Parsing Netanyahu’s speech: did he throw down a gauntlet?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to AIPAC speaks for itself. Almost. There is enough there for several interpretations ranging to 180 degrees difference one from the other. http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-speech-at-aipac-full-text/ There is praise for Barack Obama. On the other hand, the speech begins with a Holocaust story, of a small boy (Yossi Peled) […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

The woman who saved the Jews

By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — There are the beloved Five Scrolls in the Hebrew Scripture, including Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, Lamentations and two named for heroic women: Ruth and Esther.   Ruth was the consummate loyalist, paradigmatic convert to Judaism—a maternal ancestor to the Davidic line.  Christians link her spiritually to Jesus. 

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Jewish Religion

Sen. Feinstein endorses Mat Kostrinsky for S. D. City Council

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has endorsed Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7. “I have known Mat Kostrinsky for more than a decade, and relied on his counsel on matters in San Diego.  He’s strong and independent,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “I’m confident Mat will make sure city government is working for

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San Diego Calendar

‘Footnote,’ Israeli film that won Academy Award nomination, tells of father-son rivalry in academia

By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Two men, one in a suit and the other in a sweater, sit side by side in folding chairs in a small auditorium.  They are listening to an unseen speaker introducing a new inductee to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. As the speaker finishes, the man in

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Cynthia Citron, Science, Medicine, & Education

‘Israel must reserve the right to defend itself’ — Netanyahu

  WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, March 5,  made the following remarks at the start of his meeting with US President Barack Obama: “The alliance between our two countries is deeply appreciated by me and by everyone in Israel.  And I think that, as you said, when Americans look around the Middle

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Middle East

City Ballet of San Diego executes all-Balanchine program exquisitely; bravos to Steven Wistrich and company

By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — City Ballet of San Diego presented “Bravo! Balanchine” in the Spreckels Theatre on March 4. A program composed entirely of Balanchine ballets is an obvious challenge.  City Ballet’s ability to meet that challenge is a given; this was a performance of Balanchine worthy of any stage.  Each of the

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Travel and Food

Laws and lore of Purim

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Purim is referred to as Kabbalas haTorah miahavah – acceptance of the Torah out of love. This is the yesod (foundation) of Purim – returning to Hashem (G-d) and fulfilling His Torah with love. The practices of Purim, such as Shalach Manos (Gifts of Food) and Matanos L’evyonim

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Jewish Religion

Shimon Peres: Peace is the first option, but if war comes Israel will prevail

  WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Following is the text of the speech delivered by President Shimon Peres of Israel at the America Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual meeting: As The President of the State of Israel I came here first and foremost to say on behalf of my people:   “Toda”  “Thank You”.   Thank

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Middle East