ENCINO, California (Press Release) — Rabbi Harold Schulweis, regarded as the most influential synagogue leader of his generation, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at his home after a long struggle with heart disease, his longtime congregation, Valley Beth Shalom, announced. Rabbi Schulweis was 89 years old. Rabbi Uri Herscher, founding president and CEO of the Skirball
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, 89, z”l Read More »
Jewish ReligionSANTA CRUZ, California (Press Release) – Twenty-two groups wrote to nine University of California (UC) Chancellors on Thursday, Dec. 18,, demanding they publicly state their commitment to upholding UC policies which prohibit academic student employees (ASEs) from using their instructional positions to promote a boycott of Israel. The UC Regents Policy on Course Content prohibits ASEs
22 pro- Israel groups seek UC assurances Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
SAN DIEGO — Hmmm, the vagaries of abbreviations. The person who owns this license plate may be a purveyor of fine rings, watches, bracelets and such, or perhaps not interested in jewelry at all. Melanie Rubin, our license plate maven who spotted the plate, says it’s possible the lady is interested in world Jewry. Or
Jewish interest license plate ‘JWRYLDY’ Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Trivia, Humor & Satire
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — A graduate of Yemin Orde Youth Village, in Israel, was honored with lighting a special menorah at the annual White House Hanukkah celebration in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Ataklit Tesfaye, 23, an Ethiopian-Israeli who immigrated to Israel in 2008, recited the Hanukkah prayers alongside President Barack Obama and First Lady
Ethiopian Israeli lights White House menorah Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAIsrael’s Lieberman to boycott Swedish counterpart’s visit over Palestinian state recognition (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is refusing to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem during her upcoming visit to Israel next month, in response to Sweden’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state. In October, Sweden became the first major
JNS News Briefs: December 18, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s impossible to draw many conclusions from opinion polls about the next government of Israel as they’re being published three months before the elections. However, one question put to would-be voters in this week’s Ha’aretz poll seems to be saying something significant. Responding to the question, “Who in your
Polls indicate Israelis doing some soul searching Read More »
Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Although San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria didn’t identify them by religion, the people who inspired him to go into politics were members of the San Diego Jewish community. And the man who made him think about quitting politics in despair also was Jewish. The latter was former
Gloria tells his budget priorities for San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County
NAPA, California (Press Release)–Once again this year, two wines from Napa Valley’s Hagafen Cellars were served at the annual White House Hanukkah party on December 17. Don Ernesto 2012 Collage Marsanne-Rousanne and the Don Ernesto 2013 Clarinet Tempranillo were chosen by the White House wine buyer to accompany lots of latkes and other traditional fare alongside
2 California kosher wines poured at White House Read More »
Travel and FoodSACRAMENTO (Press Release)–State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) issued the following statement about the contemporary meaning of Hanukkah as chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus from Washington, D.C., where he is attending the White House Hanukkah reception on Wednesday, Dec. 17. “Hanukkah, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, takes on new meaning today as
Block: Modern fight against terror recalls Chanukah Read More »
Jewish ReligionTEL AVIV (Press Release) — Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), affects 1% of all women worldwide. In most cases, the exact cause of the condition, which is often associated with infertility, is difficult to determine. A new Tel Aviv University study throws a spotlight on a previously-unidentified cause of POI: a
Gene mutation may cause infertility Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy David Strom SAN DIEGO — A few months before the surrender of Nazi Germany two unlikely associates were sitting and cordially drinking liquor together in Switzerland. One was Nazi General Karl Wolff the right hand to SS chief Heinrich Himmler and the other the top US spy in charge of gathering wartime intelligence on
‘Nazis Next Door’ tell of U.S. coverups Read More »
Jewish History
MIAMI, Florida (Press Release)–Continuing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah Menorah by prominent public officials, presidential hopeful Jeb Bush who announced an exploratory committee on Tuesday, Dec. 17, invited Jason Lyons to light the Menorah on the first night of Chanukah. Lyons chaired the US-Israel Security Alliance Congressional Tribute last month on Capitol Hill. Former Florida
Jeb Bush hosts Chanukah celebration Read More »
Jewish History, USAHAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–Having trouble sleeping? Then you are nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to eventually suffer from back pain, according to a new study conducted by the University of Haifa. “After controlling for a range of variables, including socioeconomic status and lifestyle issues, we came to the conclusion that insomnia is a marker for
Insomnia may be a harbinger of back pain Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — The earliest evidence for the use of olive oil in the country, and possibly the entire Middle East, was revealed at an antiquities site in the Lower Galilee. Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority contend that olive oil was already being used in the country 8,000 years ago in
Olive oil used as early as 8,000 years ago Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education