Below are the names of writers who are currently active. For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com
Miriam Luxenberg, “Code Blue,” Jerusalem Publications, 2013, ISBN, 978-0-9888958-3-6, 208 pages By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There are two major ethical dilemmas presented in this novel. In the first, a mother gives birth and doctors say her child is irreparably brain damaged. They want to take the little boy off life support. Elsewhere […]
Medical practice, religious belief clash in ‘Code Blue’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — One of the famous and most important questions asked about Hanukkah reads: What is Hanukkah? [i.e., “Why do we celebrate Hanukkah?”]. The question strikes a modern reader as odd. Surely, the Jews must have known about the holiday’s significance for several centuries! On the surface, one
What historic sources say about Chanukah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–Americans tend to think of a 501(c)(3) tax exemption as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” from the U.S. Government, indicating that the organization does work of which the government approves. Not necessarily. In Financing the Flames, Edwin Black reveals his meticulous research on “human rights” organizations that use charitable funds
Some ‘peace’ groups provoke anti-Israel incidents Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO―The White House has demanded that North Korea release Merrill Newman because he is 85 years old and in poor health. Joe Biden has been dispatched there to negotiate Newman’s freedom and is allegedly willing to trade two healthy forty-two year olds for the ailing Newman. * Amazon has announced that
Humoring the Headlines: December 2, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Donald H. Harrison CHULA VISTA, California — Temple Beth Shalom celebrated the fifth night of Chanukah Dec. 1 in both ancient and modern style. “Chanukah” is a Hebrew word meaning “dedication” as when the Maccabees rededicated the ancient Temple in Jerusalem in 167 BCE after it had been defiled by the Syrian
Rapping through Chanukah Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Jesse Jackson once said that he gets nervous whenever he sees a group of young black men standing on a corner doing nothing—and he’s not the only one. By now, most of you may have heard about a game called “Knockout.” In places like Crown Heights in
Beware Black racism and ‘knockout’ gangs Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
Nick Kotz, The Harness Maker’s Dream: Nathan Kallison and the Rise of South Texas, TCU Press, 2013, ISBN 9780875655673, 320 pages, $25.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–I suppose the thing that makes me the saddest about The Harness Maker’s Dream is that the “villain” in this excellent-reading story about the Kallison family empire in
The remarkable clash of 2 Jewish retail titans Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — I often get asked the questions, “What is the symbolism of the dreidel? What exactly is its origin?” The dreidel is a four cornered top that was popular in the medieval era and originally used for gambling. Jewish folklore purports that when the Syrians prohibited the
Symbolism of the dreidel and other Chanukah lore Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiFirst of two articles By Steve Kramer The recent negotiations between Iran and the five UN Security Council permanent members + Germany were concluded successfully, according to the American government. “Obama said that the deal allows world powers to continue to apply ‘the toughest sanctions,’ but refrains from imposing new sanctions. The White House said
Iran wins, West loses Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON–An art exhibit to be shown through Thursday, Dec. 12, at Grossmont College’s Hyde Art Gallery explores how artists are influenced by their mentors. The works of five artists are examined, including those of the late Manny Farber and Patricia Patterson, a husband-and-wife team who inspired the works and
A symbiotic relationship: Filmmaking and painting Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
Aletha Gold and Luca Zordan, Children of Israel, Gefen Publishing House, 2013, ISBN 9789652296238; 191 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Here is a photo book portraying the multi-ethnic character of Israel while expressing the wish that the children pictured can grow up together in peace. It is a volume with voluminous purposes:
San Diego photographer reviews Israel portrait book Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — When protests broke out in Syria in late 2011, Russia hoped for a short, nasty war as a matter of Russian national interest — just enough to put the Muslim Brotherhood and assorted Sunnis in their place. Violence from its own Sunni Muslim population has plagued Russia for decades.
New Obama allies: Russia, Iran, Syria? Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California – As if Thanksgiving and the first day of Chanukah falling on the same day were not coincidence enough, the comet ISON will be at its closest point to the sun—about 750,000 miles away– on that day, Thursday, Nov. 28th. Grossmont College Astronomy Prof. Ross Cohen says for
Comet ISON to reach perihelion on Thanksgiving-Chanukah Day Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration is entitled to be furious with Israel. Although the U.S. got bragging rights for its (one-sided-not-in-our-favor) deal with Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu remains determined publicly to say what the President wants to hide: Iran’s nuclear program could not be negotiated away, rolled back significantly or
U.S. has abandoned its principles in Iran N-Deal Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen