By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO–There are entire libraries containing books written as commentaries on the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). Many are difficult for the lay reader to access. Some are densely written in very small font, heavily notated and footnoted. Layout can be problematic; Bible verse and relevant commentary intersecting […]
Shall we judge a book by its author? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Iran does indeed constitute a major threat to the existence of Israel. Both the pronouncements of many of its leaders and the actions of its stooges Hezbollah and Hamas point to it. It’s, therefore, not surprising that Prime Minister Netanyahu should want to alert the world to that danger
Netanyahu playing into Iran’s nuclear hands Read More »
Middle East, USA
Son of a Son by Marilyn Amster Gould; New Alliance Publishing; © 2014; ISBN 978-1-939858-84-2; 482 pages including Yiddish glossary By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This historical novel, in which we meet four generations of the Bruchner family, takes us from the pogroms of Eastern Europe to the steerage compartment of an immigrant
Novel follows American Jewish family over a century Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Rafi Andrusier LA MESA, California — What is religion all about? We always hear of the fellow who found G-d while incarcerated. Was G-d “not found” while in the free world? (Had the inmate found G-d earlier, he may not be sitting in prison in the first place.) So is that truly the case;
Are God and religion crutches? Read More »
Jewish ReligionWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.c. on Thursday, Feb. 5. Some of his comments s THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, good morning. Giving all praise and honor to God. It is wonderful to be back with you here. I want to thank our co-chairs, Bob and
What Obama said at the National Prayer Breakfast Read More »
Travel and FoodNEW YORK (Press Release)– The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Friday, Feb. 6, expressed its outrage to Allseas USA, the U.S. affiliate of the Dutch company, Allseas Group SA, which named its newest ship after a convicted Nazi war criminal and SS member, the father of the company’s owner. ADL urged the maritime construction service company to rename
ADL protests ship named for Nazi war criminal Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 5, in which the last letters were written in a Torah scroll in memory of those who were murdered in last month’s terrorist attack at the Hyper Casher market in Paris. This was the first of four Torah scrolls, two
Netanyahu fills in Torah letter for Paris victims Read More »
International, Middle East
LA MESA, California (Press Release) — The oil paintings of Israeli artist Aaron Zigel will be featured through March 15 at the O’Dunn Fine Art at 8325 La Mesa Bouleverd in La Mesa Village, an international first for the gallery. Zigel, who lives and paints in Raanana, Israel, is represented by several galleries
Israeli artist Zigel featured at O’Dunn Fine Art Read More »
Travel and Food
NEW YORK (Press Release) — An American Jewish Committee (AJC) leadership delegation just concluded a two-day visit to Nicosia. The trip’s highlights included a private luncheon at the Presidential Palace hosted by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and the First Lady, and attended by the Minister of Defense and other top officials. In addition, the group met
AJC fosters Cyprus, Greece, U.S., Israel ties Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan –Yiddish travels far and wide. Just ask Chloe Kogan. She makes humorously-illustrated greeting cards with Yiddish proverbs inside, such as “A Fool Falls On His Back And Bruises His Nose” and “Better An Egg Today Than An Ox Tomorrow.” And this card I love, too: “Dress Up A Broom And
Yiddish greetings appear on cards, in email Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two separate issues are competing for media attention. Our most senior cops, except, hopefully, the Chief of Police and maybe a few others, are having trouble keeping their pants zipped. About half of the most senior officers (Deputy Chief and Heads of Major Departments and Regional Commands) have resigned, been
News priority: sex scandals or U.S. – Israel discord? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
SAN DIEGO– With Purim coming up March 4-5, our license plate Melanie Rubin couldn’t help but notice this plate, which reminded her of Vashti in the Book of Esther, who some credit as being among the first women’s liberation advocates for refusing to dance in front of King Ahashuerus and his guests.
Jewish interest license plates: Vashtee Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Trivia, Humor & Satire