Book Review: ‘Rationalism versus Mysticism’

Many Jews would like to find an easy way to learn what Judaism teaches about various subjects. Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, an Orthodox rabbi, gives them this information in his fact-filled book Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Schisms in Traditional Jewish Thought, with quotes from many sources and many learned footnotes, all easy to read.[Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Book Review: ‘Rationalism versus Mysticism’ Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Worrisome Growth of Antisemitism in U.S.

Recently, Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America and former CEO of Hillel International, reported that a new level of antisemitic intensity has been reached. Whether antisemitic sentiment itself has increased or merely has just become more acceptable, he isn’t sure. Regardless, the reality of overt Jew-hatred in the US and Canada is being felt more intensely – to say the least. [Steve Kramer]

Worrisome Growth of Antisemitism in U.S. Read More »

Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Ice Cream That Leaves a Bad Taste in Our Mouths.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the news that Ben & Jerry’s announced they would not allow their ice cream to be sold in Judea & Samaria, what they called “occupied Palestinian territory,” there has been a grassroots backlash against this company. Both the Israeli TV and social media channels are reporting that Israelis are boycotting B&J’s ice cream. [Barry Shaw]

Ice Cream That Leaves a Bad Taste in Our Mouths. Read More »

Barry Shaw, Business & Finance, Middle East, USA

Plea Deal Will Keep Chabad of Poway Shooter Behind Bars for Life

ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) San Diego Regional Office welcomed Tuesday’s announcement by San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan that they have reached a plea deal with the accused Poway Chabad synagogue shooter, which will see the suspect spend the rest of his life behind bars. [Anti-Defamation League news release]

Plea Deal Will Keep Chabad of Poway Shooter Behind Bars for Life Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Short Story Focuses on IBM’s Business With the Nazis

Short story writer Clive Aaron Gill presents the discovery of the connection between IBM and the Holocaust in a pair of moral dilemmas, faced first by a grandfather and much later by his granddaughter Rebecca, whom we first meet as a school girl and later as a public relations executive for a charitable organization. [Donald H. Harrison]

Short Story Focuses on IBM’s Business With the Nazis Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Edwin Black, USA

Sub-Saharan African Migration into Morocco

Entering Morocco, Sub-Saharan African migrants find themselves at a crossroads. There is the promise of an economic future waiting for them in Europe, but the path to it is perilous. They require either an assurance of asylum status or some familial relationship with a European in order to enter into Europe without any problems. Unfortunately, many will have neither, forcing them into dangerous and irregular means of entry into Europe, or at times leading them to stay in Morocco. [Max Berengaut]

Sub-Saharan African Migration into Morocco Read More »

International

Journalists, activists ensnared in Israeli spyware scandal

Published by AFP Paris (AFP) – European politicians and media groups voiced outrage Monday over reports that an Israeli firm supplied phone malware used by governments to spy on activists, journalists, lawyers and politicians in several countries. The NSO Group and its Pegasus malware — capable of switching on a phone’s camera or microphone and

Journalists, activists ensnared in Israeli spyware scandal Read More »

Middle East

Ben & Jerry’s to end to ice cream sales in Palestinian territories

Published by New York Daily News Ben & Jerry’s announced Monday that it would stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, calling its business dealings in the region “inconsistent with our values.” The socially progressive ice cream giant did not elaborate on what exactly led to the decision, but the announcement ends the

Ben & Jerry’s to end to ice cream sales in Palestinian territories Read More »

Middle East

Juvenile Fiction: Elephant Helps a Boy Find God

El, the elephant, offers to help the boy find God.  So off they go, the boy on El’s back, and they see a flower and a meadow; feel the effects of the wind and the sun; and the coolness of river water.  The boy asks when they will find God, and El explains that the boy already had met God in the beauty of the flower; the peacefulness of the meadow; the strong winds; the warmth of the sun; and the life-giving, thirst-quenching water of the river. [Donald H. Harrison]

Juvenile Fiction: Elephant Helps a Boy Find God Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion

Hats, Horses, Humor Enliven Del Mar Racetrack’s Opening Day

If excitement had a color, the atmosphere of Del Mar Race Track would have been bright yellow Friday as the 82nd race season opened. The parking lot attendants greeted attendees with huge welcoming smiles and “Good luck!” despite having to stand in the steamy un-San Diego-like heat. Employees embraced and whooped hellos to each other in the stairwells and on the terraces. The vendors were downright chatty as they charged patrons the requisite $13.50 for a six-ounce pour of wine or draught of beer. Everyone’s delight at returning to in-person horseracing was palpable. [Eva Trieger]

Hats, Horses, Humor Enliven Del Mar Racetrack’s Opening Day Read More »

Travel and Food

Novel Portrays Catskill’s Post-Borscht Belt Era

This is an American Jewish novel about two families coming to terms with the fact that the fictional resort that best friends Benny Goldman and Amos Weingold founded in the Catskill Mountains has long passed its prime. The Golden Hotel no longer is booked to capacity, nor even near capacity, and the once famous Borscht Belt resort has quite obvious wear and tear to show its decline. [Donald H. Harrison]

Novel Portrays Catskill’s Post-Borscht Belt Era Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, USA