By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The latest political farce has deepened this country’s status as a cynic’s paradise. Prime Minister Netanyahu, together with Interior Minister Ariyeh Deri, surprised us Monday afternoon with a dramatic announcement that Israel had signed an agreement with the UN Commission on Refugees that a number of western countries would accept […]
Israel’s African refugee fiasco Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Lloyd Levy LONDON, England –The Jewish Community in Britain has proclaimed “enough is enough“. The perceived anti-Semitism in the Labour Party has reached such a level, that British Jewry has demanded that the situation be addressed. For the famously reticent British Community, this must be almost unprecedented. Why the situation is so important, is
British Jews fight rising anti- Semitism Read More »
International, Lloyd LevyBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The phrase, סלח לעווננו כי רב הוא in one of the Jewish penitential prayers is normally translated as, “Forgive us our iniquity for it is great.” However, with a little mischief it can also be rendered, “Forgive us our iniquity for he is a rabbi.” This second version seems
Save Israel from its chief rabbis Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastSACRAMENTO, California – Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, the director of AMCHA Initiative, on Tuesday testified before the California State Assembly’s Committee on Higher Education in support of AB 2374, the Free Speech on Campus Act of 2018. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Assemblymen Kevin Kiley (R-6th) and Bill Quirk (D-20th), calls on campuses of the California Community Colleges, California State
AMCHA director testifies for campus free speech Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) – Agreement was reached Tuesday, April 3, between San Diego Jewish World and WorldMediaNetworks for a trial three-month period for the trade of news content. Under the agreement, signed by principals Donald H. Harrison of San Diego Jewish World and Daniel Ajzen of WorldMediaNetworks, specified bylined articles that appear on San Diego
News companies agree to 3-month trial trading Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego CountyBEER-SHEVA, Israel (Press Release) –Earthquake warning and forecasting systems used worldwide are ineffective,according to new research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the Sami Shamoon College of Engineering Studies.Their research shows that electromagnetic radiation measurement would be a better predictor,providing hours, or even days, warning before an earthquake. According to the study published
A better way to predict temblors? Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — One thing that the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority shares with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza is the dream of a world without Israel and Jews. They both propagate a world in which the Palestinians will rule the whole of ‘Palestine’ “from the River to the Sea.” What they
What’s going on in Gaza? A short history Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –At least 15 Gaza residents lost their lives and some 800 were injured by Israeli fire during the fateful march from the Strip last Friday and the seeming attempts to cross into Israeli territory. Much of the world is outraged as a result. Israel may have succeeded to secure its
Aftermath of the Gaza march Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — The ad in the paper for the show entitled “Tango in the Shadows” caught my eye, and since Yigal and I have long been aficionados of the tango in every shape and form we decided to buy tickets for the performance in Jerusalem. The fact that the event fell exactly on
It takes ten to tango Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Story by Donald H. Harrison; photos by Shor M. Masori VALLEY CENTER, California – Not being an incorporated city, Valley Center is not so well known as neighboring Escondido, located about nine miles to its southwest. But, perhaps surprisingly, this rural town has lots of Jewish history—and U.S. presidential history as well. The Lilac Ranch,
Eleanor Roosevelt’s Valley Center days Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One of the uglier scenes in Israeli politics is a face-off, equivalent to anything done at the O.K. Corral, that has occurred in the run-up to what should be an iconic celebration of the country’s 70th birthday. It’s Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein against Bibi (Benjamin) Netanyahu. One is the Chair of the
Israeli politics: Edelstein vs. Netanyahu Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of stories about Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s centennial celebration, and eight women who will be honored at the organization’s gala on April 21. To see previous stories please click on the number in the series: 1, 2. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO
Once an immigrant, JFS’s Daniel now helps refugees Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego CountyBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Never Again” was a rallying cry for Jews after the Holocaust. Never again would Jews be defenseless – force-marched, starved, and gassed, waiting to be rescued by an indifferent world. It worked out pretty much that way. But what happens when the forced march, starving, and gas happen to
‘Never Again’ also applies to Syria Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — A bittersweet irony it is that the freedom festival of Passover arrives just prior to the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and one day before the rebirth of hope for our Christian neighbors—Easter Sunday, We all come to our April festivals this
Passover 2018, Easter, and MLK’s murder Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA