Story and photos by Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–A German school principal and teacher bearing gifts from their K-4 students in the elementary school of the small town of Neuhaus-an-der-Oste in the far north of Germany helped on Monday, Oct. 22, to formally inaugurate a sister-school relationship at Cabrillo Elementary School that is based,
By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Having lived in Alaska for 10 years in the 1980s, I often browse the online newspapers in Juneau and Fairbanks from my electronic lair here in Taiwan, and the other day I came across an arresting term I had never heard of before — “botanicaust.” The newly-minted
Sci fi writer warns of ‘botanicaust’ Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Robert Gluck/JNS.org If anyone can escape from the afterlife, it is Harry Houdini. Born Erik Weisz to Austro-Hungarian Jews, Houdini was arguably the greatest escape artist ever. Magic enthusiasts from around the globe gather annually in a predetermined city to celebrate Houdini. Since Houdini died on October 31, 1926, the gathering takes place on
Houdini fans plan seance in Fort Worth Read More »
Travel and Food
By Bruce S. Ticker LOS ANGELES — Poor Jewish Angelenos. California’s new “top-two” primary must be an anti-Semitic plot. Uncle Leo of “Seinfeld” would conclude nothing less, especially since an Austrian-born governor signed off on it. Recall that Uncle Leo once accused a cook of anti-Semitism for overcooking a hamburger. The state’s first “top-two” primary should
Open primaries disserve Los Angeles Read More »
USABy Robert Gluck/JNS.org More than 25 years after it was first published, the graphic novel Maus continues to revolutionize both comics and representations of the Holocaust—and its Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Art Spiegelman, remains on tour. By depicting “complex and complicated stories of intertwining human destinies acted out by mice, cats, pigs and dogs,” Maus turns
‘Maus’ author on tour of America Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Jacob Kamaras and Sean Savage/JNS.org “There are, I think, almost 3,000 Americans in foreign jails. Almost all of them are in there for doing something.” That is the assessment given to JNS.org by U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-NY), a leading advocate for the freedom of 53-year-old Brooklyn flooring contractor Jacob Ostreicher—who, according to
U.S. Jews jailed, held hostage overseas Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, USAEmir of Qatar to visit Gaza, raising geopolitical concerns (JNS.org) The emir of pro-Western Qatar is set to become the first head of state to visit Gaza Strip, raising serious geopolitical concerns over the future direction of the Hamas-dominated Palestinian enclave. According to Israel Hayom, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is officially visiting the Palestinian
JNS news briefs: October 22, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The rawness of democratic politics does not appear in the most thrilling run-up to the final voting, but in the maneuvering at the early stages. Americans see it in presidential primaries, and even lower on the political food chain in jostling for nominations for governor, senator, House of Representatives, and even lower
Israel’s feisty political brew Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– There’s a new resource in town for anyone interested in the Jewish experience in San Diego: A Time to Remember: The First 150 Years, a beautifully printed, hard-cover book detailing the experiences thus far of Congregation Beth Israel and its historic forerunner, Congregation Adath Jeshurun. The book was
Beth Israel book a valuable resource to historians Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonSAN DIEGO — This is the fourth and final installment in a series of question-and-answer matchups between congressional candidates in San Diego County. The interviews were conducted by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. In this installment, the JCRC questions Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis and her Republican opponent
53rd Congressional District–Q&A with the JCRC Read More »
USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –A Facebook message that appeared on my computer screen caused me so much shock and dismay that I committed a mortal Facebook sin: I told the person who had put the message up what I thought of him by using insulting language. I regret that reaction. I regret my
In defense of ‘Haaretz’ and ethical behavior Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two items provoke this column. They come from points far apart, and do not have any obvious connection, but they both link up with larger issues provoking angst among Americans, Israelis, and some others. One is the latest pronouncement by Catherine Ashton. She is well known as not the sharpest
Election a dilemma for pro-Israel Jewish liberals Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — The other night at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, I had the opportunity to moderate a debate between two presidential surrogates. Mat Kostrinsky, who lost a close race to be a San Diego city councilman from the 7th district, spoke in behalf of President Barack Obama. Arie Lipnick, regional
Moderating two presidential surrogates Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USAEditor’s Note: This is the third in a series of question-and-answer sessions conducted by the Jewish Community Relations Council with candidates for Congress. In this installment, the JCRC questions Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray of the 52nd CD and his Democratic challenger, Scott Peters, a port commissioner and former San Diego city councilman: * Brian Bilbray,
52nd Congressional District — Q & A with JCRC Read More »
USA