Compiled by Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — While he was in Vietnam, U.S. Secretary of State met on Sunday with ABC news reporter Martha Raddatz to discuss a wide range of topics, including the talks he has been brokering between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Far from predicting ultimate peace, Kerry seemed to be
Jewish Citizen: Mideast talks, art recovery, and Iran Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International
By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California -It is rumored that even Tchaikovsky disliked “The Nutcracker Suite” but was commissioned to write it back in 1892. If you’ve seen it every year since its inception, North Coast Rep has a suggestion for a way to shake things up this holiday season. “The Humbug Holiday Spectacular” has
North Coast Rep spoofs Christmas season Read More »
Travel and Food
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO―China has landed a rover on the moon. It immediately opened a restaurant and a bank to extend credit to whatever countries try to settle the moon. Then it started building a factory for Walmart. The shuttle with robot workers manufactured by Apple will arrive next month. * Sixteen year-old Ethan
Humoring the Headlines: December 15, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The response to the weather crisis – yes it was and in many ways still is a crisis – suggests that Israelis are good at improvisation but Israel is deficient in preparation. Though the snow hasn’t melted as of Sunday, Dec. 15, , power hasn’t yet been restored to all households,
New Israeli winter sport: finger-pointing Read More »
Middle East
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — In the new film Saving Mr. Banks Walt Disney devotes 20 years to trying to persuade P.L. Travers to let him make a movie of her classic children’s book Mary Poppins. She finally does, but with the proviso that she work with the writers and have complete control over
‘God’s Gypsy,’ about post-Expulsion Spain, needs editing Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Some of our readers may have noticed our new masthead and wondered what those two ampersands are doing in the background behind the words “San Diego Jewish World.” It’s our way of announcing that we are still the same Jewish-focused paper, but that we plan to also venture
What’s the story behind those ampersands? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International
Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, M.D., The Rabbi and The Nuns, Mekor Press, 2013, ISBN 9781614651338. 190 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– Although the title sounds like the beginning of a joke, this book, in fact, contains numerous recollections of Rabbi Twerski’s career as the head of psychiatry at the Roman Catholic-operated St.
The old, the young, and the alcoholics Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –The forecasts proved correct. A major storm coming out of Russia would bring lots of rain, and snow to the northern mountains,and at least a bit of snow to the Judean Mountains. Read that as Jerusalem. French Hill is the highest point within the city at 810 meters (2,500 feet).
Snow replaces politics as chief news topic Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– Having seen snow in Siberia, Sweden and Canada I was never impressed by what they described as a snowfall in Jerusalem. Though there had been some snow once or twice during the winters we spent here. It’s different this time: they forecast up to half-a-meter of the white stuff. It
Snow lays siege to Jerusalem Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — The whole of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) was in an uproar! A well-known man, a member of the Belzer Chasidic sect, and his wife had just given birth to their first child – a boy – after being childless for twenty-eight years! The sholom zachor (party in honor of baby
The value of rachmanis Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — “I don’t believe in religion, I believe in science,” is an oft-repeated refrain from those who like to argue with rabbis. Their statement presupposes that there is a conflict between the two. They are surprised when I tell them that I believe in both. Religion and science each
God and the Big Bang Read More »
Jewish Religion
Abbas: Palestinians free to take unilateral action if prisoner release delayed (JNS.org) During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday night in Ramallah, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas said the recently pitched U.S. security proposal—which allows for an Israel Defense Forces presence in the Jordan Valley for 10 years following
JNS news briefs: December 13, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Steve Kramer KIBBUTZ KETURA, Israel — Michal and I, together with our friends, recently spent a long weekend on this kibbutz in the Negev Desert. The trip was sponsored by their beit knesset, the Masorti (Conservative) Congregation of Ra’anana. A quote from its website: “The membership of Ra’anana Masorti is a successful mixture of
Exploring a kibbutz that is still Socialist Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — Israel’s capital became a white city on Thursday as heavy snows blanketed the city throughout the day and into the night. Considered a rare snowstorm, over 10 centimeters of snow fell on the city during the day, setting a December record. Jerusalem mayor, Nir Barkat described the snowfall as a
Snow blankets Jerusalem Read More »
Travel and Food