By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO–A blessed rain has fallen over the scorched and smoking northern hills of Israel, where Elijah once blasted the idolaters of the Carmel Mountain, and where the mystics wrote their tomes in Safed. The people of Israel, a beautiful farrago-state of clenched faith and flaring rage, have heard the precious words […]
Amid the flames and ashes, there was hope Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Now that the Carmel fire near Haifa is contained, the real work of rebuilding tattered homes, communities, and Israel’s gorgeous northern areas begins. Accordingly, J Street announced a $10,000 matching fund to help rebuild the communities affected by the disaster. With matching donations from the J Street community, the organization
J Street sets up $10,000 matching fund for Haifa fire relief Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–In response to the New START treaty pending in the Senate, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, sent a letter to Senators urging ratification. The full text of the letter follows: Dear Senator: On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism urges START ratification Read More »
USA
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There is a very important—one might say, life-and-death—distinction that should be made in considering U.S. counterterrorism policy. Certainly, U.S. forces have had many successes in stopping intended terrorist attacks against the United States. Yet there have also been a number of failures in the war against terrorism or al-Qaida
TEL AVIV (Press Release)― Naukrtis, a Greek trade emporium on Egyptian soil, has long captured the imagination of archaeologists and historians. Not only is the presence of a Greek trading settlement in Egypt during the 7th and 6th century B.C.E. surprising, but the Greeks that lived there in harmony hailed from several Greek states which
New theory offered how Greeks came to have a Nile Delta settlement in 7th Century BCE Read More »
Science, Medicine, & EducationHAIFA (Press Release)–The University of Haifa’s School of Social Work has set out to provide assistance to the Regional Council of Hof Hacarmel in the wake of the massive fire. Hof Hacarmel is the regional council responsible for managing much of the area affected by the great fire in the Carmel Mountains over the past
U of Haifa’s School of Social Work faculty to help provide post-fire counseling Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM, Monday, Dec 6 — Light rain and a change in the direction of the wind overnight signaled the end of the 4-day fires in the Carmel Forest. This morning, as grey skies and cooler temperatures blanketed the country, officials announced that the foreign fire-fighting help would be heading home and
Haifa fire controlled; experts suggest letting landscape recover on its own Read More »
Middle East
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Take the intense drama of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, add the unique unmelody of a Stephen Sondheim-ish score, and set it in a jazzed-up version of the three-story house in August-Osage County, and you have a semblance of the excruciatingly moving madness of Next to Normal, the Tony
‘Next to Normal’ actually proves quite spectacular Read More »
Cynthia CitronHAIFA (Press Release)– “Since 1978 the Carmel Mountains have seen some 500 small and medium fires and 9 large-scale conflagrations, which are considered such when over 100 hectares are burnt. All these fires together burnt some 3,000 hectares of forest, while the present fire has burnt some 5,000 hectares,” says Dr. Leah Wittenberg of the Department
Haifa fire burned more this time than all fires in region since 1978 Read More »
Middle EastBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM, Sunday a.m, Dec. 5 –looking for a few points of good (or at least better) news than we had before Shabbat. The manager of the renowned Carmel Forest Spa Hotel was interviewed on Reshet Bet Radio this morning and expressed his amazement that the hotel building itself is pretty much
Some hopeful news from Israel’s worst fire Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The fire is not yet under control. The weather is changing, aid has come from numerous countries, and the prospects are positive. Now the noise of politicians and activists blaming one another is taking over the media that had been devoted to on the scene action and human interest. The weekend reminded
As Haifa fire appears to ease, politicians rage Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Write Out Loud presents its annual celebration of the season with a program of short stories designed especially for the whole family. This year Sean Sullivan and Lynne Griffin, popular San Diego actors, are flying into town from Toronto just in time to participate. Sullivan, a San Diego native, and his wife,
Christmas and Chanukah to share spotlight in ‘Giving Season’ production Read More »
Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO — For the “Forever Plaids” their return to San Diego is a welcome sight. Just as a short trip down memory lane the musical Forever Plaid started at the Old Globe way back in 1991. The off- Broadway musical comedy, written by Stuart Ross hit New York in 1990 and became
‘Forever Plaid’ makes a comeback…from heaven Read More »
Carol Davis, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It is beneficial that Arab and Israeli leaders agree for once. Or is it just once? As The New York Times and other media report, the release of state secrets from WikiLeaks reveal how Iran’s nuclear preparations have terrified Arab leaders, and some have been urging strong action, including
Arab fears undermine peace process Read More »
Travel and Food