There are two fighters in the ring. One is bound to follow all the rules of boxing. For the other, there are no rules: he hits below the belt, uses his head, and when his opponent is down, he tries to finish him off with his feet. The referee pretends not to notice. [Yakov Nayerman]
Israel, Ukraine follow the rules in their respective wars Read More »
Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yakov NayermanWhen Zohran Mamdani — a demagogue, antisemite, pro-Hamas agitator, and militant social democrat — won by a wide margin in New York, everyone immediately turned to me: “Well? What do you say now? Even such a stubborn optimist as you can’t possibly find a bright side this time! Because there isn’t one!” [Yakov Nayerman]
The Mamdani Victory: A Stubborn Optimist’s Hypothesis Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yakov Nayerman
When she returned to Moscow in 1947, just after the war, she had no doubt where she wanted to study. She wanted to sing. And where had her beloved singer, Nadezhda Obukhova, graduated from? The Moscow Conservatory. That’s where my mother applied. [Yakov Nayerman]
My Mother’s Avinu Malkeinu Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yakov NayermanEvery day, when my father left for the factory in the morning, he and my mother were unsure he would return home. Any connection to Judaism could lead to arrest and prison. Circumcision, in particular. But for my grandfathers, a boy not circumcised was as though not yet born as a Jew. [Yakov Nayerman]
I have close family and friends in both countries. After news of another bombing, explosion, or attack, I call or write to them with the same question: “Are you okay?” [Yakov Nayerman]
OpEd: Ukraine and Israel Both Fight against Tyranny Read More »
International, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yakov NayermanThe ideologues of Iran’s Islamic Revolution believe that the return of the Mahdi is tied to Israel’s destruction. The Mahdi, in Shia Islam, is a messianic figure—roughly comparable to the Messiah in Jewish and Christian traditions. According to belief, he disappeared in the 9th century and will return at the end of time to bring justice and defeat evil. [Yakov Nayerman]
Iran Must Desist from its Attempts to Wipe Israel off the Map Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yakov NayermanI had hoped Israel would seize the opportunity and turn it into an effective counter-move. Especially when these self-proclaimed “truth-seekers” refused to watch a documentary on the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, making their bias painfully clear. This could have been the perfect moment for Israel to show the world that it supports humanitarian aid to Gaza—so long as it doesn’t go through Hamas. {Yakov Nayerman}
Trump demanded that Hamas release all hostages—warning that if they didn’t, “all hell will break out.” Now the U.S. is pushing Israel toward a ceasefire after only a partial release of a few hostages. There was massive bombing in Yemen, followed by a ceasefire with the Houthis that didn’t even require them to stop attacking Israel. There were threats against Qatar for financing Hamas and supporting pro-Hamas groups in the U.S.—and then trillion-dollar deals, warm hugs, and even acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet as a gift. [Yakov Nayerman]
OpEd: Trump and the ‘Mad-Man Walk’ Technique Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA, Yakov NayermanIn a small pet store in New York City lived a large cockatoo. The owner placed him right at the entrance to attract customers. And to be honest, he did a fine job — squawking rhymes and phrases at passersby all day long. [Yakov Nayerman]
Jewish Humor: Yasha the Parrot Read More »
Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, Yakov Nayerman“…In Pakistan, a person can be killed not just for converting, but even for behaving outside religious norms—not by the government, but by mobs of extremists. Very few countries are like Pakistan in this regard. Still, we’re an open nation. If someone doesn’t want to follow our laws, they’re free to leave for any country—except Israel.”
A Serious Discussion about Israel Between an American Jew and a Pakistani Muslim Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA, Yakov NayermanI took them along my favorite one-day guest route: the sandy cliffs and beaches of Torrey Pines, the seal lairs in La Jolla, and the Spanish-style facades in Balboa Park. My guests were thrilled and kept saying how much San Diego reminded them of Haifa. I was the one doing most of the talking and guiding. [Yakov Nayerman]
Fiction Writer Capsulizes Sacrifices by Israelis on Both Sides of Hostage Debate Read More »
Israel, Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yakov Nayerman
I knew that my mother had been around 14 when the war began and that she had spent most of it in evacuation in Yangiyul, not far from Tashkent. [Yakov Nayerman]
A Son, Commemorating Yom HaShoah, Remembers Promise to His Mother Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Yakov NayermanI don’t consider myself religious, but in our family, celebrating Passover is one of the most important events of the year. Every year, we gather around a festive table to repeat the formulaic sequence of storytelling and symbolism (after all, “Seder” means “order”). [Yakov Naverman]
San Diegan Recites His Own Personal Exodus — from Russia! Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA, Yakov Nayerman
We were instructed not to interact with them, but I felt an urge to ask some of the poster holders for explanations. Not to pick a fight, but to understand what they meant or to confirm my suspicion that they didn’t fully grasp what they were saying. For example, I would have liked to discuss with a lady holding a sign that read: “Proud to be a Jew. Proud to be anti-Zionist.” What did she mean? As anti-Zionism literally means the dismantling of our Jewish state, how could it coexist with being a “proud Jew”? [Yakov Nayerman]
Pro-Israel Rally Held Sunday at UCSD Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yakov Nayerman