By Dan Elbaum (June 23, 2021 / JNS) It was perhaps the most important meeting in Jewish history, but it was also simply a discussion between two old friends. Harry S. Truman was the president of the United States, the most powerful man in the world. Across from him in the Oval Office sat Eddie Jacobson, […]
Why President Truman’s support for Israel is more relevant than ever Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USA
By Eran Swissa and JNS staff (June 24, 2021 / Israel Hayom via JNS) Gilad Shalit, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier who spent five years as a prisoner of Hamas, and Nitzan Shabbat were married on Wednesday in a private ceremony in central Israel. The two got engaged in 2020 after a two-year courtship.
10 years after release from Hamas captivity, Gilad Shalit gets married Read More »
Middle East
The tendency to equate the state with one’s person — expressed in the phrase “L’etat c’est moi” (I am the state) — was a feature of the monarchies of Europe in the period during and after the Middle Ages. With the passage of time, as the introduction of republics, democracies, and various forms of constitutional monarchy became a thing of the past, the phrase is now identified largely with the 17th century French king, Louis XIV (and to a limited extent France’s post-WWII president Charles de Gaulle). The phrase epitomizes the arrogance and self-importance of the person uttering it. I have not heard those words spoken by Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, but his behavior in the latter part of his 12-year “reign” as Israel’s prime minister, as well as in the manner of his leaving that position, indicates that he may well think and believe it. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Published by Philippine Star MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is hoping to learn from Israel medical experts who recently arrived to observe the country’s vaccine rollout, Malacañang said yesterday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the team of three Israeli doctors Avraham Ben Zaken, Adam Nicholas Segal and Dafna Segol that arrived last Sunday
Israel medical experts in Philippines to observe vaccine rollout Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
The relation of this Haftorah to the Torah parasha Balak is that in the parasha, we read of Balak, king of Moab, designing a plot against Moses and the Israelites; in the Haftorah Micah recalls that story. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for June 26, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
When it comes to the Exodus from Egypt, there are countless references—both implicit and explicit—that add depth beyond the plain meaning of the text. Take for instance the exchange between Moses and Pharaoh where Moses asks to sacrifice in a distant land. [Teresa Konopka]
Some Forgotten Background to Biblical Episodes Read More »
Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka
I introduced Judy Bloom, Elizabeth Enright and Norton Juster to my summer hangouts, and they in turn, took me to places I’d never visited. The experience of gobbling up all of the library’s offerings seemed limitless and thrilling. And now, thanks to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, summer reading is back! [Eva Trieger]
LFJCC Summer Reading Program Features Jewish Authors and Topics Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, San Diego County
Published by New York Daily News “Sesame Street” featured two gay dads and their daughter in a groundbreaking episode celebrating diversity and inclusion. In an episode entitled “Family Day,” which premiered last week on HBO Max and YouTube, the beloved children’s show has a scene in which Nina (Suki Lopez) introduces her brother Dave (Chris
‘Sesame Street’ celebrates inclusion with episode featuring 2 gay dads Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Published by Reuters By Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday for the first time since taking a lead role in immigration issues, her office said, bowing to pressure that she make the high-profile trip. Harris will travel to El Paso, Texas, on Friday and will
Vice President Kamala Harris to visit U.S.-Mexico border on Friday Read More »
USA
Published by Reuters By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favor of a Pennsylvania teenager who sued after a profane social media post got her banished from her high school’s cheerleading squad in a closely watched free speech case, but it declined to outright ban public schools from regulating off-campus
Cheerleader prevails at U.S. Supreme Court in free speech case Read More »
USA
Advocates for the Palestinians exerted their terrorism talents in or near two prominent American cities 3,000 miles apart in recent weeks. First they prevented a privately-owned Israeli ship from unloading its cargo in Oakland, California, across the bay from San Francisco. On Sunday, they succeeded in canceling a food festival in the Kensington section of Philadelphia because the organizers dared to allow an Israeli food truck to participate. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Anti-Israel Forces Block Ship in Oakland, Food Festival in Philadelphia Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA
Written by Rabbi Shimshon Meir Frankel, a clinical psychologist living in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, who also practices as a marriage and family therapist, with more than 25 years of experience, his book stands out with its Torah-driven, short-term, solution-oriented focus anchored in ancient wisdom. It puts the reader in the driver’s seat with very concentrated tools to live free of foreign, unhelpful thoughts, “antagonists,” and unhealthy behaviors – it is soul focused and value grounded. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Book Review: The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Gershon is sitting on the bus with two baskets brim full of purchases from the open- air market at his feet, one basket crowding his legs, the other half in the aisle, a traditional arrangement on Jerusalem’s buses as they aren’t designed for ample purchases. Jerusalemites like to purchase in bulk. They have large families. Besides, at any time someone or many someones may “drop in.” Gershon’s wife, Rachelah, who was not blessed with children, likes people to drop in. She is fond of quoting Gershon who quotes from the Mishna: ‘Let your house be open wide.’ [Larry Lefkowitz]
Short Story: Gershon’s Bus Ride Read More »
Jewish Fiction, Middle East
In sports, which can serve as a microcosm of our society, we saw over the past few days the ugly and the beautiful.
The ugly came following a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regional championship basketball game between Coronado High School of the City of Coronado and Orange Glen High School of the City of Escondido. At the end of the hard-fought game, which Coronado narrowly won, some of its players “celebrated” by tossing packages of tortillas at the Orange Glen team, whose players are predominantly Mexican-American. Coronado High School, in contrast, is predominantly White. [Donald H. Harrison]
Demonstrations of the Ugly and the Beautiful in Sports Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA