With a number of fellow members of Hod Ve Hadar, the Masorti (Conservative in the US) synagogue that we belong to in Kfar Saba, we recently visited Mt. Gerizim, Har Bracha, and Shilo, all in the Biblical heartland of Samaria. [Steve Kramer]
Travels in Samaria Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
Many phrases are abbreviated and used in all spheres of Israeli life. Two random examples: drishat shalom, or sending regards, has been renamed “dosh,” and Namal Teufah Ben Gurion, or Ben Gurion Airport, is known as “Notbog.” [Gedaliah Borvick]
Israel ACOA (A Country of Acronyms) Read More »
Lifestyles, Middle East, Travel and Food
A scientific explanation for those battles over the air conditioning remote control: Researchers at Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology offer a new evolutionary explanation for the familiar scenario in which women bring a sweater into work, while their male counterparts feel comfortable wearing short sleeves in an air-conditioned office. The researchers concluded that this phenomenon is not unique to humans, with many male species of endotherms (birds and mammals) preferring a cooler temperature than the females. [Tel Aviv Unversity News Release]
Israeli Biologists: Males, Females Experience Temperatures Differently Read More »
Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
Do you sing zemirot at your Shabbos meals? Sadly, I see fewer and fewer people enjoying this wonderful tradition to enhance the Shabbat experience. One song in particular is linked to this week’s parasha, Noach. No, not Yah Ribbon and Mah Yedidot Menuhatekh, but Yom Shabbaton, “The dove found a place to rest on the Sabbath (Yonah Maz’ah Bo Manoah)” written by Yehudah Halevi, the great Spanish poet of the 12th century. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Reading for October 9, 2021 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Novelist and historian, Leo Tolstoy once said, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” This is born out in La Jolla Playhouse’s current production, The Garden. This two-woman show explores the complex relationship between a mother (Stephanie Berry) and her daughter (Charlayne Woodard). Woodard, a two-time Obie Award winner is also credited with writing the script. [Eva Trieger]
Mother-Daughter Conflict Plays Out in ‘The Garden’ Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
This is a novel about identities: those that are real and those that can be created. You need only think of yourself or your children to know about real identities. But what about created ones? There are those you might take on yourself — such as an actor does in assuming a new role — and there also are those that are imposed upon you. [Donald H. Harrison]
Novel Deals in Identities — Real, Imagined, and Imposed Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Published by BANG Showbiz English Tommy Dorfman has relished being at Paris Fashion Week as “myself”. The ’13 Reasons Why’ star, who came out as transgender in July, has “more of an affinity” with skirts and dresses and has loved trying on new designer pieces at various runway shows in the French capital. She said:
Tommy Dorfman loves being at Paris Fashion week as ‘myself’ Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Published by BANG Showbiz English Gwyneth Paltrow has launched a new female libido booster. The ‘Sliding Doors’ actress has taken to Instagram to promote her latest Goop product, a sexual health booster called DTF – an acronym for “down to f***” – and has promised the supplement will “really help” women. She wrote: “Everyday stress
Gwyneth Paltrow helps women boost libido Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Published by ScreenCrush Back when Seinfeld was the biggest show on broadcast television, Jerry Seinfeld garnered a reputation as an advertising wizard. His American Express commercials where he co-starred with Superman were hailed as great ads, or maybe even something more than that. They elevated the commercial to something like a work of art. His
Jerry Seinfeld Become a LEGO in One of the Weirdest Ads Ever Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Published by DPA A new exhibit at the memorial site for the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is set to shine a light on the role of Austrians in Nazi atrocities. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and several members of the Austrian government opened the new exhibit in Poland on Monday. It was Austria’s “will and
New Auschwitz exhibit acknowledges Austrian complicity in Nazi crimes Read More »
International
Published by Reuters By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Top U.S. officials will tell their Israeli counterparts on Tuesday that the Biden administration remains committed to diplomacy with Iran, but if necessary would be prepared to pursue “other avenues” to ensure Tehran does not acquire a nuclear weapon, a senior U.S. official
Biden aides to tell Israelis U.S. will pursue ‘other avenues’ if Iran diplomacy fails Read More »
Middle East
But these systems are not perfect, as they often present answers that come from flawed websites, or they misunderstand the core of the question. What answer did Siri give that was controversial in the Jewish community, leading to a correction by Apple? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Question: Siri Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Israel’s political leadership assembled at Mt. Herzl on Monday to observe the fifth anniversary of the death of Shimon Peres, who served twice as a prime minister and once as Israel’s president. They were joined by members of Peres’ family, who also delivered tributes. [Peres Peace Center}
Israeli Leadership Commemorates 5th Yahrzeit of Shimon Peres Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
Americans have reminded us that our closest friend still adheres to the notion of a Palestinian State, even though the President has indicated that it’ll take a lot of time to accomplish that goal. Where would it be? What would be its borders? What about Israelis living in East Jerusalem and in many parts of the West Bank? [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
What Would Be the Borders in a ‘Two-State’ Solution? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East