Want orderliness in Israel? Check its orchestra, but not its politics or classrooms

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–My insight of the evening, while enjoying Haydn’s Symphony #96, Bartok’s Concerto #2 for piano and orchestra, and Schubert’s Symphony # 9: This isn’t politics. Zubin Mehta was in control. The Israeli Philharmonic was was in tune and orderly. I did not notice a stray note, protest, or lack of compliance throughout

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Travel and Food

Palestinian Authority settles in Rhode Island with survivors of Hamas killings

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (WJC)–The Palestinian Authority has settled a lawsuit brought in  Rhode Island over the killing of an American couple in Israel by Hamas gunmen in 1996. However, the court papers do not reveal the terms of the settlement, and it is unclear how much, if any, money the Palestinian Authority offered to resolve

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USA

Saint-Saens concert brought together unusual combination of two keyboardists

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO–The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) devoted its entire February 1 concert to the works of the great French composer, Camille Saint-Saens. According to Gdal Saleski, in his “Famous Musicians of Jewish Origin,” Saint-Saen was born to a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father who died of consumption two months after

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Eileen Wingard

Sharm el Sheikh is a mecca for tourists and possibly a deposed president

By Rabbi Ben Kamin DEL MAR, California– One of the incongruities (certainly less monumental than the cry for freedom that has transformed Egypt) has to do with apparent flight of deposed President Hosni Mubarak to “the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.” Sharm el-Sheikh, situated majestically on the Red Sea, a world-class getaway, was not

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Travel and Food

A bissel this, a bissel that – San Diego Jewish news and chatter

(column 18, February 14, 2011) Compiled by Donald H. Harrison Jewish Organizations Beth Jacob Congregation is using YouTube to publicize the Feb. 21 evening appearance of commentator Michael Medved.  The commercial is professionally done, and why not?  The congregation’s president is Rand Levin, one of the most talented video journalists in San Diego.  For many

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Carol Davis, San Diego County, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Do the Winfreys and Zuckerbergs of the world cause the rest to feel insignificant?

TEL AVIV (Press Release)— In the not-too-distant past, young people aspired to become lawyers and doctors. Now they yearn to achieve the celebrity of a Mark Zuckerberg or Oprah Winfrey — and these goals extend to adults as well. This has wreaked havoc with our self-image, says a Tel Aviv University psychologist, and undermined our

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Travel and Food

ADL welcomes Bar Association’s anti-bullying resolution

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday hailed the adoption of a strong and inclusive anti-bullying and cyberbullying resolution by the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates. The League provided expertise as the resolution and accompanying comprehensive report were crafted and discussed at the ABA’s mid-year meeting in Atlanta. “We are delighted

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USA

Mixed emotions in Israel in response to Egypt’s popular revolution

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Like many others in Israel, I find it difficult to form an informed opinion about what’s happening in Egypt and (having started in Tunisia) obviously spreading to other countries. My liberal outlook on life and politics and my Jewish commitments are once again at odds – and I’m by no means unique.

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Travel and Food

Ron Prosor named as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations

LONDON (WJC) — Ron Prosor, 58, currently Israel’s ambassador in Britain, has been appointed as the country’s new permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. According to media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s National Security Advisor Uzi Arad is expected to succeed Prosor in London. Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan decided last week

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Middle East

Erekat’s resignation dispiriting to Israeli left

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–When Al-Jazeera published the so-called Palestine Papers, reporting on the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, it looked for a moment that the standard mantra of the right-wing in Israel that there’s no partner to negotiate with would be exploded. However, with the resignation of Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian

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Middle East

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 28, 1955, Part 1

  Compiled by San Diego Jewish World Annual Dinner Dance Marks Jolly 16 Club’s 41st Year Southwestern Jewish Press, October 28, 1955, Page 1 At a luncheon meeting, held at the home of Mrs. Nate Ratner, it was decided that a check for $1,000 be turned over to the Hebrew Home for the Aged. Chairmen

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Adventures in SD History, San Diego County

Egyptian intellectual says Brotherhood must prove its readiness for democracy

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Pay close attention. This is an important signal of where the Egyptian regime is going. Tarek Heggy, one of Egypt’s most distinguished intellectuals and a man who, more than anyone else I know, predicted the course of events there, has written an  analysis of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is

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Middle East