By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES–A middle-aged couple, once married but now divorced long enough to have gotten over their various grievances and resentments, have become casual friends. Would it be feasible, he suggests, for them to become Friends With Benefits? After all, neither of them has potential partners beating down their doors. And, as successful […]
‘The Escort’ may challenge what you think about sex Read More »
Cynthia Citron
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s an old Jewish joke about holidays – “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.” In a more serious vein, we read at the Passover Seder, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Observant Jews give charity before holidays to ensure that people have what they
The meal that’s much more than a dinner Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — How sadly ironic. A few years ago, the two previous U.S. presidents were trying to get Gulf Arab states to do more to foster an Arab-Israeli peace settlement and to stand up against Iran. They didn’t respond very much. Now they are ready for the battle and the current
Saudi Arabia, Gulf States: Iran Is Attacking Us Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Jewish Center Sets Annual Meeting Feb. 19 Southwestern Jewish Press, February 2, 1956, Page 1 The annual dinner meeting of the Jewish Community Center will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 6:45 p.m. in Temple Center, 3rd and Laurel Sts. Reservations at $3.00 per plate are now
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, February 2, 1956, Part 1 Read More »
Adventures in SD History, Jewish HistoryBy Cynthia Citron CULVER CITY, California — If talk radio hosts didn’t exist, somebody would have to invent them. Somebody already has. It’s playwright Martin McDonagh, who brings us the character of JohnnyPateenMike, the town gossip in The Cripple of Inishmaan. JohnnyPateenMike considers himself a “journalist” as he delivers the “news” door to door on
‘Cripple of Inishmaan’ is an able-bodied play Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–In case you haven’t heard, the world may end on May 21. Or it will be a new beginning. I have never been able to puzzle my way through the claims and calculations of those who are certain about these things. From what I do understand, the prediction means that just about
On those end-of-the-world predictions for May 21 and Sept. 29 Read More »
Ira SharkanskyBy Barry Rubin RIGA, Latvia — I’m in Riga, Latvia today, where my grandfather was born and my great-grandparents lived. It is a charming city and I hope to write more about it later. But I wanted to share with you a little story that you might find relevant. Whether or not you know it,
Some Latvian wisdom on dealing with an economic crisis Read More »
International
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—I love the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical “Cabaret”. I shudder at the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical “Cabaret”. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have seen this show. In fact, many moons ago, I saw Joel Grey the (often called) quintessential Emcee perform it live in yet another
‘Cabaret’ flawless and haunting in Cygnet production Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — On Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m. the San Diego community will present a special Holocaust commemoration (Yom Hashoah) program. The event will be held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, in the Garfield Theater, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. The theme will be “Remember, Honor, and Teach: Our
Holocaust commemoration plans in San Diego told Read More »
San Diego Calendar
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — “How can you let your daughter move to Israel?” The question, along with disbelieving little gasps, has been put to me by a number of well-meaning friends and acquaintances in recent weeks. My second daughter, Debra, has been recruited from The New York Times to serve as breaking
“How can you let your daughter move to Israel?” Read More »
Middle East
Finding Emilie by Laurel Corona, Gallery Books, 2011, 427 pages plus reading guide and conversation with author, $15. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Questions often arise about biblical passages, which seem to skip a lot of material. To fill in those blanks, rabbis over the centuries have written explanatory stories known as medrashim.
Finding women’s voices in 18th-century France Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –“Until next time” is the theme heard from military officers and commentators wrapping up the weekend’s dust-up with Hamas and its allies/competitors in Gaza. That is also a summary history of Israel. There is no clear answer to the question, “How many wars?” insofar as some “operations” are hardly different from
What passes for ‘macho’ in the Middle East Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — “Until the next round” is the headline in today’s Ha’aretz that describes the attempt at ceasefire between Hamas and Israel after these last days of intensive belligerence. As a result, the rockets raining on the Negev have been reduced, though not yet fully eliminated, and Israel has refrained from
No one assumes latest Israel-Gaza flareup will be the last Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Ali Gomaa, grand mufti of Egypt, writes in the New York Times: “Egypt’s religious tradition is anchored in a moderate, tolerant view of Islam. We believe that Islamic law guarantees freedom of conscience and expression (within the bounds of common decency) and equal rights for women. And as head
Grand Mufti claims Egypt’s Islam is moderate Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle East