Palestinians and Israelis Can’t Solve the Problem, So They Cope

We can’t solve the issue, or the problem, of Palestine. So, we cope. Years ago, I asked my daughter, who was studying to be a clinical psychologist, about her dissertation. It dealt with coping. What’s that? She explained, and I came to see coping as the essence of dealing politically with insoluble problems. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

Palestinians and Israelis Can’t Solve the Problem, So They Cope Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Brava Cello Performance by a 15-year-old Prodigy

July Galper, America-Israel Cultural Foundation member, introduced the 15-year-old Israeli cellist, Nahar Eliaz for her second appearance in San Diego.  In spite of the rain and the upsurge of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, some 100 plus people ventured out to hear this brilliant talent. Lawrence Family JCC CEO, Betzy Lynch, fully masked, warmly welcomed the attendees. [Eileen Wingard]

Brava Cello Performance by a 15-year-old Prodigy Read More »

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

What we don’t know about Judah- Part One

The unclear stories about Judah are significant because Jewish and Christian theology contend that the messiah will be a descendant of this fourth son of Jacob. What if anything did Judah do to merit this distinction? We will address this question and point out many obscurities in Genesis 37 and 38. We will address other obscurities in chapters 39 and others in the next essay. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

What we don’t know about Judah- Part One Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Good News from Israel – December 26, 2021

NETANYA, ISRAEL — In the December 26, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–An Israeli treatment for Parkinson’s has successfully finished trials.
–Israel is the only Middle Eastern country where Christians are thriving.
–Israeli nanomaterials are reshaping the manufacturing industry.
–The UAE hosted an event in its Embassy to showcase Israeli technology.
–An Israeli woman has won Israel’s first World Championship swimming gold medals.
–Three major archaeological discoveries in Israel. [Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel – December 26, 2021 Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions

New Sunday Series Will Probe Jewish Stories Along the Interstate 5

Every Sunday of 2022, with the permission of San Diego Jewish World’s new publisher and editor Jacob Kamaras, I will be posting an installment of a new book that I am writing, tentatively titled Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5. [Donald H. Harison]

New Sunday Series Will Probe Jewish Stories Along the Interstate 5 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Book Review: All You Need is Revolutionary Love

There are voices, in the here-and-now, that are heard, but not listened to, and seemingly ignored and unheeded. One of those voices flows from Rabbi Dr. Michael Lerner, some menschkatz and psychotherapist philosopher with licensing letters succeeding his surname. He is an old and wise hippy who was inspired by the dreams of the 1960s and -70s, fought the good fight, survived that fight, learned from the mistakes of that era, and who, to this day, continues to learn from and educate others. [John E. Finley]

Book Review: All You Need is Revolutionary Love Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, The World We Share, USA

Maimonides on the Morality of Our Choices and Behavior

Maimonides’ understanding of the Book of Exodus ought to have great relevance to people who study the weekly Torah portion. Although he did not write an exposition on this book of the Torah, he writes about it profusely in his Mishneh Torah and his Guide for the Perplexed; the same may be said about his other voluminous writings. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Maimonides on the Morality of Our Choices and Behavior Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Tales of a Jewish Santa Claus

I think that most of us have a complicated relationship with Christmas. The lights are pretty, the food is tasty and many of the songs are catchy, but it’s just not our holiday. The über-orthodox just ignore it as it’s no more relevant to them than Diwali, Eid or Buddha’s Birthday, but the vast majority of us don’t live in such an ethno-cultural bubble. When you’re a professional entertainer, this relationship is heightened as it behooves you to own some Santa-themed costume pieces and know the words to Christmas carols. [Eric George Tauber]

Tales of a Jewish Santa Claus Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Scarlett Johansson seeks a buyer for her New York penthouse

Published by BANG Showbiz English Scarlett Johansson is struggling to find a buyer for her New York penthouse. The 37-year-old actress initially put the plush pad on the market 18 months ago for $2.3 million, but she’s now reportedly slashed the asking price to $1.86 million. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence was first listed on the

Scarlett Johansson seeks a buyer for her New York penthouse Read More »

Jewish Celebrities

Getting to Know a Shaliach from Israel Can Be Life Changing

Shlichim (plural of shaliach or shlicha, the feminine form of the word) are emissaries who are trained and sent from Israel to be equal parts teacher, ombudsman, and friend to myriad kids, staff, and community members with whom they come in contact over the course of a shlichut (literally, a “mission”) that typically lasts between two and three years. Those years are spent far from home and as a time-out from career pursuits, but with a vitally important purpose: to bring Israel to life for Jews throughout the Diaspora. [Doron Krakow]

Getting to Know a Shaliach from Israel Can Be Life Changing Read More »

International, Middle East, USA

OpEd: Israel’s Energy Muddle

 In 2000 a natural gas field was discovered in Israel’s offshore waters near Ashkelon, and amid great rejoicing commercial production started in 2004. An offshore rig can be seen from the coast, which doesn’t do much to improve the beauty of the scenery but certainly helps Israel’s energy-starved economy. Till then Israel relied on imported coal and oil to fuel its power stations, as well as on its only natural resource – ample sunshine – to heat water by means of solar panels on the roofs of houses. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

OpEd: Israel’s Energy Muddle Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East