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
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Miracles awaken our capacity to experience wonderment and awe. They speak to the deepest recesses of our soul without words—but through beauty. In the liturgy, Jewish tradition frequently invokes the imagery of the Red Sea, when Moses and his mighty staff made the waters part into […]
Not from outside, but from inside, are Jews threatened Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most rabbinical students attribute omnipresence and omniscience as qualities befitting a Creator. Only God is called, “The Knower of Thoughts,” and “The Searcher of the human heart.” Rabbinical wisdom has long taught, “Always keep in mind these three things, and you will never come to the
God may watch over us; the government shouldn’t Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Taliban carefully scripted the kerfluffle to embarrass the United States. Its not like we didn’t know they were in Qatar. For eighteen months, Doha has been the scene of sometimes secret, sometimes leaked U.S. talks with the Taliban — and without the Afghan government. But this week, Taliban
Why wait for Afghan withdrawal if it’s coming anyway? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Eva Trieger ENCINITAS, California– Jewish Fusion is an apt description of the selections recently shared by a contingent of the Soulfarm musical group in Temple Solel’s social hall. Noah Solomon and C Lanzbom performed pieces on lead and bass guitar, as well as mandolin. Harmonizing easily and encouraging audience participation on Monday evening, June
Soulfarm’s music connects with the Jewish neshama Read More »
Eva Trieger
Young Jerry Ford: Athlete and Citizen by Hendrik Booraem V; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; Grand Rapids, Mich: 2013; ISBN 978-0-8028-6942-5; 131 pages, cover price unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– U.S. President Gerald R. Ford’s biological father, Leslie King, was a wife beater. Luckily for her and her young son, Dorothy Gardner King
Youthful Ford had to overcome his temper Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — It is a matter of routine for the majority of Israel’s population that when children, whether boys or girls, reach the age of eighteen they go into one of the forces that make up the IDF in order to give two or three years of service to
When a grandson finishes his IDF training Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By David Amos SAN DIEGO –Every trip to Israel is an adventure, a revelation. No two trips are the same, and our recent ten day visit was no exception. Yes, we had the usual encounters with family and Israeli musicians, but after not being in Israel for years, we were treated to the country’s phenomenal
A Jordanian guide’s dream of peace Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON D.C. — This is what happens when the President of the United States is dragged into making foreign and defense policy decisions, instead of determining American interests and then making policy to suit. And it is what happens when the president fails to make a clear case for those policies not
Indecisive Obama slides into Syrian quagmire Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
Lee Mandel, Moryak: A Novel of the Russian Revolution, Glagoslav Publications, ISBN 978-17-826704-6-9, 398 pages, No cover price listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — It is a good thing that this book is labeled as a novel in its sub-title. Otherwise, in this age of public disclosures about government machinations and spying,
‘Moryak’ challenge: separate fact from fiction Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American people often prove to be more sophisticated about themselves, their rights, and their government than they get credit for. Even if they can’t enumerate the clauses, most people know the Bill of Rights is designed to restrict the government’s ability to curb their speech or religious practice;
Poll shows support for government spying Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — The decorated French-born violinist, Jacques Israelievitch, who served as assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony, then concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony followed by a two-decade stint as concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony, undertook a marathon performance challenge: playing three violin concerti in one evening! The three concerti, performed
This violin concert was a musical marathon Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 686 men who expressed their desire to run in Iran’s presidential election were whittled down to 8 — not by primaries, debates and polls, but by the six theologians and six jurists on the Guardian Council. The candidates had to be Iranian-born, over 21, and believe in “God,
Rouhani election not likely to change much in Iran Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — What do actor Herbert Siguenza and the late activist Abbie Hoffman have in common? Having had the honor to meet them both, I can say they are not only warm and charismatic, but they also share idealism as they want to make the world a better place and fight
Herbie and Abbie, such a match! Read More »
Mimi PollackBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The subject of the status of women in Israel is a tricky one, because on the one hand Israel aspires to be a modern, democratic society, and in the public sphere women are treated as equals, on the whole. On the other hand, though, its laws
Women’s status in Israel reflects a long ago age Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East