By Anav Silverman A series of photos documenting the observance of Sukkot in Ghetto Lodz in 1941 were recently revealed by the Shem Olam Institute, also known as the Faith and the Holocaust Institute for Education Documentation and Research in Kfar Haroeh. The photos show the ghetto’s Jewish occupants praying with the four species; the
Sukkot in the Lodz ghetto 1941 Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The Wise Men of Chelm have an iconic and legendary status in the history of Jewish storytelling. According to traditions to have emerged from Eastern Poland, the town of Chelm had a dubious reputation for being incredibly foolish. Whenever the townspeople were confronted with any kind
Chelmites in Washington D.C.? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Eileen Wingard In a special ceremony at the Henry Crown Hall of the Jerusalem Theatre in Jerusalem, Yoav Talmi, Music Director of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, former conductor of the San Diego Symphony, and one of Israel’s most gifted composers, was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Composers last week. This honor, whose
Yoav Talmi awarded Prime Minister’s prize Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Sheryl Rowling Dear Money Maven: My husband and I were married in California in 2008 before Proposition 8 passed. Now that DOMA has been repealed, how do we file our tax returns? This is so confusing! Sincerely, Steven Dear Steven, I agree that the tax laws for same sex couples have been and are
Some Clarity for Same Sex Couples Read More »
Sheryl Rowling, Travel and FoodBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — As the Republican Party tries to broaden its appeal, it has developed more factions: The Defundamentalists: Republicans who oppose any bill that does not defund Obama Care. The limmigrationists: Republicans who oppose any bill that creates a pathway to citizenship. Deficit Attentionists: Republicans who oppose any bill that raises
Humoring the headlines: September 19, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–SThere has been a flurry of items coming to my in-box describing the latest under the heading of anti-Semitism. It is, alas, a very long story, going back at least to the beginning of the Common Era. For those who aren’t familiar with Jewish ways of recording the dates of the goyim,
The politics of anti-Semitism Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastTEL AVIV (Press Release) — In China this week, Tel Aviv University President Prof. Joseph Klafter signed agreements with two leading Asian universities to further academic collaboration in the areas of scientific and technological research and contemporary Israel studies. Both Chinese universities rank among the top five colleges and universities in the nation. In a
Tel Aviv University inks agreement with 2 Chinese universities Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationTemple Mount violence continues as Arab stone throwers attack Israeli police (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli police were attacked Wednesday morning during a patrol of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The latest attack at the holy site follows the arrest of about 30 Arabs over Rosh Hashanah weekend for riots that broke out in and
JNS news briefs: September 18, 2013 Read More »
InternationalTEL AVIV (Press Release) — A good night’s sleep is important to our children’s development. But with the first day of school just passed, many children are at increased risk for sleep breathing disorders that can impair their mental and physical development and hurt their academic performance. A study conducted in North America in 2011
Children’s sleep disorders may worsen in winter Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The Chinese say, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Recently we began our spiritual journey with a celebration of Yom Kippur—a holiday that is wholly devoted to the cultivation of forgiveness and spiritual renewal—both as individuals and as a community. “I
Post Yom Kippur question: What are limits of forgiveness? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Sheli Grumet SAN DIEGO — On Aug 28 2013, a map of the Middle East was handed out to an Arabic Class at San Diego State University. The class is taught by Professor Ghassan Zakaria, a respected professor at San Diego State. The map did not show the state of Israel, but instead, labeled
Pro-Israel SDSU students turned to Stand With Us Read More »
Travel and FoodSAN DIEGO (Press Release) — The Jewish Federation of San Diego County (Federation) has launched the Colorado Flood Relief Fund to help organizations and individuals impacted by the devastating floods in Boulder County and Northern Colorado. One-hundred percent of all donations to the Colorado Flood Relief Fund will go directly to those affected, both Jewish
Jewish Federation sets up Colorado flood fund Read More »
USAPossible Iran nuclear program concession draws skepticism from Israeli officials (JNS.org) Israeli officials reacted with skepticism to a report by the German newspaper Der Spiegel that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is considering dismantling the deep underground nuclear site of Fordo. Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin said Rouhani “is the father of the method of talking
Jewish news briefs: September 17, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — From an Israeli perspective, it won’t be possible to judge the Obama-Putin (or the Putin-Obama) deal on Syria until we see what happens with Iran’s nuclear program. (A pessimistic view is that we won’t be able to judge until we see how Israel and Iran deal with each other’s nuclear
Two views of Obama among Israelis Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East