By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — A.B. Yehoshua, the renowned Israeli novelist, playwright, and thinker, fiercely independent and deeply rooted in the marrow of Jerusalem, wrote an article Monday for the Op-ed page of Ha’aretz. He declared that the time has come for Israel to talk with Hamas—something whispered about by many people on
Novelist Yehoshua says Israel should negotiate with Hamas Read More »
Middle EastSAN DIEGO — The Journal of San Diego History has added San Diego Jewish World publisher Donald H. Harrison to its editorial board, the Journal’s co-editors, Drs. Molly McClain and Iris Engstrand, have announced. Harrison, author of a biography of San Diego pioneer Louis Rose and numerous articles on San Diego Jewish history, “will provide
Harrison named to Journal of San Diego History editorial board Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego CountyJerusalem mayor: No city regulated by the U.S. president (JNS.org) Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat expressed support on Monday for the Israeli government’s plan to build 3,000 additional housing units in the E1 section between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim, Israel Hayom reported. The decision came as a response to the recent upgrade of Palestinian status at
JNS news briefs: December 4, 2012 Read More »
InternationalHarvard students receive club invitations excluding Jews, welcoming ‘coloreds’ (JNS.org) Harvard University students received flyers from a supposed “Harvard’s Newest Final Club” explicitly stating that Jews should not apply but “coloreds” are welcome to do so. The flyer invited students to an introductory club event, listing three virtues: “inclusion,” with the footnote of “Jews need not
JNS news briefs: December 3, 2012 Read More »
International
By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan– There aren’t many delicatessens in Taiwan, and the word “deli” has not yet been translated into Chinese. So when news reached me here the other day that the Stage Deli in Manhattan was closing — after 75 years in business — I paid attention. You see, whenever I get
Deli envy in tasty Taiwan Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks is a classic story of a family that opens with a great celebration of wealth and success and proceeds to its downfall. From what we are hearing from reliable sources, that is the model likely to develop after Mahmoud Abbas’ celebrations for achieving Palestinian statehood from the
As P.A. celebrates ‘statehood,’ its assets dwindle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Carol Davis CHULA VISTA, California—As a romantic, (I readily admit it) I welcome a good love story with a happy ending. Somehow or other though, sitting through Jane Austen’s last novel “Persuasion”, as adapted for the stage by Jon Jory and now in a World Premiere production at OnStage Playhouse, the thought came to
‘Persuasion’ not always persuasive Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, The ArtsBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Scarcely a day after the UN General Assembly voted to name Palestine a state, and Israeli officials said they would not mete out a punishment for their neighbor’s chutzpah, the punishment came. The government approved construction of 3,000 housing units in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and made reference to
What are Israel’s motives in announcing E-1 construction? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Hollywood is a long way from Taiwan, but I like to keep in touch with the place via the Internet, and American movies are on Taiwanese TV movie channels all the time. But recently I came across a movie maven in California who knows more about Hollywood
Jewish tour guide dishes up Hollywood tales Read More »
Travel and Food
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –Twenty-four years ago, almost to the day, in 1988, I stood in a large hall in Algeria and saw Yasir Arafat declare the independence of a Palestinian state. And that was forty-one years, almost to the day, after the UN offered a Palestinian state in 1947. Twelve years ago Israel
The real meaning of Palestine’s ‘statehood’ Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — There is a famous legend about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (135-170 C.E.) who once expressed a disparaging opinion about the Roman Empire and its cultural depravity. Afterwards, the Roman authorities decided to have him arrested for disrespecting the Empire. Rabbi Shimon and his son soon hid
A tale of two caves Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — A biblical story tells of a prophet-for-hire name Balaam. The professional seer was engaged by a regional king, Balak, who was anxious about the approaching Israelite nation that had been freed from Egypt. Balaam was paid a sizable amount of silver and engaged to climb up, observe the
Here’s some observation material for Palestine Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In New York, there was a fascinating news story the other day. On Nov. 29th, 2012, nobody got murdered or mugged in the streets of New York. New York newspapers said this was very unusual. Now, Chicago is an altogether different kind of town. Crime is
Who was Jacob really fighting in his dream? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — When faced with a conflict with someone else, people often do not know how to proceed. Having a method to deal with problems can be helpful. Whether there is a problem at work with an employee or a problem at home with spouse or a child, taking one
Three approaches to solving problems Read More »
Natasha Josefowitz, Travel and Food