Leave them up? Or tear them down? As the recent decision by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City attests, to remove a statue of Theodore Roosevelt in the company of a Native American and an African American, we have entered a time of monumental decision making. [Op-Ed by Donald H. Harrison]
The making of monumental decisions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
In the early-1940’s, B’nai Emunah, a synagogue that was a hybrid of Orthodox and Conservative practice, built a new building, only to learn that many women protested and refused to sit upstairs in the women’s balcony. How did the synagogue resolve that dispute? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Tulsa, Oklahoma Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I hope that this final appeal will awaken you to the reality that you can no longer ignore. Time has just about run out and your immediate decision to agree or refuse to enter into new peace negotiations with Israel will determine the future of your people for generations to come. They will either live in peace and harmony with Israel, growing and prospering, or remain a shattered nation despairing for a ray of hope that has eluded them for seven decades – with you sealing their fate. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
An Open Letter to Mahmoud Abbas Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
Michael Hopkins, the chief executive officer of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, has issued a call for volunteers who can deliver meals to seniors who are required to shelter-in-place because of the Coronavirus pandemic. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
JFS issues call for food delivery drivers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
So much time, so much passion, and so much heat is wasted arguing about labels, while what is needed is to understand the urgent feelings and dreams behind the labels.
Let’s start with the obvious: “Black Lives Matter.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Examining the slogans for the thoughts behind them Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
While protests and demonstrations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement are taking place across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing – limiting sources of support to worthy organizations. However, if you are so inclined and financially able, charitable giving is a great way to support this growing movement and effect real change in our community. Below is a list of organizations you might consider. [Sheryl Rowling]
Supporting racial justice during the pandemic Read More »
Business & Finance, Sheryl Rowling, USA
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Jamaal Bowman, a candidate in a New York Democratic primary election for Congress, on Friday disqualified himself in the eyes of many pro-Israel voters, when he revealed disingenuous views about Israel in an opinion piece published by The Riverdale Press, a Pulitzer-Prize winning neighborhood weekly. Bowman, 44, is trying
Bowman v. Engel: Progressive Democrats’ seek takeover Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USASunday being Father’s Day, I couldn’t help but think about a conversation held approximately 111 years ago between a son and his father. The father’s first name was Velvel, the name he had been given in Lithuania well before he immigrated to the United States during the 1880s when American ports were open to all who were healthy and wished to work hard. The first name of the son was Meyer. He was born in the United States, was a talented draftsman, a good student, and in 1909, earned a university degree as a professional architect. [Donald H. Harrison]
Reflection, introspection on Father’s Day Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, USAIt is six days shy of a full month between the killing of George Floyd on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer and today’s ‘Juneteenth’ celebration. It has been a time of daily marches and national protests for racial justice, and a time for deep reflection throughout America. Many communities, including our fellow Jews, have been reflecting on such questions as “in what ways can we help to bridge gaps and create understanding and unity in our country?” “How can Jewish tradition and values guide us in our search for societal harmony?” and “In what manner do we best start?” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Juneteenth and Jewish community reflection, action Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
It was five years ago, summer 2015, that Sandra Bland, driving while black, was wantonly pulled over by police very close to her home. In the dimness of our prevailing sadness, the malevolent passing of one young American woman in a Texas jail cell stands out in its grim narrative. Sandra Bland, in her consuming desperation and misfortune, must never be forgotten–especially in this summer of racial reckoning. [Ben Kamin]
On Juneteenth, remembering a woman snuffed out five summers ago Read More »
USA
After Donald Trump learned that the original date of his Tulsa Rally coincided with Juneteenth, he changed the date out of deference to African Americans. Indeed, he respects their holiday so much that he plans to make June 20th a national holiday modeled after it calling it Trumpteenth. Here are excerpts from an advance copy of his speech tomorrow: [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Trumpteenth Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
A reason often given for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s current pursuit of the annexation (“Israeli sovereignty”) of parts of the West Bank is to fix Israel’s Eastern border that would incorporate most or all of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank yet take up a relatively small part of the area currently under Palestinian control as potential Palestinian state. The time is now, so the argument goes, while Donald Trump, “the great friend of Israel,” is still in power. It is difficult to justify these effort on their merits, which seem minimal. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu’s annexation gamble Read More »
Middle East, USA
Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest intellectuals in the world today. Back in 1999, he wrote a remarkable book, The Quest for Cosmic Justice. He relates in his book about the time in 1919 when The Bolsheviks created the secret police known as the Cheka. The similarities between the rhetoric of the Black Lives Matter movement and the Cheka are astounding. Sowell cited records from that era, which ought to sound familiar to us—a century later: (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Thomas Sowell, Bolsheviks, and BLM rhetoric Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
In defense of Colin Kaepernick, I made the supreme sacrifice four years ago: A one-time high school chum de-friended me on Facebook. He could not believe how liberal I had become – all because I insisted that football players like Kaepernick had a constitutional right to kneel during a pre-game playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Now Kaepernick – and by extension myself – has been vindicated. Taking a knee is such a fad that even police chiefs are doing it. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Vindication for Kaepernick, awakening for White America Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Sports & Competitions, USA