By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel ENCINITAS, California — Naomi Ragen is an unusual Ba’alat Teshuva (returnee to Orthodox Judaism). One might think that Orthodox Jewish women are quiescent and tend to their homes. Ragen is different. She is multifaceted leader and bestselling author. In Israel, Ragen has been one of the most important Orthodox feminists in […]
Naomi Ragen: An unusual Ba’alat Teshuva. Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO―Embarrassed over leaks that the NSA monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cell phone, President Obama called her on a secure line to apologize. The next day he received a briefing from the NSA citing his conversation with Merkel verbatim and reminding him, “Espionage means you never have to say you’re sorry.”
Humoring the headlines: October 30, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireThe Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery by Captain Witold Pilecki, Translated from the original 1945 report by Jarek Garliński, Aquila Polonica (U.S.) Ltd., Los Angeles; ISBN 978-1-60772-009-6 ©2012, $34.95, p. 401, including pictures, maps, appendices, index, and discussion questions By Fred Reiss WINCHESTER, California — On September 10, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck fired six shells
The Pole who volunteered to be imprisoned at Auschwitz Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish HistoryAfter Palestinian prisoner release, Netanyahu approves new Jewish construction (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) In the wake of the release of 26 Palestinian terrorist prisoners, Israel on Tuesday approved the construction of 1,500 housing units in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and green-lighted the planning of 2,000 additional housing units in the area. According to senior political
JNS news briefs: October 30, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Stephen Kramer In Part 1, our trip north to Galilee with friends, enjoying a wonderful hike through a stream near Lake Kinneret. Our destination was Safed (Zefat), one of Judaism’s four holy cities. Bet Hameiri (Hameiri House), a fascinating recreation of local history, concentrating on Safed during the 19-20th centuries. Entered via one of
Sightseeing in the Galilee, Part II Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
Peri Berger, Broken Mirrors, Menucha Publishers, 2013, ISBN 978-1-61456-086-7, 270 pages, cover price unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–From the very beginning of this novel, its denouement is telegraphed. Students at a Jewish school express confusion and consternation when they meet Judy Rangler, their new secular studies teacher. She doesn’t wear a sheitel, but
Novel extols Shabbat and Jewish tradition Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel attracts and repels. While some see it as the incarnation of their greatest aspirations, some of those are frustrated and even angered by its failures. Others begin with the most severe accusations. They include anti-Semites who see the Jewish state as the Protocols live. Many come with high hopes
The curse and blessing of being the Jewish nation Read More »
Middle EastThe Kosher Sutras: The Jewish Way in Yoga and Meditation by Marcus J. Freed, Freedthinker Books, 2013, pgs 210, ISBN 1624075886 By Eva Trieger What is the outcome when East meets West? Can two seemingly diverse philosophies blend to give rise to a new paradigm that culls the best from both? According to Yoga teacher,
Combining Hatha Yoga and the weekly parasha Read More »
Travel and FoodAustralian anti-Semitic attack victims thank public for support (JNS.org) Members of a Jewish family attacked in an anti-Semitic assault at a popular beach town near Sydney, Australia Saturday have issued a statement of thanks. “We thank G-d that we are alive….we are concerned about the need for the education of future generations about the importance
JNS news briefs: October 28, 2013 Read More »
International
Julie Weinberg, I Wish There Were Baby Factories, BookLocker.com, 2013, ISBN 9781626464124, 210 pages, cover price unlisted By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Somehow smiling through her tears, Julie Weinberg tells “a story inspired by real life events” about a couple whose efforts to have a baby–including fertility and adoption–were beset with dramatic disappointments,
Coming a long way to have a baby Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonGENEVA (Press Release)– UN Watch on Sunday issued the following statement on Israel’s decision to return to the UN Human Rights Council — a 47-nation body that in two weeks will welcome back China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia as members — in time for a scheduled review of the Jewish state’s record this Tuesday. ISRAEL-ONLY AGENDA “Now
Despite bashing, Israel to return to UN Human Rights Council Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) — American Jews are generally pessimistic about current political developments across the Middle East, notably the “Arab Spring,” Iran’s nuclear program and Arab intentions regarding Israel. The skepticism is reflected in the just-completed AJC 2013 Survey of American Jewish Opinion. Full survey is available at www.ajc.org. The AJC survey, conducted annually,
U.S. Jews favor Clinton, Christie as presidential nominees Read More »
USABy Aryeh Savir For the first time ever in Israel, more than 200 of the rarest and most important Biblical manuscripts and texts are on display in Israel in an historic exhibition, titled “The Book of Books,” at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem. On display are the original fragments from the Septuagint, the earliest
Earliest Bibles now in traveling display Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There is a worrisome paragraph in a New York Times article, which is otherwise encouraging in indicating that the Obama administration is learning its limits in the Middle East: “But other goals appear to have been dictated as much as by personnel as by policy. After vigorous debate, the group
Middle East talks give Kerry something to do Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East