By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Our friends are worried. Young American Jews are in danger of disappearing via intermarriages at rates of 50 percent or more. Many are ill informed and disinterested in Israel. Key figures in AIPAC have come out in support of a Palestinian State, against sentiments in the Israeli government. Many Democrats, […]
Is Israel isolated? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USASACRAMENTO, California – The California Legislative Jewish Caucus on Wednesday, March 14, introduced AJR-35 condemning a new law in Poland subjecting individuals who cite the participation of Poles in Nazi crimes to imprisonment for up to three years, despite the historical record of this collaboration. “The Law on the Institute of National Remembrance is an attempt
Jewish solons condemn Holocaust law in Poland Read More »
International, Jewish History, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The recent violation of Israel’s air space by an Iranian drone and Israel’s retaliation against Syrian and Iranian targets prompted many observers to suggest that the growing regional tension resulting from such incidents may precipitate a war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah, and perhaps inadvertently with Syria as well. I
Iran, Israel have good reasons to avoid war Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I learnt today (Tuesday, March 13) that, to make sure that I don’t misinform you, I should only comment on events in Israel long after they happen. What seemed quite plausible, perhaps even certain, this afternoon turned out to be false and irrelevant only hours later. After Prime Minister Netanyahu’s
No Israel elections afterall! Read More »
Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At a packed funeral service Tuesday, March 13, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, the community bade a final farewell to San Diego’s First Lady of Holocaust Survivors, Gussie Zaks. The longtime lecturer, organizer, and educator—who had told her story of survival countless times to students, club members, law enforcement, and
Community says farewell to Gussie Zaks, z”l Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — When, not if, the current government of Israel breaks up, the formal cause of it will the stance of Avigdor Lieberman, the defense minister and leader of the Yisrael Beitinu party. As the protector, in his ministerial capacity, of universal conscription, which the ultra-Orthodox seek to challenge by introducing legislation
Netanyahu may want new election Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Bibi is as fascinating as he is worrying. His skills as politician and public speaker qualify for the label of wunderkind, even as he approaches his 70th birthday. Yet his personal appetites, those of his wife and at least one of his sons, and associates who may be even more
Bibi’ political instincts keep him afloat Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Beth Sarafraz BROOKLYN, New York — On a Sunday morning, June 22, 1941, the Nazis invaded Lithuania. The gentile population was ecstatic to hear the news and, after church services that day, celebrated Hitler’s troops goose-stepping over the border into their country. Each town and village greeted the Nazis with bouquets of flowers as
Rabbi makes a deal with God, survives the Holocaust Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Soon after returning from our latest trip to Poland, when my wife and I took our younger grandchildren and their parents to show them our roots in the country, I published a column in the Toronto Star in which I suggested that the attitude of Poles to Jews has
Polish anti- Judaism becoming law of the land Read More »
International, Jewish History
JERUSALEM (Press Release)– As Passover cleaning has already begun in many houses across Israel, United Hatzalah is taking the opportunity to send out a public service announcement with health and safety tips regarding the holiday covering everything from cleaning to hiking. As in previous years, due to the high volume of emergency calls received by
United Hatzalah issues safety tips for Pesach Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) –After two weeks hospitalization in Rambam’s maternity ward, a young woman returned home March 7, somewhere in embattled Syria, determined and happy. Two weeks ago, doctors had offered a grim choice – to die at her son’s imminent birth, or to let her son die. After examining the ultrasound results of
Israeli doctors save lives of Syrian mother, child Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
This is the first in a series of stories developed by editor Donald H. Harrison during his January 1-March 1 hiatus in which he collected stories in ports and at sea aboard the MS Maasdam on a cruise from Sydney, Australia, back to San Diego. Articles in this series normally will run on Thursdays
A great storyteller in the Great Synagogue Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’re reading snippets, unconfirmed, of what is said to be the Trump Administration’s proposal for an Israel-Palestinian peace accord. Israelis can’t bet less than 10 agorot on the deal, the equivalent of 3 US cents. One and five agorot coins are no longer in circulation. Americans, living with sillier traditions, and
Why does Trump even bother about a Mideast peace? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah organization is hosting a fair for prospective Southern California immigrants to Israel from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, at Shalhevet High School, 910 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. The annual North American aliyah fairs (www.nbn.org.il/mega) were created by Nefesh B’Nefesh to enable
Info fair March 18 for potential new Israel immigrants Read More »
Middle East, USA