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 Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Obama stood with Afghan President Karzai to announce the “Afghanization” of the war, it seems appropriate to weigh the president’s words on the way out against his words on the way in. We were in Afghanistan, of course, long before he got there, but the president’s 2009 […]
Obama withdraws from Afghanistan; objectives unmet Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — The Rabbi’s Cat, an animated French-language, English-subtitled film playing in a limited engagement at Landmark’s Hillcrest Theatre from Friday, Jan. 18 through Thursday, Jan. 24, is an adventure story in which a talking cat, his rabbi master, an Arab sheikh, an exiled czarist Russian and a Russian Jewish
‘Rabbi’s Cat’ an insightful, funny cartoon for adults Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Mayor Bob Filner, in his first State of the City message, lauded San Diegans who have brought glory to the city in the past, while indicating new directions for the city’s future. He forecast for his first term pronounced emphasis on bilateral relations with Tijuana, marketing San Diego
Filner charms as he lays out new directions for city Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Much of the Palestinian-Israeli Oslo “peace process” mythology is grounded in the idea that if “the Palestinians” were treated as a single, responsible partner, they would behave like one. If “the Palestinians” got enough foreign aid, they would spend it to alleviate the poverty of their people. If “the
Hamas sentences a Fatah bombmaker Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
Aliza Auerbach, Survivors, Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem (c) 2012, ISBN 978-965-229-586-6, 208 pages, cover price not listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — This coffee-table book was a bit formulaic for my taste, but it does make in photographs the Talmudic point that to save one life is as if to save the world.
Photo book shows Survivor families – 2 and 3 generations later Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a question I received from one my students in our synagogue Introduction to Judaism class. There seems to be a tension between the Jewish mitzvah (commandment) concerning marriage (and subsequently being fruitful), and the concept of love (specifically romantic love, as defined in terms
What does Judaism have to say about love and marriage? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — A recital by world-famous pianist, Stephen Kovacevich (formerly Bishop) was an event not to be missed, especially since the programme contained Schubert’s divine posthumous Sonata, Deutsch no. 960. So we bought our tickets and eagerly awaited the appointed date. The evening’s programme was set to start with Beethoven’s Bagatelles, opus
Concert pianist needed to warm up — literally Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Hats off to the weather forecasters! Last week they said that a perfect storm was coming, and this week it did. Sunday was still fairly reasonable, chilly but not too bad. One could still get out and about here in the Jerusalem area with relative ease, and function
Storm filled the lake–and everything else Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States is about to get new secretaries of state and defense and a new director of Central Intelligence. It is devoutly to be hoped that they will not travel in the well-worn grooves of the Israel-Palestinian “peace process.” The “two-state solution,” beloved of the United States and
The shifting patterns of Palestinian politics Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — About 15 years ago, a student of mine with blue eyes told me he was a Kurdish Jew. I was surprised because most of my Kurdish students at Grossmont College in nearby El Cajon were Muslim with a scattering of Christians. It turns out I was wrong. Before the
Book tells of immigrants and their Aramaic language Read More »
Mimi PollackBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — In the Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary named for his family and that of his wife Elaine, Murray Galinson was eulogized Monday, Jan. 7, by two rabbis, two friends, and three children during a service that drew a High Holy Day-sized crowd that Congregation Beth Israel’s president Emily Jennewein estimated at
1,000 pack funeral service for Murray Galinson Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In this week’s Torah portion, we read about a strange story that nearly costs Moses his life (Exod. 4:24-27). As he was about to return to Egypt, Moses takes his wife (Tsipporah) and sons and travel toward Egypt. However, along the way, it appears that Moses
May women perform ritual circumcisions? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Dora Klinova, “The Queen of the Universe; the Vortex of Creation,” (c) 2012, Legacy Line Publishing, ISBN 97800-98197-842-0; 80 pages, $26.95, via the author at 619 667-0925. Another 140-page version (with more photos) available through Amazon for $41.95. An electronic version is available at $3.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Author Dora Klinova,
Saving the environment–a drop at a time Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
Story and photo by Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — What place better than the Corvette Diner to take a man who has earned his living on-stage being the “fifth Beatle” in the tribute group “Rain” which opened a five-concert set at San Diego’s Civic Center on Friday night and will close after two concerts
Rain’s ‘fifth Beatle’ grooves at Corvette Diner Read More »
Donald H. Harrison