News Sources

OpEd: Israel Must Allow More Food into Gaza

Feeding people who are starving, as Gazans are every day, is a profound act of goodness. You and I know this. We know that Israel should not be stopping, or even slowing, aid at Gaza’s doors. And right now, Israeli policies are contributing to rampant hunger—and the imminent risk of famine. And we know that people working to get food to the hungry should be protected, not endangered. All of it breaks my heart.  [Daniel Sokatch]

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Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Jews Must Set the Record Straight about the War in Gaza

If Hamas and other extremist Arabs are fighting for self-determination in the territories, why did they slaughter 1,200 Jews in such a savage manner? In sovereign Israel, mind you, not Gaza or the West Bank. Why did the Palestinian leadership reject Israel’s offer of a Palestinian state 24 years ago? Why does Hamas refuse a cease-fire while civilians continue to starve and face Israel’s military attacks? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Shemini: The Value of Silence

God was teaching Moshe that there are things that one can understand only if one sees the entire picture. This can only be done when one is silent because when one speaks, one concentrates only on what he’s saying, ignoring the surroundings. Shtikah allows one to evaluate his surroundings and to see the entire picture. [Rabbi Daniel Reich]

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Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Leslie Howard

In 1939, he starred with Ingrid Bergman in Intermezzo and, in perhaps his best-known role, he performed as Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind in a cast that included Clark Gable, Oliva de Havilland, and Vivian Leigh.  He returned to England to help with the war effort thereafter, making such World War II films as 49th Parallel, Pimpernel , and The First of the Few.  [SDJW staff]

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International, Jewish Celebrities, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Deconstructing the Myths of King Solomon

Solomon is credited for discovering the true mother of a baby simply because one of the two disputing prostitutes agreed to give up the child when Solomon foolishly said he would slice the child in two and give each a half. Rational thinkers and legal experts recognize this was Solomon’s unintelligent decision. Her act proves nothing. She may not have been the mother,
but she agreed to give up the child to the true mother simply because she did not want to carry her farce to the end, where the child was murdered. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Parsha Shemini–Hachodesh: The Silence of Aaron

We read, “And Aaron was silent.” SILENT? Aaron, the boys’ father was SILENT? How could a parent be silent upon losing two sons? How can we be silent in the face of the frightening eruption of antisemitism in our lives? This narrative has troubled many erudite scholars, thinkers, and elders over centuries. We are currently ensnared in a time that has killed many, upended lives, and endangered our daily paths. Are we to be silent? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Sydney Newman

The Avengers debuted in 1961, becoming an international success.  In 1962, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) stole him away from ABC.  He created a new anthology series, The Wednesday Play, and in 1963, he initiated the very successful science fiction series Doctor Who, about a space and time traveler who takes on human identities to benefit humanity.  Near the end of his five-year BBC contract, he green-lighted Donald Wilson’s The Forsyte Saga, which was one of the most acclaimed series of his era. [SDJW stafff]

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International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast