By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Which is the better motivator of performing a mitzvah: desire, obligation, or guilt? The answer to this question formed the subtext of a discussion we had on Wednesday during Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Ritual Committee meeting. Some members said they came to morning minyan because they wanted to. Others said
What would prompt you to do a good deed? Read More »
Travel and FoodU.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes bill giving Congress oversight of Iran deal (JNS.org) The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which would give Congress a 30-day period to review a final nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, in a 98-1 vote. The only senator to vote against
Jewish news briefs: May 8, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
SAN DIEGO–In Yiddish, an ending with ‘le” means “little,” so Melanie Rubin snapped this photo, on the theory that it refers to “little Mindy.” This doesn’t always refer to size, but also is used as a term of friendship or endearment. Isn’t that right, Melaniele?
Jewish- interest license plate: Mindele Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The San Diego International Airport wanted to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week with some excitement and enthusiasm, but, goodness, not with a bang! That’s why costumed characters such as Matilda the Koala from San Diego Zoo and Max from Legoland gently coaxed children who were among arriving
Tourists get an inflated welcome to San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-New York), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the formation of the new Israeli government: “I congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu on his successful formation of a new coalition. I look forward to working with the new Israeli government to advance our
Lowey looks forward to working with Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — Israeli film legend, Aryeh Elias passed away at age 94 on Thursday, May 7. The veteran stage, television and movie actor, who was born in Kurdistan in 1921, was the first Jew to be accepted to the drama faculty in Baghdad’s Academy of Fine Arts in Iraq in 1941.
Aryeh Elias (1921 – 2015) Read More »
Middle East‘Syria will win,’ Assad declares to audience of thousands (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Debunking rumors that he had been murdered by his bodyguards, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gave a public address before an audience of thousands in Damascus on Wednesday, declaring that “Syria will win” the country’s civil war. Speaking at a graduation ceremony in
Jewish news briefs: May 7, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Editor’s Note: In my quest to find Jewish stories wherever I go, I decided there is no place like home to illustrate the concept that “there is a Jewish story everywhere.” Interstate 8 roughly follows the traditional route that settlers took in their covered wagons in the mid-19th century to get to San Diego from
I-8 Jewish travel: Valley View Casino Center Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food
By David Leyva NATIONAL CITY, California– D-A-V-I-D L-E-Y-V-A, that is how I learned to spell my name and last name. What I did not know was where these came from. I am the 7th in a long line of men in my family named David Leyva, a family fact of which I was not entirely aware
Descendant of Sephardic Jews returns home Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – A little-known office in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wildlife Services, is responsible for intervening when an animal becomes a threat or serious nuisance to humans. On many occasions, the animal is ultimately killed. However, the reasons as to why or how is rarely made available to the public.
Rep. Davis challenges animal killings by USDA Read More »
The World We Share, USABy Caren Besner BOYNTON BEACH, Florida–Before the onset of the 5th century AD, Imperial Rome dominated the known world. True, the empire had previously been split in half for administrative purposes, with one Emperor in Rome and another in Constantinople; but to all outward purposes the empire exuded strength and power. Roman legions still stood
As went Rome, so now goes the U.S. Read More »
International, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The birth of the new government of Israel was slow and painful. The result is anything but a strong and healthy baby. Its razor-thin majority (61 out of 120 Knesset seats) is divided among five coalition parties. By all accounts, most of the major protagonists can’t stand each other and
Kahlon remains moderates’ greatest hope Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The Ethiopians have had their few days in the spotlight. Now it’s back to politics. Frustration is the likely theme of Ethiopian activists and politicians.. The argument about the Ethiopians remains between those who accuse Israel of a racist failure, and those who assert that the country took the initiative to
Shakiest of coalitions unlikely to bring much change Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East