By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We had a right to cheer, or at least to be satisfied, by Donald Trump’s announcements that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and that Israel is not the heart of the Middle East’s problems. We also have a right to question the wisdom of the announcements, their
Weighing the impact of Trump’s Jerusalem declaration Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Evidently, money means little when it comes to projecting military power. How else to explain the fact that the US is in a tizzy because of threats and actions by Russia, by Iran, and even by dirt-poor North Korea – all of which have economies that are minuscule
Gangster states threaten even when seriously outgunned Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — No more of this assault on immigrants! I will no longer tolerate this ugly national mood–especially the brazen, indulgent persecution of immigrants and so-called “foreigners.” It hurts the heart and it’s wrong. I am an immigrant to this country, arriving at the age of nine. My parents chose
U.S. must end its war on immigrants Read More »
USA
Through My Father’s Eyes by Barry Fischer; Fischer Family Press; © 2014; ISBN 9780991-073313; 211 pages; $19.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –This memoir is a good introduction to the Holocaust for middle school students and older. It is written in a clear, conversational style, the author remembering how his father, Mayer Fischer, described
Son relates his father’s Holocaust survival Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish HistoryEFRAT, Israel — Two years ago, Rabbi Gideon Osher Shmueli donated a kidney to a stranger, saving that individual’s life. These days, he works at Magen David Yeshivah in Brooklyn, N.Y., teaching Hebrew and bringing with that teaching the culture and values of Judaism and eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel. To him, teaching about Judaism
Orthodox network sends emissaries to San Diego Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Prominent in what’s similar between the Great Leaders of the US and Israel are their claims about the media. Fake news, especially from the mainstream-leftwing print and electronic. Those who worry see these preoccupations as the tricks of demagogues. Some have compared them with how Hitler moved toward the complete
Others before Bibi and Donald castigated ‘fake news’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As always, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gave her traditional Christmas message, which was televised and broadcast all over the world. Although I don’t usually pay it much attention, this year I happened to catch it live on TV, and watched with greater interest than usual,
Home is where the hearth is Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Holocaust Postal History by Justin Gordon; Six Point Watermark;© 2016; ISBN 9780997-840100; 138 pages plus glossaries, bibliography and index. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The author of this richly illustrated book deserved compliments for his persistence as a collector, his clarity as a writer, and his ability as a researcher. No matter how
The Holocaust seen through its postal history Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History
(c) Oliver Pollak PORTLAND, Oregon — In the Summer of 2017 we took a 5,500-mile road trip. Richmond, California to Vancouver. The California and Oregon coasts were beautiful. Fish and chips galore. Right turn to the Trans-Canada Highway to a wedding in Winnipeg. Right turn to Omaha, Nebraska. Right turn and back to California. We
Holocaust museum completes memorable Portland trip Read More »
Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Dr. Dmitry Shumsky was born in Ukraine, came to Israel at a young age and now teaches Jewish history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He’s also a regular columnist in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz. His column on December 28 started with a story about a childhood friend who
Is peace between Jews and Arabs a pipe dream? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The label and the concept of Final Solution have no place in Israeli discourse. What’s behind this column is not the Holocaust, nor any perception of dire threat, but the importance of continuity. None should be more aware than Jews that history does not end. And none should be more
No solutions likely for Israeli Jews, Arabs Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — When I get annoyed at something that I read in our daily newspaper (still delivered to our door), I often quickly dash off a letter to the editor on my iPhone. Often they’re even printed, but I always feel better for having expressed my thoughts in writing. Below
Is Diaspora criticism of Israel top-down? Read More »
Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — Palestinian refugees are a slippery population — but when 285,535 of them go missing from a small country such as Lebanon, it should raise eyebrows. UNRWA in Lebanon reports on its website that 449,957 refugees live under its protection in 12 camps, but a survey by Lebanon’s Central Administration of Statistics, together
Does U.N. bill U.S. for refugees who don’t exist? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday called on FIDE, the World Chess Federation, to take a strong stand against Saudi Arabia for its refusal to allow entry to Israel’s chess team to participate in the World Chess Championship, which opened Tuesday in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia will be hosting this competition for
Saudi Arabia bars Israeli chess team from competition Read More »
International, Middle East