USA

Jewish Stories Are Everywhere — Especially in Books

It’s my joy to review for this publication many current books — especially memoirs, biographies, and novels — but occasionally when there are none left on the pile to review, I have the opportunity to tuck into older books recommended to me by friends and relatives who know that I love to find stories corroborating this publication’s mantra that “There is a Jewish story everywhere.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Legislature approves Nearly $80 Million for Jewish-interest Causes

The California State Legislature on Monday approved legislation setting the parameters for the 2021–2022 state budget. The budget agreement adopted by the State Senate and State Assembly provides significant increases in funding for top Jewish community priorities, including enhancing the security of vulnerable Jewish community institutions, supporting the work of major Jewish social services agencies, and strengthening Holocaust education across the State of California. [Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel news release]

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USA

8-Month Prison Term for Defendant in Chabad of Poway Fraud Case

Stuart Weinstock, an Escondido businessman and former owner of Salsa Market in Vista, was sentenced in federal court Monday to eight months in custody for evading over $180,000 in taxes as part of an eight-year tax-evasion scheme with former Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. [U.S. Attorney’s Office, San Diego]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

U.S. to expand work permits for immigrants who are crime victims

Published by Reuters By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A new U.S. immigration policy announced on Monday will expand access to work permits and deportation relief to some immigrants who are crime victims while their visa cases are pending. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will create a process that could allow tens of thousands of

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USA

Biden congratulates incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Sunday offered incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett his “warm congratulations” in telephone talks, the White House said, after an alliance of parties ousted Benjamin Netanyahu and formed a new government. “I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair

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USA

Good News from Israel (June 13, 2021)

In the June 13, 3021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israel has now had several days with no new coronavirus cases.
–An Israeli eye-scanning device performs blood tests without blood.
–Israel was overwhelmingly voted onto the UN Economic and Social Council.
–Israelis use bacteria to keep crops fresh – in the ground and on the shelf.
–2021 investment in Israeli startups has already exceeded the total for all of 2020.
–Divers can explore Israel’s new unique underwater nature park
–Evidence that the land of Israel was an ancient trade center
[Michael Ordman]

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

OpEd: Gender Studies Faculties Blindly Side with Hamas

Seeming to give proof to Orwell’s observation that some ideas are so stupid they could only have been thought of by intellectuals, yet another group of academics—this time faculty in some 120 Gender Studies departments—has, after the latest conflict in Gaza, followed the lead of various student governments, faculty, and other academic organizations by launching yet another attack in the cognitive war against Israel. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

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Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

ADL Report Exposes Antisemitism and Incitement in State-Sponsored Sermons

NEW YORK (Press Release) — During and after the recent outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas, top religious officials in seven U.S.-allied Mideast countries used their positions of authority to spread incitement to hatred or violence against Jews and Israel. A new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), issued Friday, provides new translations of

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Middle East, USA

Jewish-owned cafe in San Francisco tagged with antisemitic graffiti

(June 9, 2021 / JNS) A popular Jewish-owned bookshop, cafe and event space in San Francisco was vandalized on Sunday with antisemitic and pro-Palestinian graffiti. Manny’s in the Mission District was tagged with blue paint and the phrases “Racist pigz,” “Zionist pigz,” and “Free Palestine.” “Targeting Jewish businesses is straight-up anti-Semitic,” California State Sen. Scott

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Middle East, USA

Los Angeles teachers union to vote on resolution endorsing BDS movement

(June 9, 2021 / JNS) The leadership of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) is scheduled to vote in September on a proposed resolution that urges the U.S. government to end aid to Israel and endorses the BDS movement “against apartheid in Israel,” reported The Los Angeles Times. “As public-school educators in the United States,

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Middle East, USA

Can the Biden administration capitalize on an inexperienced Bennett-Lapid government?

By Dmitriy Shapiro (June 9, 2021 / JNS) With the likelihood that new leadership will be sworn in next week in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure from the role he has held for almost two decades has some worried about how an inexperienced leadership spanning the breadth of viewpoints will handle Israel’s important relationship

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Middle East, USA

More Than a Raceway: Novel Presents a Jewish Side of Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen by Eleanor Lerman; Mayapple Press 2021; ISBN 9781952-781018; 213 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is known for Watkins Glen International, a race car venue that permits ordinary citizens to take three laps around the track in their personal cars for a fee.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, USA