Virgin Atlantic, Branson’s commercial airline company, began flying from London to Tel Aviv in 2019. What steps did Branson take to promote the success of the Virgin flights to and from Israel? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Richard Branson Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Most Jews who read the book do so like they daven (read) the prayers, in a rush, with no intent of trying to understand what they are reading. I once saw a bearded synagogue rabbi fire a very nice highly intelligent un-bearded man because he was not pious enough by the rabbi’s standard to read the book from the Writing to the congregation, and had a bearded man recite the book from the pulpit. While the un-bearded man read the book for the congregation at a fair pace, the bearded man rushed through it as he sped through his prayers. Both the reader and the rabbi failed to understand why Jews were advised by their ancestors to read the Tanakh, including the book of Lamentations. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Proper Way to Read Lamentations Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Some members of the Likud party, those who say they want to head the party “after Bibi steps down,” are showing signs of insurrection. In the June 20 Jerusalem Post, veteran political columnist Gil Hoffman wrote, “In public, Likud MK and former health minister and head of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, has kept fairly quiet regarding his decision to run in the next Likud Party primary. In private, however, he has told other high ranking Likud members that he intends on winning [the next Likud primary] and didn’t spare any harsh words for his party leader and former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ….” [Steve Kramer]
Netanyahu’s Support Waning Among Likud Colleagues Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
For years, Avigdor Lieberman has been calling for a limitation of what the Haredim have demanded, and received. He’s called for a liberalization of marriage laws, allowing the joining of those not Jewish according to Orthodox Rabbis, with those who are Jews. Or the union of two people who can’t satisfy the demands of the Orthodox, who insist on those born of a mother who can prove that she was born of a Jewish mother [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
‘Russians’ vs. the Haredim in Israel’s Latest Political Battle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East
What is the message conveyed by the representation of plants in religious text? What do the images that these references bring to our minds tell us about a people and a society? These are questions posed by award-winning artist and author Gloria Abella Ballen, whose book Garden of Eden: Plants of the Hebrew Bible was the subject of a recent webinar sponsored by the American Sephardic Federation. [Ellen Hernandez]
The Importance of Plants in Religious Art Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
More than 3,000 people from across the country gathered near the U.S. Capitol on Sunday to stand in solidarity against the rising tide of antisemitism across the U.S. No Fear: A Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People was organized by more than 100 Jewish and interfaith organizations from across the political and religious spectrum, under the leadership of Elisha Wiesel, business executive and son of Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. [NoFearRally news release]
Bipartisan Rally Denounces Antisemitism Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
In 2009, Enrique Morones, then the leader of Border Angels, was presented by Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon with an award conferred by the Human Rights Commission of Mexico. The impressive ceremony in Mexico City honored Morones’ decades of work protecting undocumented migrants who brave harsh terrain and insufferable temperatures to seek new lives in the United States. In an acceptance speech, Morones urged Mexicans not to come to the United States, telling them that they were needed to build their own nation. ‘We are Mexicans, and Mexico’s future is here in Mexico, not America,” he pleaded. “Mexicans, do not go.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Shapers of the Immigration Debate: Enrique Morones Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, USA
Published by Reuters By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel said on Sunday it will begin offering a third dose of Pfizer Inc’s vaccine to adults with weak immune systems but it was still weighing whether to make the booster available to the general public. The rapid spread of the Delta variant has sent vaccination rates
Israel offers third shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adults at risk Read More »
Middle East
Published by Reuters By Peter Szekely (Reuters) -The death toll in the collapse of a Miami-area condominium rose to 90 on Sunday from 86, as crews continued their grim search for human remains in the building’s wreckage, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said. Another 31 people were still “potentially unaccounted for,” Levine Cava said
Florida condominium collapse death toll rises to 90, with 31 missing Read More »
USA
Published by AFP Los Angeles (AFP) – New Disney superhero film “Black Widow” took in an estimated $80 million in North America this three-day weekend, a pandemic-era record as the Marvel Universe showed continuing lure, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The movie, starring Scarlett Johansson as the cat-suited superspy, took in an additional $60
‘Black Widow’ spins new Covid-era box office record Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Family, colleagues, and staff at Father Joe’s Villages were saddened to announce the passing of Father Joe Carroll who died early morning Sunday, July 11. The President Emeritus of Father Joe’s Villages was 80. [News Release from Father Joe’s Villages]
Father Joe Carroll, Homeless Advocate, 80 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA
Virgin Galactic succeeded in launching its owner Richard Branson into a sub-orbit to demonstrate the potential for future space tourism. Immediately thereafter, many corporations filed papers to open businesses in space to serve the anticipated spate of rich people who already consider themselves out of this world and plan to flaunt their space vacations at cocktail parties. You can expect to see these advertisements for the following enterprises soon. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Space Loses Its Virginity Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
-In the July 11, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israeli breakthroughs in transplantation and medical device technology.
–Israel provides running water to Tanzanians and Native Americans.
–Israel’s Technion is Europe’s top institute for Artificial Intelligence.
–Israel has begun producing pure water from the Jordan River.
–A face-recognition tech startup is Israel’s latest $1 billion company.
I–sraelis won medals at informatics and acrobatics.
–Stunning discoveries revealed during excavations in Jerusalem.
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (July 11, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z”l, husband of Marcie Merel, z”l, passed away Saturday morning, July 10. He leaves behind children Joshua (Pamela), Daniel and Judith, and grandchildren Jessica (Shaun Miller), Jesse and Emily, and great-granchildren Benjamin and Elon. [Congregation Beth Israel news release]
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, 97 Read More »
Travel and Food