USA

Good News from Israel (November 28, 2021)

In the November 28, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Two Israeli breakthroughs in cancer research.
–Two Israeli women “break the glass ceiling” – in innovation and IDF leadership.
–Two historic events uniting Israel and the UAE.
–Two more cool Israeli energy-saving innovations.
–Boost in Israel’s economic ties with Serbia and Morocco.
–Four more billion-dollar Israeli companies.
–Israeli wins at the Emmy awards and in the World jiu-jitsu championships.
–Two major Temple-era archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Israeli Philharmonic String Quartet to Perform in La Jolla Dec. 8

– Celebrating the Israel Philharmonic’s 85th anniversary, the Israel Philharmonic String Quartet is touring the United States. Their San Diego stop will be Wednesday evening, December 8 in the Baker-Baum Concert Hall at the Conrad, 7600 Fay St. in La Jolla. The hour-long concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature single movements from quartets by Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Haydn. There will be a Gala Reception prior to the concert, sponsored by Sharon and Richard Gabriel and a dessert following the concert. 

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA

Music Was The Flashlight: A Profile of Yale Strom

Strom is known in the modern Jewish world, and certainly around San Diego, for his accomplishments as a violinist, composer, filmmaker, writer, photographer, and playwright. He’s conducted significant research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Roma communities, as well as toured with his klezmer band Hot Pstromi Trio. They compose their own New Jewish music combining klezmer with Chasidic nigunim, Roma, jazz, classical, Balkan and Sephardic motifs. [Danielle Levsky]

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Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Varied Lives of Israeli Expatriates in Southern California

Spending time in Orange County gives one a new perspective on life as it is lived by former Israelis in America. Like all other ethnic groups, they tend to gather together in groups, associate socially with one another, speak their own language and maintain their traditional habits. So, although it came as something of a surprise to find that our son and his partner seem to associate almost entirely with former Israelis, what was surprising was to discover how varied their lives are. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA

3 Subjects Worthy of Deep Study: Torah, JCC’s, Mideast History

The great Jewish texts and sources are an enormous trove of knowledge, insights, traditions, and wisdom. His months at Pardes will barely scratch the surface and are tantamount to studying the initial pages of the first volume of a 32-volume encyclopedia—just enough to know that he’ll hardly know anything. But through these months, he will have evolved both respect and appreciation for the works’ scope and breadth. [Doron Krakow]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

U.S. Overriding Israel’s Fears in Latest Deal Making Effort with Iran

The United States, France, Germany, the UK, the EU, Russia, and China are about to resume “negotiating” the JCPOA, better known as the “Iran Deal,” concerning Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.  Who’s missing from these meetings? Those countries most at risk from Iran’s warmongering: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states.  Not only is Israel not invited or even consulted, but the Biden Administration has given a clear warning to Israel to desist from taking any further actions against Iran which might exacerbate tensions, such as cyber warfare, assassinations, or “accidents” which occur in Iran. Evidently, the current US government doesn’t want any impediments to its “longer, stronger” deal with Iran – as if that were possible. [Steve Kramer]

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International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Wait! Are Those Turkeys Kosher?

Some of the rabbis of the previous centuries identified the turkey as the הוֹדוּ תַּרְנְגוֹל “Indian chicken,” and thought the bird originated in India. Jews were not the only ones who thought this way. The French referred to turkey as poulet d’Inde (“Chicken from India”), as did the Polish, Ukrainian and Russian countries. It was assumed that the rabbis in India permitted it. However, this was an assumption that could never be proven since it was based on a false assumption: Turkeys did not exist in India! [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA

Comparisons Between Black Americans and Palestinians Are Inaccurate

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Black community will protest police and vigilante-like killings of African-Americans; the ongoing violence within Black neighborhoods; criminal trials that resemble kangaroo courts; and over such issues as voter suppression, schools and housing. Rioting over metal-detectors, though, has not emerged in the Black community’s struggle for social justice. Yet

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Thanksgiving = Thanks + Giving

The Judaic meaning of gratitude must go beyond the mere recognition of God’s countless blessings we experience in our lives. What exactly does “thanksgiving” mean? Thanksgiving comes from two words, “thanks,” and “giving.” True Thanksgiving involves a willingness to share God’s blessings and create blessing in the lives of others around us. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

What Accounts for Israel’s Weight in World Affairs?

Israel is a serious country. It’s hard to imagine, from a perspective of years ago. Now more than 9 million in population, with a currency increasing in value against others, and apparently able to extract two citizens accused of treason in Turkey due to what seems like the innocent photograph of the President’s residence, without an overt concession to Turkey. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Dolly Parton Inspired the PJ Library Program for Jewish Children

Jewish books from the PJ Library are mailed free every month to 680,000  Jewish children to be read to them at bedtime by their parents or guardians.  Yes, you can thank Harold  Grinspoon, the Massachusetts real estate entrepreneur who funds much of this philanthropy, along with Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, his daughter-in-law who serves as president of his Foundation. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Judaism, Lifestyles, USA

Rep. Sara Jacobs Denounces Anti-Transgender Discrimination

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) spoke on the House floor Wednesday evening on Transgender Awareness Week. Her remarks stressed the persistent threats trans people face, the importance of fighting for trans equality, and the need to honor and uplift trans voices.  Congresswoman Jacobs’ remarks came as part of a Special Order program organized by the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.  [Sara Jacobs Press Release]

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San Diego County, USA

Gosar Is Censured But Why Not Omar and Tlaib?

We cannot argue with Nancy Pelosi: “When a member uses his or her national platform to encourage violence, tragically, people listen.” Whenever her Democratic colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives bash Israel and by association American Jews, they are inciting violence throughout the United States, as it trembles under the crush of antisemitism. However, the Speaker of the House was addressing the sins of Rep. Paul Gosar. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA