Censorship a Hallmark of the ‘Woke’ Society

I must confess. I am a sci-fi fan. One of my favorite films of all time is the Matrix series. People like me cannot help but feel excited that Matrix 4 will soon be coming out. When I first saw a Matrix film, it made me think about Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.[1] In my younger years, I wondered whether this world is a simulation–God’s video game, as it were. But now, my appreciation for the film has morphed into something more political. Now I think the Matrix offers a remarkable lesson about today’s political reality. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Censorship a Hallmark of the ‘Woke’ Society Read More »

International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israeli commander describes harrowing Florida condo rescue operation

Published by Reuters By Gabriella Borter and Arlene Eiras SURFSIDE, Fla. (Reuters) – Colonel Golan Vach, head of a unit of the Israel Defense Forces that specializes in search and rescue operations, had never seen a disaster zone like the crumbled condo building in Surfside, Florida, in his more than 20 years of military experience.

Israeli commander describes harrowing Florida condo rescue operation Read More »

Middle East, USA

Inaugurating embassy in UAE, Israel tells region: ‘We’re here to stay’

Published by Reuters By Lisa Barrington DUBAI (Reuters) -Israel’s new foreign minister inaugurated its embassy in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and offered an olive branch to other former adversaries, saying: “We’re here to stay.” Yair Lapid’s two-day visit, in which he will open an Israeli consulate in Dubai on Wednesday, is the first

Inaugurating embassy in UAE, Israel tells region: ‘We’re here to stay’ Read More »

Middle East

‘A wall of dust hit me.’ Lawsuit details Surfside condo collapse survivor’s harrowing tale

Published by Miami Herald SURFSIDE, Fla. — Raysa Rodriguez, a retired postal worker, lived in Unit 907 of Champlain Towers South for 17 years. She was a few payments away from paying off her mortgage. But the dream retirement ended in the middle of the night, when a giant rumble shook her from her sleep.

‘A wall of dust hit me.’ Lawsuit details Surfside condo collapse survivor’s harrowing tale Read More »

USA

Biden to visit Florida condo collapse site as hope dims for rescue

Published by AFP Surfside (United States) (AFP) – US President Joe Biden will visit the site of a deadly apartment building collapse in southern Florida later this week, the White House announced Tuesday, as rescuers scoured the wreckage in an increasingly desperate search for survivors. A 12-story oceanfront condominium in Surfside, a neighborhood near Miami, pancaked into

Biden to visit Florida condo collapse site as hope dims for rescue Read More »

USA

A Drumbeat of Antisemitism in San Diego, Across the U.S.

Near the San Diego State University campus, in San Diego’s daily newspaper, in speeches by members of Congress, and in an apology forced upon a children’s book executive for speaking out against antisemitism, the drumbeat of hatred against our fellow Jews grows increasingly persistent. [Donald H. Harrison]

A Drumbeat of Antisemitism in San Diego, Across the U.S. Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Yoni Netanyahu Proved Himself a Hero Before Entebbe

It is not widely known that Yoni Netanyahu was a hero long before he commanded the Entebbe operation. He played a key role in many other crucial Israeli security operations exhibiting courage and valor in the most dangerous of circumstances. He was a living example to the world’s statesman that terrorism can be beaten – if the nations of the world have the will to fight back. [Moshe Phillips]

Yoni Netanyahu Proved Himself a Hero Before Entebbe Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Middle East

Former Israelis PMs Family Members Reflect on Entebbe Anniversary

On the 45th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, this morning, (Tuesday) the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation held a moving and insightful meeting revealing testimonies never before heard, from the behind the scenes of one of the most ingenious and daring rescue operations the world has ever known, overseen at the time by then Defense Minister, Shimon Peres. [Peres Center Press Release)

Former Israelis PMs Family Members Reflect on Entebbe Anniversary Read More »

International, Jewish History, Middle East

Short Story: A Memorable Spaghetti Dinner

I was sitting at a table in a small unprepossessing Italian restaurant in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. Being an insecure type, I sat with my back to the wall, as usual, when three nattily dressed gentlemen of Italian appearance entered and approached me. “This table is our table. . .” the nattiest of them said to me softly and not impolitely. Maybe because of the gangster movies I had seen, I considered it best not to dispute the fact. If I were younger, I would have yielded with a humorous face-saving remark, such as “I thought tables were fungible.” If I were much younger, maybe even argued a bit, and perhaps I would have remained much younger for eternity. But fortunately I was not so young and life had taught me a certain prudence.  “No problem,” I said. “I’ll sit somewhere else.” I reached a hand toward a plate of spaghetti and meatballs that had arrived immediately before the three gentlemen – to take it to a table less in demand.  [Larry Lefkowitz]

Short Story: A Memorable Spaghetti Dinner Read More »

Jewish Fiction

Torah Reading for July 3, 2021

Know anyone who’s never faced frustration or adversity, or who’s realized all his or her dreams? Not even Moshe, this week’s parasha teaches us, can claim that he’s lived that life. Before Moshe faces his end, he surmounts his own disappointments and pain and focuses on insuring that he will leave a successor. Hashem showed Moses the Land of Israel and told him that he wouldn’t be allowed to bring the Jewish people into the Land. Moses immediately said: “May … God … appoint a man over the assembly, who shall go out before them … and let the assembly … not be like sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:16-17) Moses places his hands on Joshua, announcing him to be the next leader. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Torah Reading for July 3, 2021 Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell