By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson TROYES, France — Several years ago I was told that I really ought to visit the French town of Troyes (pronounced ‘Trois,’ like the number three in French), since it is a charming medieval town. It is also the birthplace of Rashi, the great twelfth century commentator on the Bible and the
A visit to Rashi’s home town Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish Religion
By Douglas Parisi GARDNER, Kansas — We live in a time where we need to educate ourselves and our family on unfortunate events. It’s important to empower your loved ones to take action in active shooter situations, even amidst pangs of fear. This information is designed to highlight important conceptual aspects of readiness training. The
5 Things to Remember Near an Active Shooter Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Caroline Kirk MARRAKECH, Morocco — This country’s belief in the strength of pluralism has energized me and shown me that difference can serve as a strength for any country, whether it is religious or secular, large or small, developed or developing. I was told that there are spiritual answers to the question, “Why Morocco?”—every
In Morocco difference is a strength Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Formally, Iran isn’t at war with Israel. But what about informally? The random reflections below are variations on this question. Hamas and the splinter groups in Gaza, inspired and supported by Iran, are attacking Israel. Though they suffer infinitely more than the Israelis when Israel retaliates, they seem determined
The calm in Israel – genuine or false? Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Benj Fried Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — A Times of San Diego article portrayed the major leaders and clergy in the San Diego Jewish community as passively mum in the face of President Trump’s anti-Semitic portrayals of Jewish Democrats as disloyal and vicious attacks on Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar. The article
When should rabbis address political issues? Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Is Gaza controlled by Hamas? And is Hamas the terrorist organization widely claimed? Or is there some degree of trust? Or at least an effort at communication between Israel and Gaza? We hear that there are 12,000 Gazans allowed into Israel. Some are business people, seeking deals. Some are workers,
Who is calling the shots in Gaza? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
This is another installment in author Natasha Josefowitz’s memoir By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — Back from our business trip/honeymoon in South America, my husband Sam’s apartment was in a basement on the west side of New York City. The small windows were right under the ceiling. We had a view of people’s
Natasha’s Memoir: Life in NYC, N.J., and Israel Read More »
Middle East, Natasha Josefowitz, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Seed of Israel: DNA Guide To Tracing Your Jewish Ancestry by Joshua Robbin Marks, 48 pages including endnotes; available on Amazon.com for $14.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Perhaps your friends or relatives have told you that they did a DNA test and found out about their ancestry, and now you’re wondering whether
Book offers tips and facts about DNA testing Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Sad to say, President Trump has just blown any chance (admittedly, next-to-zero, or less) of establishing political détente with me. He did it with an all-too-typical wild-and-woolly statement that many considered startling, even offensive. Count me among them. Trump issued a challenge to Jewish voters, aimed at getting
OpEd: Trump tries to move Jewish voters to the right Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, USA
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Harry Litman, a former United States Attorney for western Pennsylvania and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, will address the Beth Israel Men’s Club at a 6:30 p.m. dinner buffet Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the temple, 9001 Towne Centre Drive. Litman teaches Constitutional Law and National Security Law at both the UCLA
Former U.S. Attorney Litman to speak Sept. 18 at CBI Read More »
San Diego Calendar, USA
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — It might surprise most people to know that ecological themes form an important part of the Torah and Tanakh. For example: Genesis begins with an important ecological truth: “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and
Massive tree planting program may save planet Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, The World We Share, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — It is basic psychology that people cannot understand a subject unless they understand its opposite. In fact, this was the first lesson I learnt at Johns Hopkins in my first psychology class. Peter Kamara’s Ancient Roman Mythology contains a description of a Roman creation myth. It is
Comparing the biblical and Roman creation stories Read More »
International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Moshe Dann The Jerusalem Post JERUSALEM — The last “book” of Torah, Devarim (words), is also called Deuteronomy because it contains many laws especially relevant to the conquering and settlement of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) that were not presented in the first four books. It reflects the transition from the end of one
Deuteronomy: The Book of Jewish Sovereignty Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
What Language do I Dream in? by Elena Lappin; HarperCollins, 2017, ISBN 9781554-684632. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DOMEYROT, France — As a bilingual speaker of Hebrew and English as well as having some knowledge of French and German, I was intrigued by the title of this book. But the beginning is something of a surprise, as
Linguist learns of biological father’s secret past Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International