USA

A short history of anti-Semitism and its modern equivalent

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Anti-Semitism is ancient, although the term itself appears only from the 19th century onward. By the latter part of the 20th century, Arabs were ridiculing the charge that they were anti-Semites, on the grounds that they are Semites. Tendentious claims aside, no less a reference than the Oxford English Dictionary defines anti-Semitism […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Children 5-12 eligible for citizenship art contest

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Press Release)–U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has commissioned an art project for children across the United States to create images depicting their interpretation of the theme, “We Are America.” This project asks children to draw pictures that answer the question “People have come from all over the world to become Americans. Why

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USA

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 29, 1954, Part 3

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Barbara Taylor-Peter Haas Wed In Afternoon Ceremony Southwestern Jewish Press, October 29, 1954, Page 6 The marriage of Barbara Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Laycock of Germany, to Peter Haas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Haas, was solemnized at an afternoon ceremony Sunday, October 24,

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Adventures in SD History, USA

Documentary follows Greenberg, Koufax, other Jewish baseball icons

_________________________________________________________________ Update– San Diego Jewish Film Festival schedules “Jews and Baseball” …. It will be presented at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13 at the Clairemont Reading 14 Theatres. _________________________________________________________________  Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story, directed by Peter Miller, narrated by Dustin Hoffman, produced by Clear Lake Historical Productions.By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO

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Donald H. Harrison, USA

Completion of Torah Scroll in Old City prompts celebration

  By Judy Lash Balint   JERUSALEM–The Sephardic Educational Center in Jerusalem’s Old City celebrated the completion of a new Torah scroll Wednesday night, July 28, in a lively celebration of Jews from around the world. A scribe dips his quill pen into special ink and puts the finishing touches to a new Torah scroll before

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Kirk wants U.S. to deny gasoline deliveries to Iran

NORTHBROOK, Illinois (Press Release) – Congressman and Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk on Wednesday, July 28, launched a national online petition drive urging the President to seal off gasoline deliveries to Iran by enforcing a recently enacted Iran sanctions bill. “A nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the Middle East, weaken America’s national security and pose an existential danger to

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Middle East, USA

House adopts resolution memorializing advocate for children who died in Uganda terrorist attack

 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution (H. Res. 1538) introduced by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) condemning the World Cup bombings in Kampala, Uganda and recognizing San Diego activist Nate “Oteka” Henn who died in the terrorist attacks. Henn was a volunteer with Invisible Children Inc., a non-profit organization based

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USA

Commentary: U.S. continues to arm Israel's enemies in Lebanon, Palestinian Authority

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — 1) The PLO flag is flying in Washington.  The administration downplayed the change – it is a “delegation” office not an Embassy.  The change implies “no enhancement in diplomatic status,” and does not provide “any diplomatic privileges or immunities,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.  It is about the same

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Middle East, USA

Torah scribe required to refrain from speculation on scrolls' origins

ROCKVILLE, Maryland  (WJC) — The nonprofit group Save a Torah has agreed it will only give provenances of its Torah scrolls “if there is documentation or an independent verifiable witness to such history,” according to an agreement with state officials. Save a Torah restores Torah scrolls, but waded into controversy after restoring a scroll donated

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USA

Will WikiLeaks' disclosures lead to international probes of Afghan War?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–“Document Leak May Hurt Efforts to Build War Support” Each of us may have a different view of that headline in the New York Times, which derives from the paper’s activities, along with the Guardian, Der Spiegel, and WikiLeaks, to bring purloined documents to the public’s attention. Some will condemn the paper as working against the national interest

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USA

Clinton, Geithner applaud new Iran sanctions levied by Canada and European Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The following is the text of a joint statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner. “The United States welcomes the strong steps taken by our European and Canadian partners to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1929. Consistent with the Security Council’s mandate, these

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USA

Jerusalem tourism waxes and wanes with international politics

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–More than two million overseas visitors arrived in Jerusalem during a recent year. The attractions are well maintained places linked to individuals and events featured in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, and a functioning Old City enclosed by walls built in ancient times and last reconstructed in the 16th century. The

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA