Jewish History

Former Israel ‘Hawk’ Tells of His Transformation to a ‘Dove’

It’s a well-worn political observation that “it took a Nixon to go to China,” meaning because President Richard M. Nixon was identified as a staunch conservative, he was trusted to go to mainland China and open a dialogue with that nation’s communist rulers, a dialogue that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two adversary countries. [Donald H. Harrison]

Former Israel ‘Hawk’ Tells of His Transformation to a ‘Dove’ Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East

Joe Lieberman: Lessons Learned from Menachem Begin’s Life

Winston Churchill once wrote, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to go.” I thought of those words recently after watching Upheaval, a new documentary film produced by the Hidden Light Institute in Denver about the life of Menachem Begin, Israel’s sixth Prime Minister. Begin’s public life ended almost three decades ago, but this film offers insights and lessons in leadership, civility, anti-Semitism and Israel that are surprisingly relevant today. [Joseph Lieberman]

Joe Lieberman: Lessons Learned from Menachem Begin’s Life Read More »

Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Good News from Israel (July 25, 2021)

In the July 25, 2001 1 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–Very Good news for 4 Israeli Covid-19 vaccines and treatments.
I–srael signs major cybersecurity agreement with Morocco.
–An Israeli startup converts food waste into useful bioplastics.
–Netflix buys a new Israeli series and Iranians will be able to watch Fauda.
–Five more gold medals for top Israeli gymnast.
–Israeli parachutists mark centenary of the birth of Hanna Szenes.
[Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (July 25, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Plea Deal Will Keep Chabad of Poway Shooter Behind Bars for Life

ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) San Diego Regional Office welcomed Tuesday’s announcement by San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan that they have reached a plea deal with the accused Poway Chabad synagogue shooter, which will see the suspect spend the rest of his life behind bars. [Anti-Defamation League news release]

Plea Deal Will Keep Chabad of Poway Shooter Behind Bars for Life Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Good News from Israel (July 18, 2021)

By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — In the 18th July 21 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:  Israeli tech restores the sense of touch and helps the blind to “see.” Celebrating Israel’s first deaf MK and its first visually impaired doctor. Israel’s second moonshot project gets huge funding boost. Israeli scientists have made

Good News from Israel (July 18, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA

Antisemitism and the Courts Probed in New Book

In Courtroom Trials in Jewish History, attorney and Jewish-community activist Esther Zaretsky offers an eclectic collection of stories about Jews who, in a broad sense, have had their day in court, courts representing justice at its worst, verdicts driven by antisemitism and anti-Israeli hatred. The title is somewhat of a misnomer, as there are no depositions or testimonies; no exhibits or closing arguments. Rather, Zaretsky provides the backstory leading up to the trial, the verdict, emphasizing how the “courts fail to affirm society’s most precious values of justice, equality, morality, and the preservation of human rights,” and its aftermath—we get to hear the rest of the story. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

Antisemitism and the Courts Probed in New Book Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

The Importance of Plants in Religious Art

What is the message conveyed by the representation of plants in religious text? What do the images that these references bring to our minds tell us about a people and a society? These are questions posed by award-winning artist and author Gloria Abella Ballen, whose book Garden of Eden: Plants of the Hebrew Bible was the subject of a recent webinar sponsored by the American Sephardic Federation. [Ellen Hernandez]

The Importance of Plants in Religious Art Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Good News from Israel (July 11, 2021)

-In the July 11, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–Israeli breakthroughs in transplantation and medical device technology.
–Israel provides running water to Tanzanians and Native Americans.
–Israel’s Technion is Europe’s top institute for Artificial Intelligence.
–Israel has begun producing pure water from the Jordan River.
–A face-recognition tech startup is Israel’s latest $1 billion company.
I–sraelis won medals at informatics and acrobatics.
–Stunning discoveries revealed during excavations in Jerusalem.
[Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (July 11, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA