SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The premise behind a February 11 “Striking A Chord” Benefit Concert was conceived by local Carmel Valley Middle School student, 12-year old Megan Spector, whose Aunt Marjie Block was diagnosed with ALS about three years ago. Currently there is no cure, and the life expectancy of ALS patients is tragically short, 2-5 […]
San Diego family organizes concert to fight ALS Read More »
San Diego CountyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There is news about another chapter in the Crusade of Western democracies against what they refuse to label as a problem of Islam. The French have taken on the task of attacking–from the air and with ground troops–a northern Mali “army” of assorted Islamic groups that have threatened to overtake
‘Politically correct’ West turns eyes from Islam’s excesses Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Much of the Palestinian-Israeli Oslo “peace process” mythology is grounded in the idea that if “the Palestinians” were treated as a single, responsible partner, they would behave like one. If “the Palestinians” got enough foreign aid, they would spend it to alleviate the poverty of their people. If “the
Hamas sentences a Fatah bombmaker Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenTEL AVIV (Press Release) — Parkinson’s experts across the world have been reporting a remarkable phenomenon — many patients treated with drugs to increase the activity of dopamine in the brain as a therapy for motor symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity are developing new creative talents, including painting, sculpting, writing, and more. Prof.
Researcher finds link between dopamine and creativity Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationPalestinian exodus from Syria feared (JNS.org) The recent fighting in Damascus has led to fears of a mass Palestinian exodus from Syria to neighboring Lebanon and Jordan, generating concern amongst officials in those countries. Palestinian officials say more than 90 percent of the 180,000 Palestinians they call refugees in the Yarmouk camp near Damascus have
JNS news briefs: January 14, 2013 Read More »
International
Aliza Auerbach, Survivors, Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem (c) 2012, ISBN 978-965-229-586-6, 208 pages, cover price not listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — This coffee-table book was a bit formulaic for my taste, but it does make in photographs the Talmudic point that to save one life is as if to save the world.
Photo book shows Survivor families – 2 and 3 generations later Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a question I received from one my students in our synagogue Introduction to Judaism class. There seems to be a tension between the Jewish mitzvah (commandment) concerning marriage (and subsequently being fruitful), and the concept of love (specifically romantic love, as defined in terms
What does Judaism have to say about love and marriage? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — One of the most interesting young thinkers in Israel today is Dr Micha Goodman. His books (in Hebrew) on Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed and, recently, on Yehuda Halevi’s Kuzari – the two most important Jewish philosophic works of the Middle Ages, perhaps of all time – are still
Universalist or particularist? That’s the debate in Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel’s election is a bit more than a week away. Some pundits are sure it will produce more of the same, while others are either pleased or fearful about changes they anticipate. Most certain is that Netanyahu will continue as Prime Minister, and most likely with his core of support being
As election nears, likelihood of change recedes Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — A recital by world-famous pianist, Stephen Kovacevich (formerly Bishop) was an event not to be missed, especially since the programme contained Schubert’s divine posthumous Sonata, Deutsch no. 960. So we bought our tickets and eagerly awaited the appointed date. The evening’s programme was set to start with Beethoven’s Bagatelles, opus
Concert pianist needed to warm up — literally Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-VansonFARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan –As Humanistic Jews, our hearts are broken as we grapple with the loss of 26 lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. For more than a decade, we have been witness to mass shootings with no relief. Across the United States, in schools, theaters, and malls, from Virginia Tech, to
Humanistic Jews to boycott retailers selling assault weapons Read More »
USABy Cynthia Citron SANTA MONICA –You may think that all this rain we’re having is caused by a drop in barometric pressure. But are you aware that Tanna Frederick, Robert Standley and their director Jack Heller are in heavy-duty rehearsals for N. Richard Nash’s play The Rainmaker, which opens this week at the Edgemar Center
‘Rainmaker’ pours on the emotions Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO– In my Community Jewish High senior class we are studying about Israel. We just read and analyzed Israel’s Declaration of Independence which was proclaimed and signed in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948. The founding fathers and mothers of Israel were greatly concerned with “normalizing” the Jewish People. Instead
Relationship evolves between Israel and Diaspora Read More »
Jewish ReligionPhilanthropist Steinhardt to auction huge Jewish history and art collection (JNS.org) Sotheby’s auction house in New York City plans to sell an enormous art and culture collection assembled by Jewish philanthropist and former Wall Street money manager Michael Steinhardt. Five hundred pieces, including textiles, manuscripts and paintings, will be put on sale in April and
JNS news briefs: January 11, 2013 Read More »
International