By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO–The exact date of the creation of the original Sarajevo Haggadah is not known, nor is its place of origin. However, it surfaced in Barcelona, circa 1350 CE but some historians believe it was brought to Sarajevo by Jews fleeing the Expulsion from Spain in 1492. It is hand written on […]
From the Jewish library: ‘The Sarajevo Haggadah’ Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It isn’t yet a deal, but an oral recitation of principles. That there isn’t something to be signed is potentially significant, to be tested over the next 80 days or so during which the agreement is supposed to be finalized. Among what we hear is that the Farsi version does not square
Perceptions of N- deal vary greatly Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — You cannot read about the agreement with Iran in Israel without having countless questions. Here are some: Is Lausanne 2015 like Munich 1938 and worse? It’s impossible to listen to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the clones who speak on his behalf without asking this question. And it’s equally impossible
Questions and more questions in wake of N- framework Read More »
Middle East, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — When I heard recently that the well-known sci-fi novelist Alan Dean Foster was one of the contributors included in a new anthology of science fiction stories titled Loosed Upon the World, I sent him an email to his home in Arizona and asked what it was like growing
Alan Dean Foster brings out a cli-fi anthology Read More »
The World We Share
With G-d At My Side: A Child’s Story of Survival by Menachem Taiblum (with Cyndie Meyer), CreateSpace © 2014; ISBN 978-150-586-2270; 150 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Cantor Menachem Taiblum of Portland, Oregon, recalls his boyhood running from the Nazis in this episodic memoir, which, with the help of writer Cyndie Meyer,
Episodic Holocaust memoir is a page turner Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryBy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan –Jewish writers did not invent science fiction, but they played an important part in its evolution as both editors and foot soldiers. David Brin, one of America’s top sci-fi novelists and the author of “The Postman,”once told me that the Hollywood film “Soylent Green’’ was based on Harry Harrison’s
Cli-fi as an academic discipline Read More »
The World We ShareBy Rabbi Rafi Andrusier LA MESA, California — It has been an incredibly busy week. Passover is finally here! So besides surface reading the words of the haggada tonight, what can we take away from the message of Passover? What is the message the haggada is trying to impart? This past Tuesday, I was at
Another way we can liberate ourselves from bondage Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — I never fail to be impressed by the creativity of our Torah School students and staff. Last Sunday our Torah School students participated in a “Model Seder.” As we began, I explained that this exercise was not in place of home seders, but rather to prepare our students
Children’s projects make the seder more fun Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyEDITORS NOTE: All details of Edwin Black’s Passover coverage are taken faithfully from Exodus, Chapters 5-15, plus Rashi’s Commentary. By Edwin Black WASHINGTON, D.C. — Approximately two million Children of Israel are now encamped in the Sinai following their extraordinary exodus from Egypt yesterday. Just days ago, they were slaves to Pharaoh. Today, they
If news services had written up the Exodus Read More »
Edwin Black, Jewish ReligionBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO─ In an interview he gave during his trip to Israel, John Boehner admitted, “I wouldn’t have believed that I would be involved in as much foreign policy as I am today. And it certainly isn’t by choice. It’s just that the world is on fire.” Apparently Boehner hadn’t spoken to
Humoring the headlines: April 3, 2015 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The eulogy delivered by Rabbi Philip Graubart about Norman Manson, including the fact that the 86-year-old former writer and San Diego Union-Tribune copy editor was being buried on Friday, April 3, the day of Erev Pesach, most likely would have prompted Manson to ask many searching questions. Graubart, spiritual leader of Congregation
Norman Manson, Sept. 11, 1928 – March 31, 2015 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorialsWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Twenty six American citizens have filed a war crimes complaint with the United States Attorney General, asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute senior Hamas officials for their perpetration of war crimes during the past summer’s Gaza War. The Americans allege that Palestinian terrorists intentionally launched rockets at Israel’s Ben-Gurion
War crimes complaint against Hamas filed with DOJ Read More »
Middle East, USA