USA

Richard Lerner, who led Scripps Research to greatness, dies at 83

Richard Lerner, the masterful biochemist who guided Scripps Research on its way to becoming an elite center for biomedical science and helped develop Humira, the highest-selling therapeutic drug in the world last year, died on Dec. 2. He was 83. The private, nonprofit institute told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Lerner died of cancer at his home in La Jolla. [San Diego Union-Tribne]

Richard Lerner, who led Scripps Research to greatness, dies at 83 Read More »

Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Omar Should Point at Herself When She Denounces Hostile Rhetoric

Says U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, “Words can cause violence.” The Minneapolis Democrat was referring to the words of Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents much of western and southern Colorado. Omar could have been referring to her own words – words like “the evil doings of Israel,” “the apartheid Israeli regime” and “all about the Benjamins” in reference to pro-Israel lobbying. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Omar Should Point at Herself When She Denounces Hostile Rhetoric Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

StandWithUs Gala Attracts 400+ Israel Supporters

The show was sold out and had a waiting list.  More than 400 Israel supporters of all ages, faiths and political persuasions joined StandWithUs as it celebrated its 20th year anniversary at its annual “Festival of Lights” gala, on Sunday,  December 5. Held at the spacious Wilshire Ebell Social Club and Theater, guests showed proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests, were able to eat outside or inside, and wore masks inside the theater.  The 2020 gala was held virtually to international audiences of tens of thousands.  The 2021 event was also live-streamed, reaching thousands more during and after the show.  [StandWithUs]

StandWithUs Gala Attracts 400+ Israel Supporters Read More »

Middle East, USA

‘There Are Jews Here’ Documents A Dwindling World

There are Jews here. This can be a simple statement of fact, but it is often phrased: There are Jews here?! Small towns are not where we usually expect to find Jewish communities. Such small town shtiebels are the subject of a documentary film, There Are Jews Here through America Reframed and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. [Eric George Tauber]

‘There Are Jews Here’ Documents A Dwindling World Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

OpEd: Middle East Studies Association’s Betrayal of Academic Freedom

Unsurprisingly for an organization whose membership has been perennially hostile to Israel, members of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) voted at their recent annual meeting to advance a resolution endorsing an academic boycott of Israeli academics to a full membership vote in 2022. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

OpEd: Middle East Studies Association’s Betrayal of Academic Freedom Read More »

Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

California Here I Leave

After two weeks in California, with all its delights and attractions, it is a relief to be back in the humble abode that is our home in Israel. In California everything, or almost everything, is large. Most of the homes we visited are grand, the people generous and hospitable, and the wide streets and huge stores provide an array of goods and facilities that keep the mind on constant alert for the next attractive bargain or delightful display. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

California Here I Leave Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA

Urgent Surgery for Holocaust Survivor, Psychologist and Educator Levy Van Leeuwen

Levy Van Leeuwen was one of those people at Camp Moshava, who influenced our lives for the better. As a counselor, Levy walked back and forth in the dining hall, leading us in song. In the rustic synagogue, Levy led us in prayer. In our classes on Jewish and Zionist topics, Levy led us in acquiring knowledge. Now it is Levy who is fighting for his life. [Toby Klein Greenwald]

Urgent Surgery for Holocaust Survivor, Psychologist and Educator Levy Van Leeuwen Read More »

Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Toby Klein Greenwald, USA

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a legal icon that Rutgers should honor | Opinion

Published by NJ.com By David Lopez This week, Rutgers University will dedicate “Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall,” in honor of the former Supreme Court Justice who taught at Rutgers Law School-Newark from 1963-1972. When Rutgers hired Ginsburg in 1963, she became the second woman on the 17-member faculty. The otherwise progressive Dean Willard Heckel infamously paid

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a legal icon that Rutgers should honor | Opinion Read More »

USA

U.S. and Iran pessimistic about reviving nuclear deal

Published by Reuters By Parisa Hafezi and Humeyra Pamuk VIENNA/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -The United States and Iran both sounded pessimistic on Thursday about the chances of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington saying it had little cause for optimism and Tehran questioning the determination of U.S. and European negotiators. “I have to tell you,

U.S. and Iran pessimistic about reviving nuclear deal Read More »

USA

‘Welcome Home’ Sends an SOS for Welcoming Refugees

Laurie Spiegler, the co-chair and co-founder of Welcome Home, a volunteer group that assists refugees to settle in San Diego, has put out an SOS.  Between now and February 15, as many as 1,500 Afghan refugees will be transferred from temporary lodging on U.S. military bases to the City of San Diego, where they will need everything including places to stay, furniture, bedding, personal hygiene items, paper towels, diapers, cleaning supplies, and just about everything else that cannot be purchased with food stamps. [Donald H. Harrison]

‘Welcome Home’ Sends an SOS for Welcoming Refugees Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, USA

A YouTube Channel featuring Jewish Women Performers

The ATARA organization and Spotlight on Women have joined forces to create the Jewish Women’s Chanukah Playlist 2021 Channel on YouTube, featuring music videos exclusively from Torah-observant (Orthodox) female artists from around the world. [Toby Klein Greenwald]

A YouTube Channel featuring Jewish Women Performers Read More »

International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA