By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California –When the news came recently from Memphis that Maxine Smith had died—just a few days after my own biological, if enigmatic mother had passed—I understood what the loss of maternal wisdom and joy really does to a son. This Mother’s Day is my bittersweet day of mourning for the […]
A mother’s day of his heart Read More »
USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel–Although I was not in Jerusalem for Jerusalem Day this year, having been called away to fulfill grandparental duties, it was very much in my thoughts. I still have a very clear memory of those six days in June, just 46 years ago, when I was only dimly able to
Israel Museum provides Christian tours for volunteers Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison ESCONDIDO, California — When artists Larry and Debby Kline go out to casual dinners, they can’t help playing with the detritus of restaurant meals — the sugar and saccharine packets, napkins, chopstick wrappers, tooth picks, and other disposable items. While they eat, their eyes are locked in concentration on
San Diego’s ‘Artists of the Year’ and Tikkun Olam Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California– In this affluent coastal community which gained fame in 2003 as the first U.S. mainland city to ban smoking on its public beaches, Steve Blumkin preaches what might be described as environmental tikkun olam. One of his particular interests lies several thousand miles to the south in the rain
Tikkun olam project: Oxygen for the planet Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–At one point in Zombie Prom, students and a certain undead former student are protesting the commandment from Delilah Strict (Meredith Russo), the principal at Enrico Fermi High School, that no Zombies be permitted at the school prom. “Let my people glow!” urged the Zombie’s picket sign. The 1993
Zombie Prom: How far does tolerance go? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — Like all crimes, acts of Islamist terrorism have their MOM (Motivation, Opportunity, Means). They differ in that they are not motivated by greed, profit, vengeance, or mental dysfunction, but by religious fanaticism inculcated in the minds of the perpetrators through years of intense indoctrination that succeeds in making
Obama administration blinds American eyes to jihadism Read More »
USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Netanyahu during Mr. Netanyahu’s visit to China, surely a diplomatic oddity. (Chinese Premier Li Kegiang answers the hotline in Beijing and says, “Oh, sure. Hey, Bibi, it’s for you.”) President Obama called him there as well, making Netanyahu appear to be the
Anti-Israel violence is ongoing warfare, not ‘retaliation’ Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
Defeat of Nazi Germany marked 68 years later (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israel and the global community marked the 68th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II on Thursday with parades, festivals and somber memorial services. Hundreds of people, including war veterans who fought against Germany alongside the Allied troops, marched
JNS news briefs: May 10, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel’s current discussion is providing its lessons in the politics of economics and the economics of politics. Political economy is the name of the game. It is not really a discussion we are having. It’s more like simultanteous complaints, expressed as close to the top of one’s voice as appropriate
Middle Class, Haredim angered by Lapid budget Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –This month’s Midrash Shabbat teacher at Tifereth Israel Synagogue will be Sarah Shulman. A student at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles and a triathlete, Sarah is also my AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Intern. Many people who read the publicity for this weekend were
Rabbinic intern learns Israel advocacy Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California — Moses Maimonides, the 12th century Jewish doctor and philosopher, reportedly instructed his contemporaries that it is so important to give tzedakah (charity), that even a beggar who lives entirely on charity, must himself give it. In An Ordinary Day, which has just opened a run through May
Even in comedy, is suicide prevention an obligation? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
Tzaki and His Holiday Miracles by Avraham Feder, (illustrated by Lisa Cain, edited by Tzipora Ne’eman), (c) 2012, ISBN 978-1-937887-03-2; 48 pages, $14.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — The Middle East is renowned for flying carpets, of course. But have you ever heard of a flying sukkah? A mischievous boy named Tzaki,
Jewish fantasy: A boy and his flying sukkah Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonEditor’s Note: An appreciative shout out to Michael Bennett, who watches this column carefully and sends items on to members of the many “old time” families that he knows. With the Guardians Southwestern Jewish Press, June 28, 1957, Page 5 By Morrie Pomeranz Veteran newspaper vendors could not account for the unprecedented run on the
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, June 28, 1957, Part 3 Read More »
Adventures in SD History, Jewish History
By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — After Grossmont College’s Entrances & Exits, I hooked up with Sidney Franklin for an interview. I met Sidney years ago when he was a spirited and promising teenager and have watched him grow into a fine, polished performer. What follows is the bulk of our conversation –minus my
M.O.T. to-watch: Sidney Franklin Read More »
Eric George Tauber