The Motives and Significance Behind Our Gifts

My newspaper came today with a large, glossy supplement of ideas for gift giving. I also received several catalogs with holiday gift ideas. Some magazines are even trying to be helpful by designating categories: for the man who has everything, for the woman in your life (a generation ago the suggestion was giving her a vacuum cleaner), gadgets for seniors, and, of course, toys for children, even toys for dogs and cats. Given the ongoing pandemic, we are being urged to buy early in order to avoid predicted supply-chain delays. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz

Judah, Reuben, David, Bill Clinton, and Other Flawed Leaders

The theme of leadership is an important topic in Parshat Vyehi. Although Joseph was the nation’s political leader, the brothers never chose Joseph to be their family leader. Instead, they chose Judah. Historically, in the days of the First Temple, Israel became divided between the nation of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel. Rivalry persisted between these nations for centuries. Yet, history proved that the tribe of Judah retained its leadership over the other tribes. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

Strengthening People-to-People Relationships, from San Diego to Sha’ar HaNegev

By Heidi Gantwerk I write this Shabbat message from Israel, where I am filled with emotion and excitement—even though I’m still in quarantine, having only landed here earlier today. If you’ve been here, you know. There is just nothing like being in Israel with its inspiring, vibrant mix of ancient and new, traditional and innovative,

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Heidi Gantwerk, San Diego County

Israel and India Look to Expand Cooperation, Boost Military Capabilities

By Yaakov Lappin (JNS) Israel and India are set to expand their cooperation further just weeks after a historic visit by India’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane. Navarne met with senior Israel Defense Forces officials, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and IDF Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai.

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International, Middle East

AIPAC Joining Political Campaign Finance Arena

By Dmitriy Shapiro (JNS) For the first time in its existence, AIPAC plans to support financially the campaigns of pro-Israel incumbents and candidates by forming two political action committees. AIPAC president Betsy Berns Korn announced the creation of the two PACs on Thursday, saying the current political environment necessitates the change. “Throughout AIPAC’s history, the

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Middle East, USA

IAEA Calls for Answers on Camera Recordings that Disappeared in Iran

Published by DPA The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that questions remain about surveillance camera recordings at a centrifuge parts plant in Iran that have disappeared. Tehran has yet to provide a convincing explanation about the recordings, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in Vienna. “We have doubts,” he said during a news

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Middle East

Israeli Cellist Nahar Eliaz Set for San Diego Encore

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The last live classical music I heard before COVID isolation set in was the cello recital of 13-year old Israeli cellist Nahar Eliaz on March 4, 2020, at Congregation Beth Am. In my review for San Diego Jewish World, I wrote: “Her’s was meaningful music-making of the highest

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

Behind the Scenes of US-Israel Tension Over Iran

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It is alarming, if not surprising, that Israeli and American officials are clashing over whether to revive a nuclear-arms deal with Iran or initiate military action. The New York Times reports in the opening paragraph of a Dec. 10 article that two Israeli officials left Washington last week “concerned

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Basketball Net Designed by ‘Jewish Jordan’ Scores Deals in Industry

By Eliana Rudee (JNS) Former professional American-Israeli basketball player Tamir Goodman, known informally as “The Jewish Jordan,”’ has made leaps and bounds on the court as a player, coach and educator, and now, he has started a new sports-equipment innovation company called “Aviv.” Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand was catalyzed by growing concerns around

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Middle East, Sports & Competitions, USA

Syrian Media: Soldier Killed in Israeli Strike Near As-Suwayda

(JNS) A Syrian soldier was killed early on Thursday by an Israeli missile strike in southern Syria, according to official Syrian media reports. Shortly before 1 a.m., Syrian air defenses were triggered by Israeli missiles coming from the direction of the Golan Heights, a Syrian military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The

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Middle East

Israel Approves Aid for Tourism Sector

(JNS) Israel extended COVID-19 travel restrictions on Wednesday, adding Britain and Denmark to the list of “red” countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The government also extended the regulations restricting entry to and exit from Israel by an additional week until Dec. 29. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and key government

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International, Middle East