By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel–I happen to be one of those annoying people who wake up early in the morning full of vim and vigour and ready to tackle anything. Getting up at around six a.m. is no big deal for me and sometimes I wake up even before that and have no […]
An age of paranoia and optimism Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — I have always found this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27), especially inspiring and instructive. It is in this parsha that we are told the story of Abraham’s aliyah, of his journey to the Holy Land. What amazes me, and what readers of the Bible
The aliyot of Abraham and his modern-day followers Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The police had estimated that half a million would participate in the funeral procession of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. When it was over, the police estimate was that 800,000 jammed the streets alongside the yeshiva where the ceremonies began as well as along and near the route of the funeral procession.
Massive crowds turn out for Rabbi Ovadia’s funeral Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — If Will Rogers were alive today, he’d say, “I’m not a citizen of any organized country; I’m an American.” One week ago John Boehner tried to assure Wall Street that he would rely on Democratic votes to raise the debt ceiling. Now he is threatening to link the vote
Humoring the headlines: October 8, 2013 Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — School shootings have tragically become so common that we have to ask: “which school shooting?” The Nickel Mines shooting took place on Oct 2nd, 2006 in a one-room schoolhouse. Several Amish girls were shot and killed. Inside the school, “there was not one desk, not one chair, in
‘The Amish Project’ is one-woman, intellectual tour de force Read More »
Travel and FoodLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) – San Diego’s internationally recognized San Diego Jewish Book Fair celebrates its 19th year with most prominent legal mind and celebrated lawyer in America – Alan Dershowitz– launching the nine-day series on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30pm at the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish
Dershowitz to Bazelon: Wide Variety at SD Jewish Book Fair Read More »
San Diego CountyBy Jeffrey E. Levine NEW YORK — I want to take a moment and introduce myself to all of you as I take on the role as President of Jewish National Fund. Evidently, it was my destiny to become President of Jewish National Fund one day, given that I was born on a street called
New JNF president tells his background Read More »
USATEL AVIV (Press Release)-– Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. The result can be a wide range of debilitating motor, physical, and mental problems. No one knows why people get the disease or how to treat it. In a new study published in the Journal of
Marijuana ingredients may help fight multiple sclerosis Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationNobel Prize in Medicine awarded to two American Jews (JNS.org) Two American Jews, along with their German partner, have been awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Medicine. The three scientists, Yale University professor James E. Rothman, 64, University of California, Berkeley professor Randy W. Schekman, 64, and German-born Stanford University professor Thomas C. Südhof, 57,
JNS news briefs: October 7, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Palestine is not yet a state, except in its own propaganda and the proclamations of enthusiasts. If born, with or without the agreement of Israel, it may be a failed state from the get go. Signs are that it won’t be able to support itself economically, especially if those who choose themselves
Independent Palestine will be a failed state Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Someone might have predicted years ago when Sue Marder was 8 and still younger than her grandchildren are today, that she would become both a writer and a volunteer at an animal shelter. As a child she wrote a poem called “My Pet” and precociously sent it off
Marder’s poems display her humor, doggone it! Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — Gertrude Bell, the most famous British political writer about the Arab World in early 20th century, often wrote that “the Arabs cannot govern themselves.” If only she could see the American government now, one century later, in its splendid paralysis ! The alarming circus-like spectacle in Washington and the
Obama fails to lead domestically and in foreign affairs Read More »
USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfecta in his generations, and Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ־נֹחַ (Gen 6:9 ) in his generation – What is signified by “perfect in his generation”? R. Yochanan said:
Noah & Abraham: A Rabbinical Comparison Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I wonder how to label this column: as concerned with an issue as profound as Iran’s nuclear program or Palestinians’ desire for gaining a state with minimum concessions, or as just another annoyance on our Jewish road through history? What various ancient Greeks and Romans viewed as repulsive and barbaric,
European body votes to challenge circumcision Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion