By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The commotion over the place of women in buses and on sidewalks reminds us that religion plays a central role in Israeli politics. There is no formal separation of religion and politics. Moreover, Judaism is a religion that gives a central role to political history, political criticism, and political maneuvering.
Israel’s democracy nourished by biblical arguments Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish ReligionBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ongoing chaos in both Egypt and Syria offers few certainties. But one fact is already clear: The military opportunities Israel wasted in recent years won’t come again, and those missed opportunities will likely cost it dearly. In December 2008, Israel went to war with Hamas in Gaza. But
The Cost of Missing a Military Opportunity Read More »
Middle East
By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — In a recent interview, the Jewish writer George Steiner spoke about “the constant din” that surrounds us 24/7 now in this postmodernhigh-tech world we have created. He was speaking of the need to find silence from time to time, to get away from the constant din of life.
This ‘CD’ is an enemy of scholarship and peace Read More »
Travel and Food
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — While former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was being carried on a stretcher into court in Cairo, King Abdullah of Jordan was hosting Israeli and Palestinian representatives in Amman about the possibility of resuming peace talks after more than a year’s break. Neither side is holding out any hope, but
Parties talking Middle East peace don’t really want it Read More »
Middle EastCompiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Press Notes Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 7 By Julia Kaufman “Dyed in the Wool” — You’ve met them — in fact, you might be one … the dyed-in-the-wool Republican or Democrat. After several people told me during the primaries about their family traditions and loyalties,
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Oct. 19, 1956, Part 4 Read More »
Adventures in SD HistoryBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — A ginger cat scampered along the gangway in front of the stage at the special concert given in the Jerusalem Theatre by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra last Independence Day. The young soloist who was playing Rachmaninoff’s very demanding third piano concerto didn’t seem to notice, though the audience did.
Feline interruptions not cat-astrophes for the orchestras Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — Beyond Memphis, whence he was once driven away because he thought racism was immoral, most folks did not know John T. Fisher, a Christian who actually thought the Bible was telling him something more important than his less-enlightened white cronies and club buddies. “John T.” died on December
Eulogy for the man of Memphis who cared Read More »
USA
By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — I contacted a friend recently who at one time served on the staff of the Republican Jewish Coalition and is still very involved in the Republican Party to discuss the danger of Ron Paul. Actually, I asked if he would co-author with me articles on the threats
Ron Paul victory in Iowa could imperil aid to Israel Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — People often talk about David Ben Gurion’s encouragement of Haredi Jews to settle in Israel as his “greatest blunder.” Yet, not even he could foresee the damage the Haredi would cause in the future. Ben Gurion acknowledged the terrible mistake he made in a letter he
A Polish homeland for Israel’s haredim? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastCompiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Birdie Stodel Holds Donor Luncheon October 30th Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 1956, Page 5 Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Women will hold their Annual Donor Luncheon on Tuesday, October 30, 12 noon, at the Continental Room, San Diego Hotel. A fine menu has been planned and for entertainment
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Oct. 19, 1956, Part 3 Read More »
Adventures in SD HistoryBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — On the face of it, Israel is being turned into a ghetto. As soon as the wall on the Egyptian border will be completed, they’ll start building one on the Jordanian side. But whereas the traditional ghetto walls were to keep Jews out of the non-Jewish world, this time
Walls may surround it, but Israel is no ghetto Read More »
Middle EastCompiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Personals Southwestern Jewish Press, October 19, 2011, Page 2 Cantor and Mrs. Joseph Cysner invite their friends in the congregation and community to an Open House at their new home at 5061 Tierra Baja Way, off Campanile Drive, on Sunday, Oct. 28, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. *
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, Oct. 19, 1956, Part 2 Read More »
Adventures in SD HistoryBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — This past Shabbat, I spoke about the theme of risk as it pertained to Judah’s dilemma; it is only when he shows a willingness to risk his welfare for Benjamin, Judah suddenly displays the heroic trait that many of his descendants would later emulate. Heroes throughout
Beit Shemesh haredi man shows courage in open letter Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The current phase of Israel’s religious conflict is well along in its ritualized pattern. The details may differ each time the conflict heats up, but the basic story is similar. A specific incident excites the faithful and the not-so-faithful Events escalate from name calling, pushing, spitting, blocking traffic, the
Haredi-secular conflict follows familiar patterns Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East