By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–You want fairness from this aging academic? This is a time when I’ll side with a prominent Israeli Arab politician, who has been a source of considerable annoyance for us Jews. But fair is fair. In the last couple of days he earned my commendation. Ahmed Tibi, MD, is one
Knesset suspension of Arab member unfair Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight, USN (ret.) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just recently President Obama crossed the Potomac River and stopped at the Pentagon to roll out America’s newest national security strategy – Sustaining Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense. The key thesis of the strategy is that after ten years of war in the Middle
Only U.S. can keep Strait of Hormuz open Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– It’s not easy being an Israeli. It is even harder being an Israeli policymaker, especially at the top with responsibility for things domestic and foreign. Last week the problems were local, in the form of thousands of Israelis of Ethipian origin, one unhappy Israeli of Iraqi origin, and lots of angry Israeli Arabs,
Tension escalates between Israel and U.S. over Iran Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastCompiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Personals Southwestern Jewish Press, November 16, 1956, Page 2 In the future Lt. Robert Waller will receive his Jewish Press airmail. If any of his friends wish to give him first hand news, phone the Press. (Incidentally, he likes salami.) * Mr. and Mrs. Morris Weinstein, formerly of
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Nov. 16, 1956, Part 2 Read More »
Adventures in SD History
Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish by Doron Kornbluth, K’hal Publishing, ISBN 978-1-60204-016-8, 189 pages including notes, retail price unlisted By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Anyone who is active in the Jewish community will not be surprised by the suggestions here compiled by Doron Kornbluth, a Jerusalem writer. They follow mainline thinking that if you
Author offers ‘how to’ book for raising children Jewishly Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –As we give pause to the memory of Martin Luther King and his profound ethical message concerning the evils of racial intolerance, it behooves us to ask ourselves: Have we, as a religious community, fully embraced the principles that cost this great man his life? Most American
Chabad should end its discrimination against Ethiopian Jews Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–If you’re an optimist you may decide to interpret the comings and goings of the US and Israeli generals as yet another way to intimidate Iran and prevent it from manufacturing nuclear arms. If, on the other hand, you’re a pessimist, you may conclude that the frequent contacts between Israeli and
Confusion and speculation about whether war with Iran is coming Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Last week was was another occasion when Israel’s ethnic issues escaped from the closet to arouse one crowd and numerous commentators. The crowd was more than two thousand Ethiopians who demonstrated against discrimination in the town of Kiryat Malachi. The principal charge was that landlords refused to rent
Charting ethnic divides in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–When one of their movies was over, Hollywood movie moguls typically filmed a placard reading “The End.” But how were the end of their own lives marked on their tombstones? In an engaging article in the Winter 2012 issue of Western States Jewish History, Regina Merwin tracks down the gravestones
The not-so-big finales of Hollywood’s movie moguls Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –I could not help but read the Chabad reaction to Shmuley Boteach’s new book, Kosher Jesus. Most of us, who have no inner access to the Chabad inner circle, might be surprised by the ferocity of the Lubavitchers’ reactions. Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, Dean of SJ Abrams Cheder
Boteach’s ‘Kosher Jesus’ stirs Lubavitcher wrath Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi“The Kissenger Saga,” a film by Evi Kurz Reviewed by Joel and Arlene Moskowitz LA JOLLA, California–The story of the Kissenger boys, who escaped Hitler’s campaign to anihilate the Jews, is a star example of the American dream . It is told in a picture directed by Evi Kurz who wrote a book about them. Henry (actually
S.D. Jewish Film Festival: ‘The Kissinger Saga’ a double American success story Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — He discovered something within himself to elevate his hard, quick journey (some say it was his deep love of ideas) and his uncommon vision. In truth, Martin Luther King, Jr. (born Mike King) lived a short, brutal life, filled with prison stays, bouts of depression, fear, and threats.
Martin Luther King Jr’s eventful life was all too short Read More »
USA
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In reading a book (“Galileo’s Daughter” by Dava Sobel) about the sixteenth and seventeenth century scientist, astronomer, and philosopher Galileo Galilei, I learned that despite his run-ins with the Catholic Church, Galileo was a deeply religious man. His religious beliefs, however, were out of synch with the orthodoxies
Bible’s “truths” are spiritual not necessarily historical Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The Washington Post ran several articles and columns this week about the emergence of once-secret U.S.-Taliban talks designed to pave the way for an American exit from Afghanistan. Writers have likened them to the talks that preceded our exit from Vietnam. Maybe, but there is another cautionary tale