During his nearly 20 years in power, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has violated human rights in his own country of Turkey and destabilized and exploited others in order to promote his nationalist agenda abroad. Western powers, especially his allies in NATO, have ignored his transgressions as the price they are willing to pay to keep what they view as an indispensible ally. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
NATO’s Erdogan problem Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
I sat down with Rabbi Michael Danziger of the Plum Street Temple (aka B’nai Yeshurun and the Isaac M Wise Temple). The cornerstone was laid in 1865. With only two hundred families at the time, they built a house of prayer that can seat 1,100 directly across from City Hall. [Eric George Tauber]
Jews in the Heart of Porkopolis Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food, USA
Whenever I’ve been to Israel, whether on a mission or an independent tour, I’ve been impressed by that country’s fresh vegetables, especially its tomatoes. Maybe it is because the country is so small that tomatoes can be shipped from farm to market to the salad plate in a relatively short time, compared to how long the same process takes in the United States. Israeli tomatoes taste juicier, fresher, and sweeter than American tomatoes. They are among the special taste treats of Israeli cuisine. [Our Shetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Telling Israel’s positive story with tomato plants Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Although there are clearly some policemen who are racist and mean, there is racism throughout the judicial system. We get to see racism in policemen because they are the “muscle” that enforces the laws. It is really all of the components of the judicial system; the legislators, the lawyers, the judges, the laws, the prison system, and the police that have racist elements. We can’t weed out all of the racists but we can identify and change laws. [Mark Spitzer]
Racism and the Judicial System Read More »
San Diego County, USA
It is a just cause, poisoned by anti-Semitism. The drive to end racism merits all our participation, and we should all stand against the anti-Semitic acts and attitudes that have attached themselves to this unexpected movement. We can do both, especially with the brazen hypocrisy displayed in the pogrom in the predominantly Jewish Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles. [Bruce S. Ticker]
BLM and the poison of anti-Semitism Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Jewish History, USA
Rabbi Yael Ridberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Dor Hadash, has added her name to two campaigns now building within the Jewish community. One, which has attracted leaders of more than 500 synagogues and Jewish organizations, voices solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The other, launched by the National Council of Jewish Women, pledges support for education about women’s rights to autonomy over their own bodies. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Yael Ridberg speaks out for social justice Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
In the time of pandemic lack of COVID-19 vaccine makes us all vulnerable. We have to rely on medical advice to stay home, keep social distance and not gather in houses or outside. It is tough, frustrating, bad for economy but necessary – thus we obliged. Then mass protests and riots started in support of BLM movement. Twelve hudnred medical professionals stated that mass gathering is good for public health because it promotes social justice reforms. The major medicine’s principle “do not harm” and basic public safety recommendations got ignored. [Alex Glikin]
Coronavirus and political medicine Read More »
International, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
The noise about annexation, more or less, is reaching toward a climax. July 1 is supposed to be the date. Discussions proceed in Jerusalem and Washington, with arguments in both places. And holding fire are the Palestinians, Jordanians, Arabs of the Gulf, American Jews, and others, all with relevant opinions. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Annexation mess comes amid a coronavirus mess Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
The Academy-Award winning actress, Dame Helen Merrin, served as the host of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Global Gala, streamed on Sunday, to a world-wide audience. Her father, Vasily Mironoff, played viola with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, so she grew up loving symphonic music. She eloquently introduced the participating artists, some of whom spoke, while others presented cameo performances. [Eileen Wingard]
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra gala features well-known guest performers Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
SAN DIEGO — We Jews have a love for debate. Argument, in its purest sense, helps us to clarify issues, to determine right and wrong, and sometimes to set us upon specific courses of action. It’s for that reason that I welcome, even relish, articles and letters to the editor with diverse, even opposing, points of view. Yet, sometimes, as the editor and co-publisher of this publication, I feel obligated not to run an article, or simply to delete a letter to the editor. [Donald H. Harrison]
On letters, columns, and civility Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA
Saint Thomas Aquinas was authored by G. K. Chesterton, whose output includes both fiction and nonfiction books, including the famous Father Brown murder mysteries. Chesterton wrote this comparatively short history of the Italian Roman Catholic saint who was canonized in 1323. Aquinas’ teachings became the official teachings of Catholicism in 1917. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Theology vs. Philosophy; Aquinas vs. Maimonides Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Bill Nichols served as a volunteer consultant to the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) through the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (F2F) for two weeks in January 2020. Originally from New Mexico, now residing in Boston, Nichols collaborated as an F2F volunteer with four of HAF’s tree nursery cooperatives in southern Morocco. He was tasked with improving their productivity. One immediate benefit of his visits with Moroccan farmers at these sites is that he was able to share not only his technical and business skills but also to find ways for the four individual cooperatives within the same province to share their own specialized skills with one another. [Yossef Ben-Meir]
Farmer-to-Farmer program helps developing nations Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, USA, Yossef Ben-Meir
Ten internationally known speakers on Sunday addressed the opening night of a “virtual summit” sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI) in which they lauded the U.S.-Israel alliance and opposed anti-Semitism in its many forms. [Donald H. Harrison]
Israeli leaders warn of Iran at CUFI virtual summit Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, USA
A Hebrew saying has it that a man is known by his kisso, kosso and ka’asso, his tipping, tipple and temper. I have never read anything about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s drinking habits or his temper, but we read a lot about his attitude to money. Part of his trial, due to start next month, is about taking bribes. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu receives a large tax break Read More »
Middle East