By Cynthia Citron BEVERLY HILLS, California — A tall man in a tightly-buttoned suit and a bowler hat, carrying a large black umbrella, stands on a ledge on the seventh floor of an apartment building. Behind him are seven arched windows from which a collection of weirdos pop from time to time like the […]
‘7 Stories deals with insane and the inane Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — Whenever I think of people I knew who dressed impeccably, I recall three of my favorite people. One was my maternal grandfather, a businessman who was firmly dedicated to religious observance, but who chose his clothing carefully and was proud of his collection of cufflinks, tie clips, and
Clothes make the man… and the woman Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Alan Muskovitz DETROIT –This week I delve into recent news stories that fall into the “you can’t make this stuff up” category. First, medical news out of London, where a man who lost his nose to skin cancer is having a new one grown in his arm using stem cells. Explaining the procedure is
‘You can’t make this stuff up…’ Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The Arab village of Beit Safafa is more than 400 years old. Over time it has grown from a few hundred residents as late as a century ago to 12,000 today, according to the locals. Nevertheless, it has tried to retain something of its old character and still elects
Highway would divide Israeli Arab village Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’ve had a few days rest from coalition negotiations. Media and political personalities have been busy with Prisoner X, i.e., Ben Zygier. For all that has cost Israel in embarrassment (due to a prisoner who committed suicide while he was supposed to be under 24-hour supervision two years
Israel’s political infighting and coalition building Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — It’s one thing to visit in a synagogue and talk with God about life and death, fate and fortune, mortality and miracles, cruelty and compassion. It’s another thing to share this conversation with a sweet old man who has experienced all of these things and could easily debate
Lou Dunst, a victim turned philanthropist Read More »
Jewish ReligionJewish groups ask for further review of Hagel before confirmation vote (JNS.org) Jewish groups are seconding the call of Senate Republicans for further review of defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel before a vote is held on his confirmation. A 58-40 Senate vote on Feb. 14 delayed a final yes or no vote on the former
JNS news briefs: February 18, 2013 Read More »
InternationalMy Mother’s Wars by Lillian Faderman, Beacon Press, 2013, ISBN 978-0-8070-50952-1; 243 pages, $25.95 By Donald H. Harrison This book is a cross between history and fiction; in it Lillian Faderman, well known for her writings on gay and lesbian subjects, examines the heterosexual life of her own single mother up to the time the
Warring with your heart and your conscience Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonAnnie’s Ghosts, by Steve Luxenberg, Hyperion Bks, 2009, New York, 401pgs. By David Strom SAN DIEGO — In April of 1995, Steve Luxenberg was shocked. His older sister Sashie telephoned and said, “You’re never going to believe this. Did you know that Mom had a sister?” For forty-three years of Steve’s life his mother, Beth,
Probing the family ‘attic’ for mental illness Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — If you have just been hired to replace someone who seemed to have had no faults and was well-liked and respected in the company, it may look like an impossible act to follow. But there are strategies for handling succession issues. You do have a challenge ahead of
Taking the place of a well-loved manager Read More »
Natasha Josefowitz, Travel and FoodI’ve been working with Cheryl and Beverly to thoroughly revise my web site. If you haven’t browsed davidbrin.com in a while, have a look! It’s now fleshed out and filled with even more fabulousness! As part of this, we’ve thrown together a FAQ of sorts — a compilation of questions that I’m asked most often
Tips on writing from author David Brin Read More »
Travel and FoodBy David P. Goldman The possibility of state failure in Egypt is now widely discussed in the foreign policy community. Largely ignored by major media for most of the past two years, Egypt’s economic crisis now commands the attention of foreign policy analysts. I have argued that the structural deficiencies of Egypt’s economy are so
How should the United States respond to state failure in Egypt? Read More »
Middle EastBy Roz Rothstein and Roberta Seid LOS ANGELES — Dror Moreh’s documentary, The Gatekeepers, could have been a profound film. Instead, Moreh uses his interviews with six former directors of Israel’s top security services to send a simplistic and deeply partisan political message: If Israel withdraws from the West Bank, terrorism will subside and peace
‘The Gatekeepers’ an intellectually dishonest film Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — The Chafetz Chaim was one of the greatest Jewish ethicists and moralists of all time. He took his name from the verse from the book of Psalms, chapter 34: “Who is the man who is eager for life; who desires years of good fortune? Guard your tongue from
The privilege of sustaining a holy community Read More »
Jewish Religion