Israel

Israel Mesmerized by Videos of Hostages Returning to Their Families

And so a whole nation, and possibly a whole world, watched with bated breath and swelling hearts as returning hostages ran into the arms of their waiting mothers and fathers, embracing siblings, friends, and even in some exceptional cases their own young children. It was impossible not to be moved at the sight, and not to share in the joy and relief of all concerned. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Reactions to a Historic Day in the Saga of the Middle East

After 738 Days, Hostages are Freed.  7+3+8 = 18, Life! Here in alphabetical order are the reactions from a variety of perspectives to Hamas freeing its hostages; the prospect of peace in the Middle East; and the role of U.S. President Donald J. Trump in achieving this blue-ribbon moment. [SDJW staff]

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: This Day Belongs to the Hostages and Their Persistent Families

The truth of this moment does not belong to any one man or office. It belongs to the hostages themselves—to the quiet resilience that sustained them through hunger, darkness, and fear; to the families who refused to let the world forget; and to a nation that, even through its grief and anger, never stopped believing in the sanctity of life. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hostages are Free, Free at Last

We have collectively been holding our breath, waiting for this moment. The images leave us speechless – filled with relief and joy at their return, burdened by the painful knowledge that their healing will be long and difficult, and grieving for the 28 who did not survive captivity. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Nobel Peace Prize

President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked into the office at Carter’s Camp David cabin, followed by Begin and Sadat. There was an awkward moment as the two Middle East leaders had to decide who would enter next. How did Rosalynn Carter later describe how this scene played out? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Thriller Fiction: Neo-Nazis Plan Mass Casualty Event in Washington D.C.

Zorn is assigned by his superiors at the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police to go undercover and, if possible, to thwart the plans of the mysterious leader of the American neo-Nazi movement, who goes by the pseudonym of Black Sun. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Healing History Through Song: A German Musician’s Message of Peace from Auschwitz to Jerusalem

On a gray morning in Auschwitz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt stood quietly, guitar in hand, before the gates that once marked the dividing line between life and death. [Karen Hall]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Welcome! A Fourth Generation of the Shefer Family

Over the years our family has grown, all three of our children have married and produced children, so that by now we have more grandchildren than we can count on the fingers of two hands, and have had to enlarge our dining table several times to accommodate the growing family. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share