In the early-1940’s, B’nai Emunah, a synagogue that was a hybrid of Orthodox and Conservative practice, built a new building, only to learn that many women protested and refused to sit upstairs in the women’s balcony. How did the synagogue resolve that dispute? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Tulsa, Oklahoma Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I hope that this final appeal will awaken you to the reality that you can no longer ignore. Time has just about run out and your immediate decision to agree or refuse to enter into new peace negotiations with Israel will determine the future of your people for generations to come. They will either live in peace and harmony with Israel, growing and prospering, or remain a shattered nation despairing for a ray of hope that has eluded them for seven decades – with you sealing their fate. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
An Open Letter to Mahmoud Abbas Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
Michael Hopkins, the chief executive officer of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, has issued a call for volunteers who can deliver meals to seniors who are required to shelter-in-place because of the Coronavirus pandemic. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
JFS issues call for food delivery drivers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
So much time, so much passion, and so much heat is wasted arguing about labels, while what is needed is to understand the urgent feelings and dreams behind the labels.
Let’s start with the obvious: “Black Lives Matter.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Examining the slogans for the thoughts behind them Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
I read Orlando by Virginia Woolf originally many years ago, when I first ‘discovered’ Virginia Woolf and the fascinating world of the Bloomsbury Group – the coterie of artists, writers and intellectuals who coalesced around her and her husband, Leonard Woolf (who was Jewish). I eagerly swallowed every word she had ever written, as well as her diaries, collected letters and the many works about her and the other members of the group. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Who’s reconsidering Virginia Woolf? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International
While protests and demonstrations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement are taking place across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing – limiting sources of support to worthy organizations. However, if you are so inclined and financially able, charitable giving is a great way to support this growing movement and effect real change in our community. Below is a list of organizations you might consider. [Sheryl Rowling]
Supporting racial justice during the pandemic Read More »
Business & Finance, Sheryl Rowling, USA
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson covers the challenges Winston Churchill faced during the first two years of the war, from May 1940 to the end of 1941. Churchill grappled with the Nazi blitzkrieg toppling France and other Allies and the rescue of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and other locations. Then came the Battle of Britain as Spitfires and Hurricanes, radar and Bletchley Park intelligence interfered with Hermann Göring’s Luftwaffe. The Nazis blitzed London and other English cities for eight months and five days. Blessedly Hitler’s anticipated land invasion never occurred. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]
When England was going it alone, there was Churchill Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Oliver Pollak
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Jamaal Bowman, a candidate in a New York Democratic primary election for Congress, on Friday disqualified himself in the eyes of many pro-Israel voters, when he revealed disingenuous views about Israel in an opinion piece published by The Riverdale Press, a Pulitzer-Prize winning neighborhood weekly. Bowman, 44, is trying
Bowman v. Engel: Progressive Democrats’ seek takeover Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USASunday being Father’s Day, I couldn’t help but think about a conversation held approximately 111 years ago between a son and his father. The father’s first name was Velvel, the name he had been given in Lithuania well before he immigrated to the United States during the 1880s when American ports were open to all who were healthy and wished to work hard. The first name of the son was Meyer. He was born in the United States, was a talented draftsman, a good student, and in 1909, earned a university degree as a professional architect. [Donald H. Harrison]
Reflection, introspection on Father’s Day Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, USAIt is six days shy of a full month between the killing of George Floyd on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer and today’s ‘Juneteenth’ celebration. It has been a time of daily marches and national protests for racial justice, and a time for deep reflection throughout America. Many communities, including our fellow Jews, have been reflecting on such questions as “in what ways can we help to bridge gaps and create understanding and unity in our country?” “How can Jewish tradition and values guide us in our search for societal harmony?” and “In what manner do we best start?” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Juneteenth and Jewish community reflection, action Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
It was five years ago, summer 2015, that Sandra Bland, driving while black, was wantonly pulled over by police very close to her home. In the dimness of our prevailing sadness, the malevolent passing of one young American woman in a Texas jail cell stands out in its grim narrative. Sandra Bland, in her consuming desperation and misfortune, must never be forgotten–especially in this summer of racial reckoning. [Ben Kamin]
On Juneteenth, remembering a woman snuffed out five summers ago Read More »
USA
After Donald Trump learned that the original date of his Tulsa Rally coincided with Juneteenth, he changed the date out of deference to African Americans. Indeed, he respects their holiday so much that he plans to make June 20th a national holiday modeled after it calling it Trumpteenth. Here are excerpts from an advance copy of his speech tomorrow: [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Trumpteenth Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
A reason often given for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s current pursuit of the annexation (“Israeli sovereignty”) of parts of the West Bank is to fix Israel’s Eastern border that would incorporate most or all of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank yet take up a relatively small part of the area currently under Palestinian control as potential Palestinian state. The time is now, so the argument goes, while Donald Trump, “the great friend of Israel,” is still in power. It is difficult to justify these effort on their merits, which seem minimal. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu’s annexation gamble Read More »
Middle East, USA
I have chosen three passages from this week’s parsha, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices, from what I could find in internet sources. (Irv Jacobs, MD)
Ancient views of military scouts, cowardice, and divine retribution Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East