Syria, Iran, Russia condemn Israel over Damascus airstrikes (JNS.org) The Syrian government accused Israel of a “flagrant attack” in which the Jewish state allegedly bombed military targets in Damascus in airstrikes on Sunday. Reports indicate that the two targeted sites were weapons warehouses, one near the city’s international airport and another close to the Lebanese […]
JNS news briefs: December 8, 2014 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–At every General Election in Israel, especially in recent decades, the public has been looking for a Messiah (a term used by at least one commentator on Israeli politics) who would put right all the things that the previous government did wrong. People needed to express their disappointment with what came
Waiting for the political messiah Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In my opinion, the brilliant 20th century Eric Fromm ranks as one of the greatest psychologists and social prophets of the century. I would also add that Fromm must rank as one of the least appreciated Jewish philosophers of his time as well. One of
Cultures of life and death Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USABy Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO — Giving tzedaka is part of our culture. It’s also part of the American way – since Congress encourages charitable giving by providing tax deductions. By taking advantage of these tax breaks, you can get more bang for your charitable bucks. In this column, I’ll cover three ways of giving
It’s better to give AND receive Read More »
Sheryl RowlingWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday, Dec. 7, gave a speech at the Saban Forum hosted by the Brookings Institute. He discussed U.S. relations with various countries of the Middle East, including Israel. Following is a transcript of his remarks: It’s really a pleasure for me to be here. And
Kerry: Mideast pits problem solvers, haters Read More »
Middle East, USABy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Thank goodness for an author like Joel L. Kraemer! His book Maimonides, the Life and World of one of Civilization’s Greatest Minds,” (Doubleday Publishers, 2008) is not the heavy dense tome one would normally expect when delving into the life and work of this towering legend of a man.
From the Jewish library: ‘Maimonides…’ Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Something has happened to Israeli politics since the late 1990’s. There has been a drop in the weight of the largest parties, as well as a decline in voter turnout. From the election of 1996 onward, the largest party in each election has received an average of 31 percent of the votes.
Israel’s ruling coalitions coming apart sooner Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan –I’ve lived in a few countries overseas in my life, and one of the places that has made a big impression on me was Italy. Several things happened there that I remember to this day, even though they happened over 40 years ago. And with Christmas Day just around
A sad story of a mentally disturbed vandal Read More »
Travel and FoodNEW YORK (Press Release) — Statement by Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations: “The reports of Jonathan Pollard’s hospitalization, following his loss of consciousness underscores the need for immediate action for his release. It is regrettable and inexplicable that the Parole Board denied
Pollard illness triggers new calls for his release Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release) – The American Jewish Committee(AJC) described as a “milestone” an agreement between the U.S. and France that will provide compensation to Holocaust survivors who were deported from France by SNCF, the French national railway, and live in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. “The U.S. and French governments have admirably found a
France agrees to compensate Holocaust deportees Read More »
International, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — I wasn’t searching specifically for this story, and I did not know the reporter’s byline until recently, but while surfing the internet last week for some news about France, I stumbled, happily, upon Cindy Mindell’s nice touch-your-heart story about the power of “thank you” and the redemption of
Jewish ‘thank you’ story resonates across time Read More »
International, Jewish History, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha Jacob wrestles with a Divine Being. Before releasing him, Jacob demands that the Being bless him. The Divine Being declares: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human and have prevailed.” (Gen. 32:29) Theories
Eye witnesses may disagree without lying Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAJonathan Pollard hospitalized after losing consciousness (JNS.org) Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. citizen convicted of spying for Israel in 1985, was hospitalized on Friday after losing consciousness, according to a family spokesperson. “Unfortunately we do not have any further information, but we are hoping and praying since he has been hospitalized in the past in very
JNS news briefs: December 5, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In the midst of the noise from various politicians blaming one another for not solving the country’s problems, a 16 year old Palestinian entered a supermarket that serves Jews and Palestinians, with Jewish and Palestinian employees in a West Bank settlement, apparently took a knife from a display in the
Status of minorities in U.S., Israel compared Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA