end of social distancing restrictions in Israel.
After more than a year absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park reopened to visitors over the July 4th weekend. So named because relations among nations should be “pacific” or “peaceful” — and not a reference to the ocean that washes San Diego’s shores — The House of Pacific Relations includes the House of Israel (HOI), which marked the reopening with a flag raising ceremony. [Donald H. Harrison]
Flag Raising Marks Reopening of House of Israel in Balboa Park Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Rumsfeld was an admirer and strong supporter of Israel and a critic of PLO leader Yasser Arafat, who he felt had not really transformed from a terrorist to a statesman. However, what is one area where Rumsfeld did not support Israel? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Donald Rumsfeld Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
A party was held for Isaac Herzog on Monday, July 5, the day he officially retired as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and two days before he assumes office as the next president of the nation of Israel, succeeding Reuven Rivlin. Among those joining the celebration were Metadel Sisai, 14, an immigrant from Ethiopia, and Oliana Goodim, an 11 year old immigrant from the Ukraine. ““Even if your new surroundings seem unfamiliar to you, just remember it is your home in the same way that Israel is our home,” the two youngsters advised the incoming President. [Based on material from Jewish Agency for Israel]
Herzog Steps Down from Jewish Agency, Becomes Israel’s President on Wednesday Read More »
Middle East
I believe some of the most important unsung heroes of non-Orthodox Judaism are the spouses of pulpit rabbis. We don’t pay them, but more often than not, we expect them to devote their lives to our synagogues. We want them to attend every social occasion, be there near the front of the sanctuary on Shabbat evening and morning, to recognize all of us by first and last name, and to be able to chant the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah whenever someone is needed for an aliyah. [Donald H. Harrison]
Let’s Have Compassion for the Rabbi’s Spouse Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
Published by Reuters By Francisco Alvarado SURFSIDE, Fla. (Reuters) -The partially collapsed Miami-area condo where 24 people are confirmed dead was demolished on Sunday night, ahead of the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa. Search-and-rescue efforts for 121 people missing have been suspended. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters earlier on Sunday that
Collapsed Florida condo demolished ahead of storm, search to resume Read More »
USA
Published by DPA Dutch King Willem-Alexander paid a visit to the Anne Frank Centre in Berlin on Monday hours after arriving in the German capital on a state visit with Queen Maxima. The royal couple were also to pay a visit to the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s official disease control body that has played a
Dutch king visits Anne Frank Centre on state visit to Berlin Read More »
International
– There are a lot of questions in the air, along with hopes of some stability in both politics and health. It’s not easy to summarize, but here we go: Most of our news is about the upturn in revealed cases of COVID-19. We’re at several hundred per day, but with few hospitalizations and deaths. There’s some cases of infection among those who’ve received two inoculations, but most of those are not serious. Most infections seem to have begun with people arriving from overseas, infecting kids in schools, and then onward. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Renewed COVID-19 Concerns Focus on Israel’s Main Airport Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
As a boy, I loved hearing the story about the early childhood of my father, Martin B. Harrison, who was born on the 4th of July, 1910. To paraphrase the great Irish-American lyricist George M. Cohan, dad was a “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Until dad reached the age of 5, his parents — M. Joseph and Florence Harrison — had him persuaded that the nation held all those parades and shot off all those fireworks in celebration of his birthday. When he got to kindergarten, however, he learned the truth. The celebration was for the birth of the American nation, and not specifically for little Marty. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Thank you, America’ from the Depths of My Jewish Heart Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
In August 2016 in Berlin my younger daughter and I visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism, and Holocaust exhibits at the Jewish Museum Berlin. It seemed that Germany was doing rather well with coming to terms with the country’s horrendous crimes against Jews and others during WWII. [Phyllis Zimbler Miller]
Why I Launched a Podcast About Antisemitism Read More »
International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
It’s the 4th of July and 60 years since, at the age of 17 while in high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. My parents, refugees from Germany and Austria, reluctantly gave their consent. My family wore British and German uniforms in WWI, in WWII English, Czech and Theresienstadt garb. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]
The Vietnam Generation: A Personal Reflection Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak, San Diego County, USA
In the July 4, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–An Israeli TB diagnosis patch could save up to 1.4 million lives a year.
–Israeli experts are helping rescuers in the Miami building collapse.
–Israeli scientists have developed a material two atoms thick.
–Two Israeli startups make record-breaking public launches.
–Israeli teenagers win gold at European gymnastics competition.
–Israeli mother donates her kidney to save a Gaza boy.
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (July 4, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
The Israel advocacy organization, StandWithUs, congratulates National Education Association (NEA) members who overwhelmingly defeated a motion attacking Israel at their 2021 Representative Assembly. New Business Item 29 (NBI 29) failed with 23% of the RA voting in favor, and 77% voting against. [StandWithUs Press Release]
StandWithUs Applauds Defeat of Anti-Israel Resolution at NEA Representative Assembly Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA