Commentary: Despite 'crises,' Israeli life remains on even keel

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The sky is not falling. Today. After a week or so of panic following the encounter with the Turkish flotilla, nastiness from the peaks of the Turkish government, conventional censures from the United Nations and NGOs, and shrill comments of “We told you so” from J Street types, more conventional economics and […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 1, 1954, Part 2

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Personals Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Page 3 Mr. and Mrs. Sam Shapov of Chula Vista left Monday, Sept. 13 for a month’s tour of Mexico.  They will visit Mexico City and other spots of interest below the border. * We’re  glad to welcome back from Oceanside,

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Adventures in SD History, Middle East

Theater Review: A Monument Comes to Life

By Cynthia Citron    CALABASAS, California –  Picture the Blue Man Group covered in mud.  That’s a first impression of the Orto-Da Theatre Group,  a sensational ensemble of actors from Israel making their American debut last week at the International Theatre Festival in Calabasas.  Their presentation is called “Stones,” and, like the Blue Men, they work without words, completely in mime.  “Stones” was created and directed by Yinon Tzafrir, who

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Cynthia Citron, Middle East

Commentary: The unsettling messages in Andrew Shapiro's speech

By Shoshana Bryen     WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maybe it was just stylistic; maybe it was more. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro’s speech touting the United States as Israel’s best friend repeated itself: Israel’s future as a secure, Jewish, and democratic state is under threat from the dynamics of demography, ideology, and technology. The

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Middle East

AJCongress President explains status of his financially troubled organization

By Richard S. Gordon NEW YORK– There have been a number of questions over the last few days concerning the status of the American Jewish Congress.  Allow me to clarify those questions. Over the last number of years, and especially after Bernie Madoff stole approximately $21 million from our organization, the AJ Congress, like many

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Middle East, USA

Synthetic chemical compound can discourage mosquitoes from laying their eggs

HAIFA (Press Release)–A scientific breakthrough might assist in the fight against mosquitoes. New research carried out at the University of Haifa in collaboration with researchers from other universities has chemically identified, for the first time, compounds released by mosquitoes’ natural aquatic predators that function as warning signals for egg laying mosquitoes. Introducing these natural chemicals

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 1, 1954, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Tickets Go On Sale For Mrs. F.D.R. Talk Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Pages 1, 8 Invitations have been mailed this week inviting members of the Jewish community to participate as “Patrons” in presenting Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 11th at 8 p.m. Patrons, besides receiving

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Adventures in SD History, Middle East

Commentary: Finding obnoxious…er, common…ground (groan!)

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Curious how both an Orthodox Jewish leader and a Jewish gay-rights activist can be equally tactless and insulting? Toronto’s Elle Flanders joined the city’s Pride Parade as spokesperson for Queers Against Israeli Apartheid to bash Israel. Jewish organizations protested her group’s inclusion in the parade, and parade sponsor Pride Toronto initially banned

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Travel and Food

Commentary:Tisha B’Av feels more auspicious in Jerusalem than elsewhere

By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — I’ve never been in Tel Aviv or Haifa for Tisha B’Av, but my guess is that it probably doesn’t feel too much different than Tisha B’Av in Seattle–a few hardy souls sitting on the floor of their synagogues in the evening and then spending the day itself struggling to

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Commentary:U.S. pressing Israel for territorial concessions in trade for defensive weapons

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, was dispatched last Friday to the Brookings Institution to advance the charm offensive that seeks to convince Israelis and American supporters of Israel that the Obama Administration is Israel’s best friend. He worked hard, but his bottom line was

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA