By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The primary goals of American foreign policy is to make our citizens, friends and allies secure and to make our adversaries think twice. There are moments in history when well-timed, well-placed military action will have the effect of causing fear — and moments that, if allowed to pass by,
The case for punishing Syria’s chemical weapon use Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Watching the daily newscasts it’s impossible to escape seeing and hearing the horrific events that are taking place not too far away from where I’m sitting now. The impact of telecommunications is inescapable. From here in Jerusalem to Damascus, just to the north of Israel, it’s only 135 miles.
Israelis horrified, terrified by carnage next door in Syria Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastThe Pol-cars (Political Oscars) for 2017 By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Best Picture: Barack Obama’s Presidential Portrait Most Despicable Actor: Wayne LaPierre Worst Deporting Actor: Donald Trump Hewing to Oscar rules, “Fail to the Chief” will play to end his acceptance speech if it is too long. Best Actress: Melania Trump for her role
Humoring the headlines: March 4, 2018 Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Is the left to blame? The argument is not without its problems. However, in both Israel and the United States, the failure of politics on the left, must take at least a bit of the blame for what’s happening at the peaks of government. The pathos of Donald Trump owes
Is the political left responsible for today’s messes? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As well as forging and facilitating connections between individuals, Facebook also provides the opportunity to form groups, bringing together people all over the world who share mutual interests. These are many and varied, and seem to have succeeded in their objective. Thus, some time ago a bright spark somewhere
‘Brits Living in Israel’ FB group locates favored biscuits Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Author and columnist Edwin Black, whose work appears regularly on San Diego Jewish World, is embarking on a multi-city lecture tour outlining Israel’s history from ancient times to the present. The tour begins March 19 and March 20th respectively at Rambam Mesivta High School in Lawrence, N.Y., and the Manhattan
Edwin Black to tell Israel’s story in many cities Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Edwin Black, Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Refugees aren’t too popular these days in most countries. Israel has some unwanted refugees of its own. These refugees, commonly called “infiltrators” here, number about 30-40,000, down from a much larger contingent several years ago. What happened? Israel’s policy has been to grant asylum to almost none of
Wanted/ Unwanted Refugees Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — If you expect peace to break out any time soon in the Middle East, you’re bound to be disappointed. First, Arabs don’t get along among themselves, partly due to the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims. About 85% of Muslims world-wide follow the Sunni tradition; the two sects
Emigration: Pals can escape constant turmoil Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Dor Gwieta LA JOLLA, California — Natan Sharansky has been my inspiration, from his work not only as a Jewish leader, but also as an educator and a pro-Israel activist. His life story is a guidebook for me on how a Jewish community leader should act—we must manifest his ideals within the Jewish community.
Sharansky prompted his Jewish commitment Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Some years ago, my friend Malcolm Feeley dealt with crime in the streets via a book entitled, The Process is the Punishment. His theme was that a great deal of crime–including violence–that occurs in the ghettos is not formally punished. The police can’t find conclusive evidence, the courts are jammed,
For Netanyahu, process is punishment Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
The Rabbinate in Stormy Days by Shaul Mayzlish; Gefen Publishing House By Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — As a Masorti (Conservative) Jew living in Israel, there’s a lot to be learned from this history of the modern State of Israel’s first chief rabbi, Yitzhak Isaac HaLevi Herzog, who of course was deeply religious. The Chief
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Beth Israel’s Men’s Club will host Mike Dolinka as a guest speaker at its March 21 Dinner Forum beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dolinka is the current Executive Director for the Friends of the Israel Defense Force (FIDF) in San Diego, Orange County and Arizona. This program is open to the entire San
FIDF’s Mike Dolinka to lecture March 21 Read More »
Middle East, San Diego CalendarMoadim Perspectives: Chanukah – Purim, by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, Rabbi Dr. Solomon Breuer, and Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer, Feldheim Publishers, New York, © 2018, ISBN 978-1-68025-072-5, p. 241, $22.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Moadim Perspectives: Chanukah – Purim is the third in a series of books on Jewish holidays by the Rabbi
A scholarly family writes of Chanukah, Purim Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — For some people, your first love or passion can be hard to forget. This passion may be related to love or work. In the case of widower, Rafael [Fallo] Mareyna, he had two first loves which were painting, something he left and came back to many
First Loves Forever Read More »
International, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County