By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This is the season for projecting a continuation of what has been. Some of you have accused me of cynicism. Some have called me a realist. No one should be surprised by what follows. Overseas observers will report on Israel’s military exercises in preparation for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
An Israeli columnist's 2010 predictions Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel–“You must read this,” a friend said, thrusting some typed pages into my hand. They contained the text of a speech given by Elena Bonner, the Jewish widow of former Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, at the Freedom Forum held in Oslo, Norway, in May 2009. I read the typescript with
Elena Bonner tells Norwegians about their double standard Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, USAPASADENA, California—Cantor Alisa Pomerantz Boro, former cantor at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, will be back in California tonight to participate in a benefit concert for the Cantors Assembly. The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, 1434 North Altadena Drive. It will include Jewish music in solo, ensemble and choral
Cantor Pomerantz-Boro to join Los Angeles area cantors in concert tonight Read More »
Travel and FoodWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Following is the text of a “dear colleague” letter National Intelligence Agency director Dennis Blair sent to members of the intelligence community in the wake of the attempted Christmas bombing of an airliner by a Nigerian man believed to be an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist: It has been an especially challenging week for the
National Intelligence Director Blair vows agencies will 'close the gap' Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In the wake of the recent attempted attack on Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight 253, several elected officials have renewed their politicized claims that closing the prison at Guantánamo would be dangerous and premature. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) urges the President to reject the use of this incident as fodder to
By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO–For the past two years I have enjoyed writing a series of articles about the Bella Family Circle which was comprised of the descendants of the family matriarch, Bella, and the people who married them. The original Founding Members were Bella’s children: Sam, Israel, Ralph, Al, Willie and Sarah (my
The Bella Family Circle – from 67 to 120 Read More »
Travel and FoodWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama’s regular Saturday morning radio address dealing this week with his administration’s efforts to fight terrorism: THE PRESIDENT: It has now been more than a week since the attempted act of terrorism aboard that flight to Detroit on Christmas Day. On Thursday, I received the
Obama stresses Yemen's importance in fight against al Qaeda Read More »
USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Following its very successful exploration of Reform Judaism two years ago, the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem has just held a similar two-day conference on Conservative Judaism. The event was held at a time when the movement is having difficulties, especially in the United States where it’s no longer the dominant
Is there still a market for Conservative Judaism? Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM—Perhaps Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stress on the Iranian threat may not only reflect the grim reality of Israel being in the firing line but also a ploy to avoid dealing with the Palestinian issue by arguing that Iran is a more urgent and immediate problem and must be dealt with before
Soft-pedalling external opposition to Iran to help the internal opposition Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)- House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohion on Wednesday issued the following statement on the attempted airline terrorist attack as well as the Obama Administration’s response: “The terrorist plot to bring down Northwest Airlines Flight 253 exposed a near-catastrophic failure at every level of our government. News reports suggest our government
Republicans want U.S. to treat terrorists as war makers not individual criminals Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Wednesday sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to strengthen U.S. counterterrorism policies in the wake of the December 25 attack. Following is the text of the letter sent by Chairman Feinstein
Feinstein seeks revision of terrorist watchlist rules Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Before leaving town, the House and Senate agreed to a 60-day extension of provisions of the Patriot Act set to expire at the end of the year. When they return they will take up the separate House and Senate versions of the bill that would reauthorize the full
Congress should examine both Patriot Act and Interpol privileges Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USASAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Janice Alper, former executive director of the Union for Progressive Judaism in Australia and a founding member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, will discuss “The Jews of Australia,” at 7:30 p.m., Fridy, Jan. 8, at Congregation Dor Hadash, 4858 Ronson Court, San Diego. For more information, contact Mark
Jews of Australia topic of Jan. 8 Shabbat talk at Dor Hadash Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA–Where’s a J Street when you really need one? For a very long time, I could not voice differences over Israeli policies without being shouted down by hard line advocates for Israel. It was very difficult to defend Israeli policies. The military undertook operations that seemed excessive and settlements were
The word for J Street: irrelevance Read More »
Middle East