By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — It’s hard not to choke back tears while watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. I catch my breath short at even the smallest military or naval funeral I perform—particularly when a twenty-something boy or girl in a
Remembering the real reason for Memorial Day Read More »
USA
By James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C — American Exceptionalism began when 56 brave patriots signed the Declaration of Independence, and has continued with the many thousands of Americans who paid the ultimate price to preserve the freedoms that make ours the greatest nation in the world. On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have
Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m., May 30, to honor U.S. Armed Forces Read More »
USA
Whatever is Contained Must Be Released: My Jewish Orthodox Girlhood My Life as a Feminist Artist by Helène Aylon, Feminist Press, New York, 2012, ISBN 978-1-55861768-1, 287 pages, $29.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–The author of Whatever Is Contained Must Be Released is a conceptual artist for whom Torah–and the rejection of some of
Artist/ Poet Aylon combats male-centered Judaism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Barry Rubin HERZLYIYA, Israel –While the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt claims victory, the election was actually a defeat—at least temporary and possibly less important than it seems—for the Brotherhood and Islamism. Here’s why. The Islamist Camp Note that only about 44 percent of voters backed an Islamist candidate, compared to 75 percent in the parliamentary
Islamists’ percentage dropped in Egypt’s voting Read More »
Middle East
By Lloyd Levy LONDON –It is a fascinating irony that Israel flourishes while Greece and Italy are self destructing. The reason for the irony, is that the founders of Zionism based their world view on the struggle for Independence of these European states. The Italian struggle for independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a particular
Italy, Greece succumb to Euro; Israel remains independent Read More »
International, Lloyd LevyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel has learned from more than 60 years in a difficult neighborhood not to solve problems. In case you are wondering, that is a compliment. It is a sign of political maturity. The most important lesson came in the Lebanon war that begin in 1982 and lasted until the troop
Coping is Israel’s great political skill Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Of the 70 family members and friends who gathered Saturday night, May 26, at the Crown Plaza Hanalei Hotel to celebrate the 90th birthday of World War II POW Sy Brenner, three sisters from France had only met the guest of honor the night before, but nevertheless were the
A poignant World War II ‘reunion’ on Memorial Day weekend Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Ilene Lerner CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts –Fortunately or unfortunately, my daughter Emily recently separated from her husband of thirty years, Chris Messier, and when I called to speak with her one summer day, her new voice message said I had reached the home of Emily Graf Messier. Graf is the last name of my first husband,
This woman, by any other name, is…. happier Read More »
Travel and FoodEditor’s Note: The following article was written in response to a commentary by Bruce Kesler criticizing the WorldBeat Center for showing the film, Tears of Gaza. By Makeda Cheatom SAN DIEGO — Part of our mission statement at the WorldBeat Center is to promote peace through consciousness raising. In our long history we have presented
WorldBeat Center seeks to help resolve conflicts Read More »
Jewish History
Photos and story Sandy Golden SAN DIEGO — Israeli Scouts from San Diego’s Carmel Valley, miniature plants of sunflower seeds from Israel, a San Diego middle-school student writing names in Hebrew for passers-by, the results of a Dream House Competition begun on “Yom Ha’atzma’ut”, a strolling, Yiddishe minstrel/ accordionist, young children and adults from local
Enthusiastic HOI lawn program spreads good will Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County
By Bruce Kesler Bruce Kesler SAN DIEGO — For those of you who, like me, enjoy “world music” it is saddening that a major venue in San Diego which largely targets children is sponsoring pro-Palestinian propaganda from a virulent anti-Israel, anti-US group operating under the misleading name Middle East Children’s Alliance. The WorldBeat Cultural Center sits
WorldBeat Cultural Center joins in propaganda attack on Israel Read More »
San Diego Calendar
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) has offered an amendment to the FY 2013 funding bill for the State Department that would require the Department to provide two numbers to Congress: 1) the number of Palestinians physically displaced from their homes in what became Israel in 1948, and 2) the
Sen. Kirk seeks true census of Palestinian refugees Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — According to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the almost complete vote counting for president looks like this: Mohamed Mursi (Brotherhood) 28.4% Ahmed Shafiq (Mubarak era general) 24.6% Abdul Moeim Abul Fotouh (so-called “moderate Islamist” but supported by radical Islamist Salafists) 18.1% Hamdeen Sabahi (radical anti-American “left” Nasserist) 17.1%
Muslim Brotherhood claims victory in Egypt voting Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — On Shabbat we begin reading the book of B’midbar, Numbers in English. At the conclusion of Shabbat we celebrate Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. According to rabbinic tradition, the Children of Israel received the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Torah from God on Shavuot, exactly fifty
New Jews join our people in spirit of Ruth Read More »
Jewish Religion