By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — It’s been a while since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade, and a bit less time since the same Court invalidated New York’s law against concealed weapons. But enough time for states’ actions to take their own course. A number of states — mostly in the […]
The Not-So United States Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Opinion, USA
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — Why do we believe what we do? Is our religion any better than others? Street epistemology aims to find out. In contrast to evangelism where one tries to convert another to a belief, street epistemology is quite different in that it does not aim to sway anyone. It is
Does Your Faith Stand Up to the Test? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Teresa_Konopka
By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — In the first episode of season three of The Kominsky Method (2021), there is a funeral service for Michael Douglas’ character’s lifelong friend Norman Newlander (played by Alan Arkin). By far the most inconsolable mourner to give a eulogy is Newlander’s personal assistant of 22 years who, amid a hyperbolical
Sleep No More: Capitalism and Insomnia Read More »
Opinion, Sam Ben-Meir, USA
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Samuel A. Alito Jr. tells “We the People:” “No support in American law for a constitutional right to obtain an abortion.” Not quite, Mr. Justice. True, our pre-amendment Constitution specifies no civil rights save a brief clause barring a “religious test” to hold public office. However, the Constitution’s Preamble
Justice Alito Overlooks the Preamble to the Constitution Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — The following is my summary of an excellent lecture by Haviv Rettig Gur, a well-known journalist for The Times of Israel. Gur’s lecture brings something new to the Arab-Israeli conundrum. It’s a wake-up call for Palestinian Arabs, explaining that their belief that Zionism is the ultimate reason for
The Palestinian Arabs’ False Impression of Zionism Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer
By Stephen Bryen (JNS) On Aug. 1, 1943 (29 Tammuz 5703) during the throes of World War II, a Jewish fighter pilot was shot down over Ukraine. She was Lydia Litvyak, Russia’s—and the world’s—first female fighter ace. The date of her death corresponds to the Hebrew calendar date of 29 Tammuz 5703, and July 28 will be her
Lydia Litvyak: World’s First Female Fighter Ace Read More »
International, Opinion, Stephen D. Bryen
By Rabbi Simcha Weiser (JNS) The Jewish future relies on the relevance that children find in what we Jewish teachers teach. Soon to be entering the new school year, we need thoughtful clarity for our teaching to remain relevant. As our Jewish educators prepare to “diligently teach our children,” we remind ourselves how privileged we
A Special Privilege to Teach Our Children Read More »
Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Liora Berkstein SAN DIEGO — My experience at the Maccabiah Games was unforgettable. I had the extraordinary opportunity to be a part of the iCenter’s Educational Cohort’s “Israel Connect Week,” which took place July 5-12, 2022, the week before the opening ceremonies of the Maccabiah games in Israel held July 12-26. The iCenter focuses
My Week With the Maccabiah Team USA Delegation Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Sports & Competitions, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Jeremy Ben-Ami might best be advised to check Principle #4 of J Street’s mission before he opens his big mouth in the future. Principle #4 of the Israel-centric organization advocates “vibrant but respectful debate about Israel.” Is “respectful” how J Street’s longtime president would characterize his statement in Saturday’s
J Street Gets a Z on Credibility Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Peter Tase MILWAUKEE — The select committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has organized various hearings with former high-level officials of the Trump administration among those subpoenaed was the former White House Counsel Pasquale “Pat” Cipollone who deposited on June 29, 2022, a testimony as a part of the
Exiled Tibetans Show Violence in January 6 Insurrection Read More »
International, Opinion, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — President Joe Biden’s recent visit here in Israel was hardly extraordinary. President Richard Nixon visited in 1974, the first American sitting president to do so. That was the year after the Yom Kippur War, when Nixon overruled his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and made sure Israel was
Presidential Visit to Israel is Hardly Extraordinary Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — He’s 79, eligible for residence in our retirement village. But still active. A resident of Delaware, and a U.S. senator then vice president since 1973. Israeli politicians are claiming that he’s visited Israel more times than any other president, but that may reflect little more than his long service
Joe Biden and His Visit to Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Shoshana Bryen (JNS) Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh died covering an Israeli counter-terror operation on the West Bank. That this was a tragedy is the only thing clear about her death. Various media outlets—some reasonably unbiased and some not—mounted “investigations.” Private companies, including a Dutch-based consortium, did their own. Politicians with an ax to grind
The Bullet That Killed Abu Akleh Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — What kind of people do we want as our leaders? Is it unreasonable to expect the individuals who govern our country and determine our fate, at least to some extent, to be honest, righteous and upstanding? The sad reality seems to be that decent, honest individuals are not
Integrity? Who Needs Integrity? Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Opinion, USA