By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson LONDON, England — As we all know, London has a lot to offer in the way of culture, amusement, entertainment and delights of all kinds. However, there is a very big “but” to enjoying London, and my latest visit has brought this into relief. So, I have made a series of notes to
Things not to do in merry old England Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, InternationalBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, has announced he will retire from that position on March 5, 2017, which with accumulated vacation days, will conclude his tenure officially on July 31, 2017. In all, he will have served San Diego’s oldest Conservative congregation for 29
Rosenthal to retire as Tifereth Israel’s rabbi Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Michael Mantell, San Diego CountyBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — “Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must,” counseled Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. But what’s with the “must”, JW? When “must” we “endure”? By the time you finish this column, you’ll realize you don’t need to ever endure life, but rather you can find enjoyment in
Don’t endure life, enjoy it Read More »
Michael Mantell, USABy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Those of us familiar with the word “shtetl” often conjure up mental images of a small town in Eastern Europe; the world of Tevye fiddling on the edge of his roof. These memories were handed down by our forebears along with faded pictures of grimy houses and dusty
From the Jewish library: ‘Shtetl’ Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Although the numbers are far from exact, the extent and the immediate causes of continued mass migration are well known. They are conflict/chaos in a number of Muslim countries, violence of a different kind along the routes the supply illegal drugs to the US, and poverty throughout Africa. One picture of a
Western advances fuel migrant crises Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky
SAN DIEGO (SDONA)–After decades of delays, Jonas Salk Elementary School in Mira Mesa will open its doors to students for the first time Tuesday as the San Diego Unified School District begins its new academic year. The $24 million school is named after Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the first successful polio vaccine and later
School named for Jonas Salk to open Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Back in April, I wrote a column for this online newspaper that previewed a new cli-fi movie from an independent producer in Hollywood that had backers like Sir Richard Branson and the World Bank behind it: Chloe and Theo. The co-star was Theo Ikummaqs, an Inuit man from Canada who
Climate comedy for teens may do better on TV Read More »
Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison CARLSBAD, California – Within a matter of months, most probably before the end of the 2015 calendar year, the San Diego County Water Authority will receive 50 million gallons of fresh water each day from the new $1 billion Carlsbad Desalination Plant and pipeline that was financed by Poseidon Water
Largest sea- to- fresh water plant in U.S. coming on line Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA
Uncovered by Leah Lax; She Writes Press; © 2015; ISBN 978-1631529955; $16.95 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This touchingly written, respectful yet controversial, woman’s odyssey from unhappy, repressed childhood to Hasidism and thence, in middle age, to freedom and the personal security found in lesbianism, is bound to be earnestly debated by readers.
Memoir relates journey from Hasidism to lesbianism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Parashat Ki Tavo contains a list of blessings and curses. If the Israelites are faithful to the Covenant and obedient to God they will receive the blessings. If they turn away from God and don’t observe the mitzvot they will receive the curses instead. In introducing the blessings
Where can you find true blessings? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are two issues on our agenda whose details will not interest many of you. But how they are being managed, or not managed, reveals something about government in this tiny Jewish republic. What follows is not anti-Semitism. But one must admit that the temptation exists. One is the already
Israeli politics meander through gas, police decisions Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastLaser technology lets handicapped Israelis make music with their bodies (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) An Israeli initiative could significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other untreatable diseases. The Grabski Rehabilitation Center in Migdal Haemek in northern Israel has decided to spread joy through a music room
Jewish news briefs: September 4, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA