Palestinian Rivals Agree on Elections to End Dispute, But Doubts Persist

Published by Reuters By Lamine Chikhi and Nidal al-Mughrabi ALGIERS/GAZA (Reuters) – Rival Palestinian factions meeting in Algiers for talks mediated by the Algerian government agreed on Thursday to resolve 15 years of discord through elections that will be held within a year, a Palestinian and an Algerian official said. However, there was scepticism back […]

Palestinian Rivals Agree on Elections to End Dispute, But Doubts Persist Read More »

Middle East

Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22

UC San Diego Literature Prof. Amelia Glaser, who has specialized in Jewish studies, will lecture on “Babyn Yar in Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego.  The lecture focuses on the Nazi execution of 33,771 Jews at a ravine Sept. 29-30, 1941, and the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s memorial poem written 20 years later. [Temple Emanu-El News Release]

Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History

Recently Resigned Los Angeles City Council President Made Antisemitic Comments, Audio Reveals

(JNS) Disgraced political leader Nury Martinez made anti-Semitic comments in an October 2021 conversation with Los Angeles City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday, adding to the racism controversy surrounding the now-former president of the City Council. Martinez — who already resigned as Los Angeles City Council

Recently Resigned Los Angeles City Council President Made Antisemitic Comments, Audio Reveals Read More »

California

A San Diego Rabbi’s Incisive Analysis of the Book of Numbers

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Maimonides’ Hidden Torah Commentary: Numbers is the latest of the many brilliant, learned, eye-opening, easy-to-read, and easy-to-understand books by the brilliant scholar Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel. It is another one of his excellent contributions to scholarship. San Diego County’s own Rabbi Samuel — currently the

A San Diego Rabbi’s Incisive Analysis of the Book of Numbers Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Sefaria Unveils First-Ever Digital English Translation of ‘Mishneh Torah’ Interconnected With Other Jewish Texts

(Press Release) For the first time ever, learners can experience a full digital, English translation of the Mishneh Torah interconnected with other Jewish texts, thanks to Sefaria, a non-profit organization that digitizes and freely shares Jewish texts in Hebrew and in translation. The Mishneh Torah, authored by Rambam (Maimonides) in the Medieval era, consists of

Sefaria Unveils First-Ever Digital English Translation of ‘Mishneh Torah’ Interconnected With Other Jewish Texts Read More »

Jewish Religion, USA

Arab-Jewish Musician Releases CD Exploring His Heritages

Yoni Avi Battat’s debut album, Fragments, explores his Arab-Jewish identity through nine selections. He composed the music for seven of them, delving into the Arabic melodies of his grandparent’s native Iraq for inspiration and including native instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), qanun (chordaphone with many strings), nay (reed flute), riq (tambourine), frame drum, karakeb (large iron castenets), darbuka (goblet shaped drum) and joza (coconut shell fiddle held on knee). [Eileen Wingard]

Arab-Jewish Musician Releases CD Exploring His Heritages Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon

Envoy Hochstein, in the tradition of American negotiators in Israel’s sphere, has proposed that it accept 100% of Lebanon’s demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some minor concessions to Israel. In any event, Hezbollah rejects the entire agreement, adding additional requirements. Acting Prime Minister Lapid had immediately commented favorably on the proposed deal, although the opposition vehemently disagrees. (Steve Kramer]

US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon Read More »

Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Offshore Gas Deal Seems Fair, Though Ill-Timed

The Americans were given the task of producing a draft agreement, and the man they chose for doing the deal is a Jew, a former Israeli, and veteran of the IDF, who subsequently moved to Washington and joined the State Department. Amos Hochstein expresses the mix of Israeli and American identities. He’s produced something that seems reasonable, especially given Israel’s economic strength and Lebanon’s economic desperation.  [Ira Sharkansky]

Offshore Gas Deal Seems Fair, Though Ill-Timed Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sukkah Symbols

By Mark D. Zimmerman Jews around the world are celebrating Sukkot this week. The most significant preparation is the building of a sukkah, a temporary outdoor structure, by many synagogues, schools, Jewish organizations, and individuals. The sukkah symbolizes the huts in which the Israelites lived during the Exodus, and also represents the structures that farmers

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sukkah Symbols Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

How Attuned Are You to the Three Components of Spirituality?

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — How often have you heard people say that someone is spiritual? I always wonder what they mean exactly; when asked, no one has ever given me a satisfactory explanation.  Current studies include a variety of definitions. There is still no widely agreed on definition of spirituality

How Attuned Are You to the Three Components of Spirituality? Read More »

Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz

‘Summer Lightning’ and the Sudden Strikes of Love

This novel follows a Jewish family through nearly four decades of American history, starting with the couple’s chance meeting at Roosevelt Field on May 20, 1927, while watching Charles Lindbergh begin his solo flight across the Atlantic, and extending through the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. [Donald H. Harrison]

‘Summer Lightning’ and the Sudden Strikes of Love Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

Carmel Valley Middle School Teacher Posts Hitler Next to Gandhi, FDR, JFK, MLK in Classroom

LOS ANGELES — (Press Release) The Simon Wiesenthal Center has urged the San Dieguito Union High School District to take proactive action regarding Carmel Valley Middle School where Adolf Hitler’s portrait was placed alongside inspirational historical leaders including U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, U.S President John F. Kennedy, British Prime Minister

Carmel Valley Middle School Teacher Posts Hitler Next to Gandhi, FDR, JFK, MLK in Classroom Read More »

San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education