So far, no agreement on a government. There is argument about who will get which ministry. So far, no politician wants to be Health Minister. Perhaps those having to decide are waiting for the Supreme Court to make its decision. There remains a chance that it’ll veto the choice of Bibi as Prime Minister, given the three indictments against him. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Coalition, coronavirus confusion in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
On the positive side of the Jewish experience in America, Elan Carr, the U.S. Special Envoy to Combat anti-Semitism, mentioned today the late Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the successful anti-polio vaccine, and founder of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla. On the negative side, he brought up last year’s attack on Chabad of Poway, at which Lori Gilbert Kaye was murdered. [Our Shtetl San Diego Column by Donald H. Harrison]
Fighting Jew-Hatred on the Internet Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
Theodor Herzl, whose 160th birthday was celebrated today, would not have been surprised by the anti-Semites who try to blame coronavirus on Jews or on Israel. Early in Herzl’s career, he came to the conclusion that hatred of Jews was a permanent problem that Jews could never eliminate, but only learn to manage, Gol Kalev, chairman of the America-Israel Friendship League’s think tank, commented on a worldwide webcast. [Donald H. Harrison]
Remembering Herzl on his 160th birthday Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
This past week one article from the Middle East created an uproar of discussion., Sabili Mehdi is the chairman of prophetic medicine society and has over 60,000 followers. In a video, Sabili urges his followers to drink camel urine, but it must be taken “fresh and warm.” [i] [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Ancient camel milk and urine remedy not recommended today Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
More than likely you have heard the expression, “walk a mile in my shoes,” to caution against prejudging what anyone’s life is like. Jewish filmmaker Nancy Cooperstein Charney poignantly brought that message home at the conclusion of her documentary, Who’s Next, when she filmed a large group of women, presumably non-Muslims, being shown how to put on a hijab, and then marching together in New York City. I’m not sure, given the Islamophobic atmosphere in the United States today, how many other women would have the courage to do that. {Movie review by Donald H. Harrison]
Walk a mile in her hijab Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
Actress Annette Bening, who got her start in drama as a student at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego before going on to Broadway and to the movies, is the narrator of a new documentary A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps, which covers approximately 62 years of America helping developing nations, from the inception of the idea in 1958 to the present. It will be shown in theaters later this month. {Donald H. Harrison]
Peace Corps documentary narrated by Annette Bening Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAItems in today’s column include: *Jewish community coronavirus news *American Jewish history *Never forget *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, in her role as chair of the Council’s Budget Committee, has proposed that “San Diego’s federal coronavirus relief money to be used to fund Internet access for all San
A little bit of this, a little bit of that Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, USAMany EU leaders, Jews, and others are upset over the proposed extension of Israeli sovereignty to the Jewish population in Israel’s heartland, reclaimed 53 years ago during the defensive Six Day War. This will be accomplished by substituting Israeli civil law for military law in those area where Israeli citizens are living, thereby establishing a real border between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs. Israel’s intended action is approved under the Peace to Prosperity Plan, contingent on Israel’s acceptance of a State of Palestine – a state subject to many restrictions meant to keep everyone safe. [Steve Kramer]
Annexation debate: beating a dead horse Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerA culinary worker at Seacrest Village Retirement Community “has tested positive and is quarantined at home,” Pam Ferris, president and CEO of the Jewish-community-run home for senior citizens reported to residents and their families on Thursday evening. “We are currently following the ‘Criteria for Return to Work for Health Care Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected Covid-19’ guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Coronavirus case reported at Seacrest Village Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USAMark Twain is often credited with saying, “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” As American Jews, we grew up hearing how “America is andrish,” the Yiddish word for “different.” We thought we would never hear new libels accusing the Jew of being a carrier of disease and pandemics. But now the plague is here again, we’re beginning to hear that same old rhyme again. We thought these libels were behind us; it turns out we were wrong. This is very hard for Jews because we want to believe that human nature is essentially good. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The Coronavirus and the Jewish Problem Read More »
International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
Aharot Mot/Kedoshim Leviticus Chapters 16-20 deals with multiple topics including specified rituals for Aaron, notably about a sin offering. It involved a bull plus two he-goats, one for a sacrificial sin offering, the other to be loaded with community sins and sent off to the wilderness. This ceremony is identified with Yom Kippur. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient practices: scapegoats, charity, hybrids Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
We might be tempted to give New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio the benefit of the doubt. It was a thoughtless moment. In haste he tweeted: “My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period.” [Bruce S. Ticker]
Giving Bill de Blasio the benefit of the doubt? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, USA
In a webcast sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday, panelists Deborah Lipstadt of Emory University and Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University were asked if a cure for coronavirus were to be discovered by a Jew, would that reduce anti-Semitism? The two academicians, appearing alongside ADL’s president and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, responded in the negative. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
ADL panel weighs coronavirus and anti-Semitism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
President Trump sent a congratulatory letter to Israeli President Rivlin on Israeli Independence Day. In that letter, President Trump expressed his “tremendous pride that the United States was the first country to recognize the newly re-established Jewish State in 1948. He also signed a proclamation declaring May to be Jewish-American Heritage Month in the U.S. [Press release from ‘Jews Choose Trump’ campaign organization]
Trump salutes Israel’s 72nd birthday, declares May as Jewish-American Heritage Month Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA