Blue Plaque of Sir Arnold Wesker Underscores Jewish Contributions to British Life

By Jerry Klinger LONDON — The simple blue and white rectangular historical plaque for Sir Arnold Wesker located at a Hackney (London) school evokes a familiar identity in London. The plaque, though different in design, is easily associated with the famous (and mostly circular) Blue and White Plaque program run by English Heritage found throughout

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International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History

Rethinking Cain’s Famed Remark, ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’

The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama by Rabbi Dr. Dan Ornstein; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society; © 2021; ISBN: 0827614675; 232 pages; $20.93. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Dan Ornstein’s excellent book, The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama, reminded me of something I once did with

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Teva Pharmaceuticals

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — The American division of the Israeli company Teva Pharmaceuticals was found liable in a lawsuit alleging responsibility for aspects of the opioid crisis in this country. “Teva Pharmaceuticals USA…misled the American people about the true dangers of opioids,” said New York’s attorney general Letitia James. In 1901 Chaim Salomon,

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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Keep it Simple, Stupid

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Keep it simple, stupid. It’s meant to facilitate administration. Too many rules, frequent changes, confuse both the populis and those meant to enforce the rules. KISS doesn’t prevail here, now. Or perhaps ever. There’s one rule for school rooms. If less than 70 percent of the kids have been

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Schlepping and Schmoozing along the Interstate 5: Tijuana in the Rear View Mirror

Before we embark on this American journey, let us not forget that there is Jewish life in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, that is well worth remembering. In brief, we can find it at the Centro Social Israelita, the Congregaçion Hebraica de Baja California, and in the Jewish-owned department stores and shops along Avenida de la Revoluçion. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Who’s Responsible for the Evil in the World?

One of the interesting points that Maimonides and Philo of Alexandria agree on in this week’s Torah portion is the role of human freedom and responsibility.  Philo routinely pointed out that God is never the source of moral evil in the world—human beings are, and they alone must be responsible for the moral condition of society—whether it be good or bad, harmonious or chaotic. This idea is also one of ancient Stoicism’s greatest moral teachings. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

California high school students disciplined over swastika photos, superintendent says

Published by The Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The superintendent of a rural Northern California high school said a group of students seen posing in a photo with swastikas and other Nazi symbols drawn on their bodies have been disciplined, but that specific details cannot be shared for legal reasons. The administrator also said she

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USA

Paul Finebaum Sums Up What Makes Alabama Football So Great

Published by The Spun By Hunter Hodies Alabama is gunning for its second-straight National Championship after beating Ohio State last year. First up for this year, the Crimson Tide get the Cincinnati Bearcats as the latter went undefeated in the AAC this season. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum appeared on the SEC Network and touched on what

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Jewish Celebrities, Sports & Competitions

Following Criticism by Simon Wiesenthal Center, USC Condemns Antisemitism

After the University of Southern California was included in the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Global Anti-Semitism 2021 Top Ten list, the school responded on Wednesday by condemning both anti-Semitism in all its forms and the threatening tweets by a student leader that led to the distinction. [JNS.org]

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Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA