To any dispassionate observer of the Middle East, it is crystal clear that a so-called “Two-State Solution” between a once-compliant, democratic, Israel and the violent, rejectionist, two-headed Palestinian hydra is impossible. [Barry Shaw]
Ahead of the Trump peace plan, some hard truths Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle East, USA
Various passages in the Torah teach us not only to refrain from harming animals, but to be kind to them as well. That’s why it’s appropriate to think of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience as a place where ethical and religious precepts can be learned not only in words, but also in deeds. [Donald H. Harrison]
Torah precepts in action at wildlife center Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
In 2016, one university, Fordham University in New York, cognizant of SJP’s history of poisoning dialogue on campuses and promoting a campaign of libels, defamation, and lies against Israel and Jewish students, reversed the decision of the student government to allow SJP to become a recognized student organization and decided that SJP, based on its sorry record at other universities, had no place at Fordham. [Richard L. Cravatts, PhD]
Fordham’s proper effort to exclude SJP from its campus Read More »
Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Other items in this column include: * Capacity crowd seen for Tzipi Livni * Two Jewish fraternities among 14 suspended at SDSU * Political bytes * Coming our way By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Assemblyman Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in his bid to succeed termed-out Kevin Faulconer
Feinstein endorses Gloria; FPPC fines him Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
The pain endured by residents of the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh in the past year has yet to faze Pennsylvania lawmakers like Mike Turzai and Joseph B. Scarnati III – not enough to join attempts by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and City Council to stem gun violence. [Bruce S. Ticker]
No gun control in sight even after Pittsburgh massacre Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA
President Trump’s inviting of Turkey’s President Erdogan to Washington comes at a peculiar time when the House of Representatives is pursuing the impeachment inquiry against Trump and when Erdogan is preoccupied with his invasion of Syria and the growing frustration of the Turkish public with his ruthless domestic and adventurous foreign policy. The question is, what message will Erdogan’s visit send to both the US’ friends and foes? [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
Trump-Erdogan meeting an exercise in cynicism Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA
– The Poway City Council voted unanimously to “robust applause” on Tuesday to rename Eva Drive in the northern portion of the city as Lori Lynn Lane, in memory of the Chabad of Poway congregant who was murdered in an attack on the synagogue by a gunman. Lori Lynn Gilbert-Kaye’s “life was exemplary and I hope it (the renamed street) causes someone to learn a little bit more about her, and how kind she was, how compassionate she was, how generous she was, and how selfless she was,” commented Mayor Steve Vaus, who sits on the five-member City Council. [Donald H. Harrison]
Poway names a street for Lori Lynn Gilbert-Kaye Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
The origins of U.S.-Israel security cooperation are in the Cold War understanding that the United States could not engage all the adversaries of all its allies and friends around the world. It was embraced warily at first — the Americans were unconvinced they would receive anything of value and the Israelis were concerned about continued freedom of action. But it worked. Israel went from being considered a net security consumer to a net security producer, meaning the United States did not have to expend resources to defend Israel. And Israel participated in making the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean regions more secure due to its presence. [Shoshana Bryen]
How U.S. benefits from alliance with Israel Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
Stephen D. Smith is the executive director of the USC Shoah Foundation, which houses the archive of interviews of Holocaust Survivors financed by movie producer Steven Spielberg. He will be a special guest Jan. 12 at the grand opening of RUTH (Remember Us The Holocaust), a Chula Vista Civic Library exhibit named in honor of the late Holocaust survivor Ruth Sax. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chula Vista exhibit to focus on Holocaust survivors Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Social media users in San Diego County and around the country soon will be bombarded with the Republican Jewish Coalition’s opening salvo in an effort to reelect Donald Trump in 2020 – a 30-second video spot contending it is a “shanda” (disgrace) how leading Democrats are attacking Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Republicans launch bid for Jewish support in 2020 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, USA
We are nearing the end of 2019. And, there’s something significant to note about this year and 2020: There will likely not be any tax increases during these years. Currently, we are enjoying the lowest income tax rates in decades as well as the highest estate tax exemptions. Income tax rates range from 10% to 37% and capital gains tax ranges from 0% to 20%, while the estate & gift tax exemption is $11,400,000 per person! What does this have to do with you? Plenty! Especially if you have retirement accounts and/or are worth more than $2 million per person. [Sheryl Rowling, CPA]
Time to consider Roth conversions, estate planning Read More »
Business & Finance, Sheryl Rowling, USA
The playwright Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) grew bored and frustrated by what passed for theatre early in his life. There were few stories told that connected with reality; instead, theater essentially was spectacle – lots of costumes, big sets, predictable plots and one-dimensional characters. He wanted to change all that, suggested Tory Starling, the educational technician at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site. He experimented in various forms of theatre. [Donald H. Harrison]
Tao House: Where O’Neill wrote well-known plays Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USABoth Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have made US military aid to Israel a cornerstone policy on their competing campaign trails. Detractors of Israel like to jump on the figure of $3.8 Billion (2019) that the United States gives to Israel for its military defense. What they do not take into consideration are three important factors that make the US-Israel defense relationship truly unique. [Barry Shaw]
U.S. receives large returns on Israel investment Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle East, USA
The slights, slurs, and racist comments that Marra had to endure will make my fellow Jewish readers’ cringe. How can any Jew, knowing how our people have long felt the sting of prejudice, inflict such outrageous behavior on a person of another ethnicity? But to our shame, some of us do. [Donald H. Harrison]
A memoir of overcoming racism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, USA