(c) Oliver B. Pollak LAFAYETTE, California — In the late 1960s Reform seminaries accepted women as students. The first was ordained in 1972. Like law school and medical school female presence was small and unusual. This distinct and growing cohort, a result of the Second wave feminism, became the norm and in some instances the majority […]
Rabbi Judy Shanks retires from Lafayette pulpit Read More »
Jewish Religion, Oliver Pollak, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The Mingei International Museum’s current exhibition of Israeli crafts and design is a retrospective that incorporates aspects of the Jewish State’s history with what the exhibit’s curator, Smadar Samson, describes as four major themes of that nation’s experience. These themes are 1) invoking the collective memory of the
70 years of Israeli crafts on display at Mingei Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyBy Steve Kramer KFAR SAVA, Israel — In the May 10, 2018 issue of Newsweek, an article by Yardena Schwartz was headlined “More Israelis Are Moving to the U.S.–and Staying for Good.” Schwartz is a well known, respected journalist, but this article seems to have a chip on its shoulder. It reminds me of the
Newsweek article overblown about Israeli emigration Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Wrestling Jerusalem is a rather incredible one-man show, now filmed, in which writer and actor Aaron Davidman, in some 22 vignettes over 93 minutes, portrays the complexities, hardened positions, anger, sadness, frustration, fervor, poignancy, and, eventually, hope that characterize Israelis and Palestinians in the seemingly never-ending dispute. Because
‘Wrestling Jerusalem’ depicts the conflict’s emotions Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL), co-Chair of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating anti-Semitism, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo encouraging him to ensure the State Department is fully capable of combating rising anti-Semitism and to swiftly fill the position of Special Envoy to Monitor Combating anti-Semitism. The Special
Roskam calls for special anti- Semitism envoy Read More »
International, USANEW YORK (Press Release) Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP) on Friday condemned the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) which calls for an international commission of inquiry to investigate Israel’s response to the weeks long violent siege
COP condemns UNHRC call for Gaza probe Read More »
International, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition today responded to news reports about anti-Semitic robo-calls in California targeting Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is running for Senate for the sixth time this year. The statement from RJC said: Anti-Semitism is an abhorrent ideology that has no place in the American political arena. The Republican
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel —That Was The Week That Was (TWTWTW) was the title of a satirical program on UK television in my youth, bringing a great deal of mirth and merriment to the British viewing public. As satire tends to be, it was irreverent and entertaining, helping to brighten the somewhat dull
A week of roller coaster emotions Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — Why do the media always fall into the Hamas trap? Did you notice, during the recent mass riots on Israel’s border with Gaza how the Western media played their knee-jerk role of turning the violence into an emotional defense of Palestinians and an attack on Israel? Why do the
Western media duped by Hamas propaganda Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Rethinking is integral to judgment. When we stop rethinking, it’s time to shut down our Internet connection and everything else. A reasonable assessment of Donald Trump has not gone from terrible to wonderful. Or even from bad to good. He remains a mystery, created by his own incapacity to speak
Time to reassess Trump? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Press Release) — On June 24, the Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM), in Baltimore, will open Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini, an original exhibit exploring the life and legacy of the world’s most famous magician. Featuring dozens of artifacts, photos and archival records, many on loan from public and private collections,
Jewish Museum of Maryland to open Houdini exhibit Read More »
Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — StandWith Us has announced its support for Senate confirmation of Kenneth Marcus, an outstanding defender of civil rights for Jews and many other communities, who was recently nominated for assistant secretary for civil rights in the U.S. Department of Education. “Now he is under attack by anti-Israel extremists seeking to
StandWithUs backs Kenneth Marcus for DOE post Read More »
Middle East, USAAdditional commentary may be found below from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. NEW YORK (Press Release) – More than 1,100 religious leaders across the United States have joined with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in calling for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to appoint a new State Department Special Envoy to
Diverse groups urge anti- Semitism envoy Read More »
International, USAAdditional commentary may be found below from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organzations and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have every right, indeed a sacred duty, to defend the borders of their country. The question many of us are asking today is
Defending Israel and mourning Gaza deaths Read More »
Middle East