By Jerry Klinger KETCHUM, Idah0 — The other day, Emily Sue, a dear friend from Spokane, wrote to me she was headed to visit her kin at their family’s Sheep Ranch in Howe, Idaho. She was planning on a side trip to the annual Trailing of the Sheep festival in Ketchum, Idaho. I had never
Sun Valley’s Jews and anti- Semites Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Many people, including myself, have often wondered about the Russian strategy in Syria, now that the war is for the most part over. We all know that Assad is no boy scout; we also know that the ISIS fighters, who swelled the ranks of the rebels—are genocidal
Iran, Russia, now allies, may split over Syria Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) –The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) adopted a resolution on Israeli-Palestinian coexistence authored and introduced by the Orthodox Union and the Union for Reform Judaism at JCPA’s annual conference in April. Throughout its history, JCPA has worked to advance peace and understanding between Israel and Palestinians. Committed leadership on both sides
Fund urged for Israel- Palestine peace Read More »
Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra NEW YORK (Press Release) — As the EU seeks to increase its influence in the Balkans, Russia and Turkey have been working hard to strengthen their own ties to the region. The EU’s renewed interest in its southern backyard has been prompted by fears of Moscow’s mounting impact in
Russia, Turkey, and Serbia are allies in the Balkans Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East
© Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — My academic introduction to Jewish cemeteries dates back to a paper delivered by Iowa State University anthropology professor David Gradwohl at the Missouri Valley History Conference in Omaha in the late 1970s. Ritual burial and respect for the dead are integral to the Jewish faith. Grave stones are
Every day is Memorial Day at Tel Shalom Read More »
Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USA
HAIFA (Press Release) — This year, along with Israel’s 70th anniversary, Rambam Medical Center’s is celebrating its 80th year. Rambam has come a long way from 1938 when the British Mandate forces, preparing for war in Europe, built a new hospital around a former convent building on the shores of Haifa Bay. The 225-bed hospital,
A history of Rambam Medical Center Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a major speech to the Heritage Foundation outlined America’s new Iran strategy. Following is a transcript of his presentation supplied by the U.S. State Department: MS JAMES: Good morning. (Applause.) Welcome to the Heritage Foundation. My name is Kay James and I have
Pompeo outlines U.S.’s new Iran strategy Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Pastor Robert Jeffress of Dallas spoke these words at the opening ceremony of the United States embassy in Jerusalem: “We come before you, the God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, thanking you for bringing us to this momentous occasion in the life of your people and in the history
Evangelical Christians and the U.S. Embassy in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Press Release) –Shoshana Cardin, a trailblazing leader of the American Jewish community, died May 18 in her home in Baltimore. She was 91 years old. “Shoshana Cardin was a natural leader of the Jewish people at a critical time in our history,” said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris. Cardin had served as
Jewish communal leader Shoshana Cardin mourned Read More »
International, Obituaries & memorials, USA
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — How many times have we seen it? Abba Eban said that they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Here from the eastern edge of French Hill (and Jerusalem), we often see the black smoke of Palestinians burning tires. It’s most likely a protest against Israel’s existence or what
Gazans’ protests did them more harm than good Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — Yaakov Amidror, the former national security adviser, told an Israel Project conference that “relations with South Africa are not that important to Israel so, if they want their ambassador back, they are most welcome.” This undiplomatic statement was made after South Africa pulled its ambassador out of Israel following
South Africa wrongly sees world in black and white Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle East
(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