By Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — The State of Israel marks the 70th anniversary of its official creation today, May 14. Blessed is our beloved historical homeland! In 1948, the United Nations was new, the thermal heat of the European Holocaust of the Jews still pressed, and the global Christian conscience was reeling from […]
We celebrate with Israel on its 70th Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –There’s more tension in the air than usual in Israel these days. Three danger spots come particularly to mind: (1) Nakba anniversary; (2) the opening of the US embassy; (3) the beginning of Ramadan. Each of these increases the risk of terrorist attacks and should make us all very nervous.
Dangers and diversions in Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — This is an interesting place. Often it’s exciting. Sometimes too exciting. Remember those medieval maps that showed Jerusalem at the center of the world? Now it’s more likely Washington, but Jerusalem can be close. That’s the case with the Trump-Netanyahu coalition with respect to Iran, or maybe it’s the Netanyahu-Trump
Old Israeli disputes simmer as new ones boil Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When we were in Las Vegas last year, visiting our son and daughter-in-law, on one particular evening they were otherwise occupied. They made sure to seat us comfortably in the living room facing the large TV screen, handed us the remote control, and told us to find something on
‘The Crown’ captivates English ex-pats Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Sara Miller, 33, director of the San Diego chapter of StandWithUs, is a descendant of a long line of evangelical Christian ministers associated with the Assemblies of God denomination. A great-grandfather was one of the denomination’s original missionaries to India; her grandfather preached in Iran during the Shah’s
Evangelical Christian directs StandWithUs in San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — “Abu Mazen’s Jewish Problem” is the title of an article by Professor Shlomo Avineri in Ha’aretz (May 11, 2018). Avineri is one of the most significant political scientists in Israel with an enviable international reputation. He has also served as the director-general of Israel’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The anti-Jewish
‘Abu Mazen’s Jewish problem’ Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — Aaron Burr is glacial; Alexander Hamilton is overwrought; King George has skinny legs and a hilarious voice; Eliza Schuyler (Hamilton’s deceived wife) is heartbroken and enraged. The unprecedented and prize-winning musical, Hamilton has been touring far and wide—I finally had the chance to see and hear it here
‘Hamilton’ reflects traditional U.S. values Read More »
Steve Kramer, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USASACRAMENTO (Press Release)–The California Legislative Jewish Caucus on Monday commended Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. for including in his final budget proposal funds to maintain and restore the landmark Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. The Governor released his May Revise in the State Capitol Monday, updating his January proposal with revenue totals from the
Tolerance museum to receive California funds Read More »
Jewish History, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Testifying as an expert witness before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB)on Friday urged the federal government to take immediate action to stem increasing religious bullying and harassment in U.S. schools. “Religiously-motivated harassment and bullying are on the rise across our
U.S. should protect students from religious bullies Read More »
Jewish History, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marched in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Immortal Regiment in memory of Russian fighters who died in World War II, Israel was getting ready to retaliate for an Iranian rocket attack on Israeli military units in the strategically sensitive Golan.
Russia watches as Israel retaliates in Syria against Iran Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — After recently released footage from the Israel/Gaza border confirms the use of children as human shields by Hamas during so-called ‘March of Return,’ The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish Human Rights NGO, is urging United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to denounce the cynical and dangerous child abuse by Hamas that
Hamas’ use of children as human shields denounced Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Sixty deaf and hearing impaired young adults from all over Israel participated in the annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration ceremony organized by the International Young Israel Movement (IYIM) on May 7 in the Beit Yaakov Synagogue in Jerusalem. This event was held in cooperation with Acha (The Association of the Deaf in
60 deaf students join joint bar/ bat mitzvah rites Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The Jewish Museum in New York City is currently presenting the work of Chaim Soutine (1893-1943), featuring just over thirty paintings by one of the most distinctive and significant artists of the early twentieth century. Focusing on still life paintings, of which he was a master, “Chaim Soutine: Flesh” includes
In the Flesh: Chaim Soutine at the Jewish Museum Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Little countries must look outward in order to prosper. That means being multi-lingual and multi-connected, and it may mean avoiding firm connections that get in the way of the flexibility that is essential. The need to import is obvious, insofar as a little country can’t produce everything it needs. The
Israel like and unlike other small countries Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East