J. Dylan Yates, The Belief in Angels, She Writes Press, ISBN 9781938314643, 314 pages, $16.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—This is a book bound to prompt mixed feelings among Jewish readers. It’s well written, engrossing, and offers some important insights into how horror, shame and tragedy can be transmitted and mutated through the generations.
Novelist depicts survival in a dysfunctional family Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonNetanyahu plans first official visit to Panama by Israeli prime minister (JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a rare five-day trip to Mexico, Colombia, and Panama on April 6 in an effort to bolster relations with Latin American countries, Israel Hayom reported. Netanyahu will be the first Israeli prime minister to visit Panama.
JNS news briefs: March 20, 2014 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–A “failed state” is one that is unable to function according to western expectations, either to protect and provide decent services to its citizens, or to behave responsibly in international relations. Like most concepts in social science, it is best to think of more or less, rather than if a state is
Three ‘failed states’: Malaysia, Ukraine, Palestine Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Pesach is just around the corner. As we do our Pesach shopping and preparations, here is a nice story to keep in mind: Rabbi Yosef Charif of Slonim was known for his sharpness and insight. Every year as Pesach approached, he received a multitude of queries concerning the
The Wise Rabbi and the Passover Turnabout Read More »
Jewish Religion
NEW YORK (Press Release)– The government of Spain “wants to right an historical wrong” against the Jewish people, declared Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Spain’s Minister of Justice, at an AJC luncheon on Wednesday, March 19. The government initiative would offer Spanish citizenship to Jews who can trace their ancestry to the time of the forced expulsion of Jews
Spain trying to ‘reverse 500 years of injustice’ Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryNEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is deeply concerned and critical of President Barack Obama for praising Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas as “somebody who has consistently renounced violence, has consistently sought a diplomatic and peaceful solution that allows for two states, side by side, in peace and security” (‘Remarks by
ZOA: Obama praise of Abbas wrong, not warranted Read More »
Middle East, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release)– The American Technion Society (ATS) announced on Wednesday, March 19, that Jeffrey Richard, of Riverdale, N.Y., will become the organization’s new Executive Vice President in May, following a nationwide search. Melvyn H. Bloom, who has led the organization for the past three decades, will become Executive Vice President Emeritus. Richard, a fundraising
Jeffrey Richard to lead American Technion Society Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education
NEW YORK (Press Release) — In recognition of her “abiding commitment to promoting and protecting human rights at home and abroad,” the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday, March 19, presented German Chancellor Angela Merkel with its distinguished ADL Joseph Prize for Human Rights. In presenting the prize, ADL cited a number of accomplishments and actions that showed
ADL present Merkel with human rights prize Read More »
International
BERLIN (WJC) — German police have arrested a former Nazi medic who served at the Auschwitz death camp on multiple charges of aiding and abetting murder, prosecutors said on Tuesday. The 93-year-old, who was arrested at his home near Neubrandenburg north of Berlin, underwent a medical checkup before he faced a judge and was then
Germany arrests alleged Auschwitz medic Read More »
International
By Susan L. Rosenbluth The Jewish Voice and Opinion ENGLEWOOD, New Jersey — The options for Orthodox-Jewish students looking for colleges outside the New York metropolitan area are greater than they have ever been before, according to an independent educational consultant. “Many schools with historically low numbers of Jews are actively working to recruit more
Colleges across country offering kosher dining services Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Brad Weinreb SAN DIEGO — Masaryk University School of Law is located in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. I spent two weeks there at the end of last November to teach a seminar course on “The Rights of Crime Victims in the United States.” While the trip afforded experience interacting
Fourth stage of Palestinian terrorist prisoner release may be nixed (JNS.org) Israel may cancel the fourth and final stage of its release of 104 Palestinian terrorist prisoners if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to commit to a yearlong extension of the current peace talks, Israel Hayomreported. The fourth stage of the prisoner release is
JNS news briefs: March 19, 2014 Read More »
International
WASHINGTON, D.C — Three hundred ninety five (395) Members of the House of Representatives wrote President Obama to describe what they believe must be included in any final agreement between the United States and Iran regarding its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. A key section of the letter read: “Because we believe any agreement
395 House members want Iran inspections, verification Read More »
Middle East, USAAmericans for Peace Now has released a video poking fun at right-wing Israelis. Narrated in Hebrew, with English subtitles, it’s theme is that it is fun (and not completely unprofitable) to be a right winger in Israel today.
APN video satirizes the Israeli right Read More »
Middle East