‘Good Riddance, Merkel,’ Says Jewish-German Newspaper Publisher

By Orit Arfa (JNS) Rafael Korenzecher, publisher of the conservative Germany Jewish monthly, Jüdische Rundschau, does not spare any nicety in his parting words to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose successor will be determined after the German federal elections on Sept. 26. “It is a real pity you haven’t been dismissed from office much sooner,” […]

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International

How a Budget Standoff Demonstrated the Partisan Split Over Israel

By Jonathan S. Tobin (JNS) The Iron Dome missile-defense system has long been one of the least controversial aspects of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Funding for the idea was approved in principle by the George W. Bush administration in 2007 after the Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems conceived the project. It was an

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Middle East, USA

National Library of Israel Releases Rare Photographs of Sukkot During 1973 War

(JNS) Nearly 50 years after the Yom Kippur War, the National Library of Israel has released a number of rare photos showing how the festival of Sukkot, or “Feast of Tabernacles,” was celebrated during the conflict, even as war raged in the Sinai and the Golan Heights. Also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the

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Jewish Religion, Middle East

The Story Behind ‘Ussishkin’ Street

While strolling around Rechavia, one notices a pattern in the street names of the community: they are almost all named after sages of the Golden Age in Spain. A few examples are Radak, Ibn Ezra, Saadia Gaon, Ramban (Nachmanides), and Ben-Maimon (Maimonides or Rambam) – parenthetically, the street was named Ben-Maimon and not Rambam in order to differentiate it from Ramban, which sounds very similar.
Why was Yehuda Halevi, one of Spain’s most prominent scholars, philosophers and poets during the Medieval Period, missing from the street names? [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and Food

Mich. Rep. Andy Levin proposes pathway to two-state solution in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Published by The Detroit News WASHINGTON — Michigan U.S. Rep. Andy Levin is leading a bill would take steps to encourage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He introduced the text Thursday at the U.S. Capitol, marking the close of the High Holy Days and the start of the Jewish new year. Congress has

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USA

Israeli Leaders Thank US After Overwhelming Approval of Iron Dome Funding

(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz posted messages of thanks to the United States minutes after the House of Representatives voted in favor of supplying Israel with $1 billion worth of Iron Dome interceptors on Thursday. “Thank you to the United States House of Representatives, Democrats and Republicans as one,

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Middle East, USA

U.S. House backs bill to provide $1 billion for Israel Iron Dome system

Published by Reuters By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Thursday for legislation to provide $1 billion to Israel to replenish its “Iron Dome” missile-defense system, just two days after the funding was removed from a broader spending bill. The measure passed by 420 to 9, with two members

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USA

Jewish Federation Updates List of Organizations Condemning AFT 1931 Resolution on Israel

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County has updated its list of Jewish organizations and their leaders who have signed its statement condemning the anti-Israel resolution adopted by Local 1931 of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents faculty at the San Diego Community College District and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.  The statement issued Sept. 17 by the Jewish Federation and other elements of the organized Jewish community may be read here.  The AFT resolution that triggered the controversy may be read here. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Holocaust Survivors Urge Newsom to Veto ‘Dangerous’ Ethnic Studies Requirement Bill

SANTA CRUZ, California — Hundreds of Holocaust survivors and their descendants today urged Governor Gavin Newsom to veto AB 101, a bill mandating an ethnic studies high school graduation requirement.  The California legislature recently voted to advance AB 101, and the bill now heads to Newsom, who has until Oct. 10 to act. “We are Holocaust survivors and

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Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

SDCCD Responds to Anti-Israel Teachers Union as Local Sets Hate-Crime Training

By Chris Jennewein SAN DIEGO — The Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District has expressed “sincere thoughts” to Jewish students and teachers offended by a local union’s condemnation of Israel and said the district will “foster an inclusive atmosphere.” “We recognize that the opinions expressed by some groups, including the American Federation of

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San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Mark Zuckerberg and Wife Donate $1.3 million to 11 Jewish Groups

(Israel Hayom via JNS) Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are donating $1.3 million to 11 Jewish organizations, eJewish Philanthropy reported, citing a spokesperson for the couple. The funding comes from the Chan-Zuckerberg family office, not the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). According to the report, nine of the organizations receiving funding serve

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USA

After fall of Bashir, Sudan closes door on support for Hamas

Published by Reuters By Khalid Abdelaziz, Nafisa Eltahir and John Irish KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudanese authorities have taken control of lucrative assets that for years provided backing for Hamas, shedding light on how the country served as a haven for the Palestinian militant group under former leader Omar al-Bashir. The takeover of at least a

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Middle East

Francois Chouchan brings Le Salon de Musiques to La Jolla

There is a new chamber music series in town, taking place at the La Jolla Women’s Club. The inaugural opening concert, scheduled for this Sunday at 4:00 p.m., is sold out. The founder and director of the series is the French-Jewish pianist, Francois Chouchan. He is moving his nine concert series, Le Salon de Musiques, to La Jolla after an eleven year run in Los Angeles. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County