By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — As Pesach approaches, we need to clean the chametz out of our lives. There is some leftover Hamantaschen business in my life that I need to dispose of. Right before Purim I wrote an article about Hamantaschen. I explained the origins of the triangular cookie, but said I […]
The origin of baking ‘Haman’s ears’ Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — A newlywed couple in Jerusalem was spending their first Passover Seder at her parents. The girl was from a very prominent religious family. The boy was a budding Torah scholar. Both came from families of sterling character and reputation. During the meal, the young man noticed something floating
The Passover case of the stray wheat grain Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– After a traumatic crisis in a group, it’s not unusual to send in counselors to help the survivors heal. The new government of Israel will need a strong team of such experts, for it’s difficult to imagine how the prime minister will conduct business in the presence of the Terrible Two
Counseling needed for many Israeli politicians? Read More »
Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release) — On the evening of Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 Associated Students of UCSD passed a symbolic resolution urging the UC regents to divest from an expansive list of American companies who do business with Israel. The student organizations at UCSD representing the Jewish and Israeli communities strongly condemn the passing of
UCSD’s Pro-Israel community reacts to divestment resolution Read More »
Travel and FoodBy James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. — Next week, President Obama will make his first visit to Israel as president. The bonds that exist between Jerusalem and Washington are built upon mutual strategic interests and a solid foundation of shared cultural and political values. At the same time, both countries face common threats where cooperation and
Hoped-for outcomes from Obama’s Israel trip Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL) led a bipartisan effort to aid Israel in improving and enhancing its missile defense system. A bipartisan coalition of 63 members of Congress introduced the Iron Dome Act of 2013 to authorize the President to provide assistance for the procurement, maintenance,
Davis introduces Iron Dome continuing authorization act Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–With great anticipation, I was intrigued who the next Pope was going to be. Then the news came on the airwaves: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was chosen the next Pope; and he has chosen the name, “Francis I,” after the St. Francis of Assisi because he
The new Pope is a mentsch Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — There seems to be little excitement about Israel’s next government to be sworn in next week after protracted and convoluted coalition negotiations. Though the smoke from its chimney isn’t very white, there’s relief that we won’t have to go to elections again. The public is said to be tired
Settlers in, religious parties out in new government Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is not for nice people. Sure, there are required smiles, and even hugs for those current with the fashions. Hand shakes and back slaps have been around for a long time. But the demonstrations of warmth are not likely to be genuine. The work is too hard, and most
Politics is a nasty business Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastCoalition deal to form next Israeli government reached after 39 days of negotiation (JNS.org) At the culmination of a long, complex and nerve-wracking negotiation—lasting a whopping 39 days—the coalition agreements that will finalize the next Israeli government have come to fruition, Israel Hayom reported. “We did our best with 31 Knesset seats; we are still
JNS news briefs: March 14, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Training Syrian rebels to conquer the Golan Heights and shoot down Israeli aircraft? No, they don’t say it quite like that. But after years of hypocrisy, the Obama administration has admitted that while it declined to arm Syrian rebels directly for fear that weapons would end up in the
Is U.S. aiding Syrian rebel plans to fight Israel? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Donald H. Harrison CARLSBAD, California — It’s a cynical way to look at it, but perhaps parents of preschoolers and elementary school students will consider the recent economic slowdown as a blessing in disguise. When microbiologist Rudy Gonzalez was laid off from the biotech industry last year, he became a house husband. Taking
Slow economy, kids’ creativity formula for business Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel– On our recent visit to Malta we were given special permission to examine the enormous painting by Caravaggio, ‘The Beheading of John the Baptist,’ that hangs in the massive co-cathedral (double cathedral) of Valletta, which is run by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. After the cathedral was
John the Baptist, Crusaders, Jerusalem invoked in Malta Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson GIVAT CHAYIM IHUD, Israel — The Theresienstadt Memorial Museum is situated in Israel’s verdant Jezreel Valley, in premises attached to this kibbutz. Once or twice a year I receive the museum newsletter, continuing the subscription taken out by my late father. For many years it appeared in stencil form on plain
Theresienstadt memory kept alive on Israeli kibbutz Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East