By Mark D. Zimmerman Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a Haredi authority in Israel on legal and ethical practice, died in March 2022 at the age of 94 in Bnei Brak. Among his rabbinic rulings was that it was forbidden to own a smartphone without first receving permission from a halahkic authority, and that the owner could […]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky Auction Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israel seems mired in a context of reform proposals, which would increase the power of politicians over the judiciary. One proposal would increase the power of the government in naming judges; another would provide the ruling party the power to override decisions of the Supreme Court. A third proposal
More Noise Than Action in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion
“My Own Directions,” by Sheldon Epps; McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 2022. ISBN 978-1-1-4766-8858-9; 183 pages. By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — Artistic director, actor, and author, Sheldon Epps, has become a leader in the theater world, renowned for his work on both coasts of America and across the pond in London. Most recently,
‘My Own Directions’ Speaks to the Triumph of Taking a Leap of Faith Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
(Melody: This Train is Bound for Glory) On the First Anniversary of the Russian Invasion By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Ukraine is bound for glory, Ukraine. Winning a war so gory, Ukraine. Ukraine will prove greater. Beat the invader and its dictator. Ukraine is bound for glory, Ukraine. Ukraine has a smaller army, Ukraine.
Ukraine is Bound for Glory (aka I’m Not Rootin’ for Putin) Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few nights ago, I was having dinner with Marianne, a close friend. We were reminiscing about our European childhoods and the surprising similarities in our upbringing. Marianne was born in Germany in 1922. I was born four years later in France. We were eating root
Nostalgia: Reminiscing About Similar German and French Childhoods Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
A visit in December 2021 to Weitzman’s office at San Diego Humane Society indicated that Weitzman, himself, may be the biggest dog lover in the family. “Rosie,” a young German Shepherd, and “Betty” an elderly Pit Bull mix, were ensconced on side-by-side sleeping mats located between his desk and a couch. Rosie enthusiastically greets visitors, perhaps believing the real purpose of their visit is to see her. She eventually settles down, taking her place alongside Bett’s mat. Betty looks up and sighs, as if to say, “She’s a puppy, what can you do?” and placidly closes her eyes again. [Donald H. Harrison]
County Humane Society Greatly Expands Under Its Jewish Leader Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share
You may have been aware that a small group of neo-Nazis had called for a National Day of Hate on Saturday, Feb. 25, during which their fellow antisemites were urged to rally, disrupt, and document their odious conduct with photographs of their activities. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Saturday of Love, Not of Hate Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
(JNS) With a book by Alfred Uhry, and lyrics and music by Jason Robert Brown, the 1998 musical “Parade” tells the tragic story of Jewish factory manager Leo Frank, who was tried, convicted and sentenced to death for the rumored rape and the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta in 1913. Two years later,
ADL Condemns Neo-Nazi Protests of Broadway Play About Antisemitic Lynching Read More »
Holocaust, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Mike Wagenheim (JNS) As the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches its one-year anniversary on Friday, North American Jewish leaders at the forefront of humanitarian aid to Ukraine are appreciative of the ways Jews have pitched in. Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), told JNS world Jewry has
One Year into the War, Jewish Humanitarian Efforts Remain in Full Throttle in Ukraine Read More »
International, USA
By Stephen M. Flatow (JNS) The Biden administration says that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) are terrorists. The European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and many other countries say the same. It’s not a Republican vs. Democrat issue. It’s not a conservative vs. liberal controversy. It’s something on which all reasonable people agree. So why
Biden Calls Them Terrorists, Why Won’t the Media? Read More »
International, Israel, Opinion, USA
(JNS) Oman has opened its airspace to overflights by Israeli airlines, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced on Thursday. “This historic decision will shorten the time of flights from Israel to Asia and lower ticket prices. I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the National Security Council and the director general of the Foreign Ministry,” said Cohen.
Oman Opens Airspace to Overflights by Israeli Carriers Read More »
Business & Finance, Israel, Middle East
County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher plans to run in 2024 for the seat of state Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, the year she will be ineligible to run again because of term limits. Fletcher will be in the middle of his second term as a county supervisor at that time, so, depending on the outcome of the state Senate election, we may face a special election for his seat. [Donald H. Harrison]
B’Shalom: Special Elections Here and Elsewhere Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Opinion, San Diego County, USA
Published by Reuters By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) – Gaza terrorists fired rockets and Israel carried out airstrikes in a cross-border exchange on Thursday, after 11 Palestinians were killed a day earlier during an Israeli raid in the West Bank, renewing concerns of a broader escalation. Mediation efforts were underway by Egypt and the United
Israel-Gaza Border Heats Up After West Bank Violence Read More »
Israel
By Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Rapid Response Network issued a condemnation Wednesday of the Biden Administration’s proposed new restrictions on refugees seeking asylum in the United States. The coalition of human rights organizations, led by Jewish Family Service of San Diego, operates local migrant shelters funded by