Was Baruch Spinoza Wrong or Wholly or Partially Correct?

Since the average Jew and non-Jew in the seventeenth century believed in such things as the ever presence of God, a soul, the inerrancy of the Bible, faith rather than reason, the power of prayer, and the existence of helping angels, and since the Christians killed even their fellow religionists who rejected these notions, the Jewish officials excommunicated several Jews who held contrary views to protect the rest of the Jewish community from Christian outrage and death. One of these was Spinoza, who was excommunicated at age 24, in 1656. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Was Baruch Spinoza Wrong or Wholly or Partially Correct? Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Uncertainty Attends Israel’s New Government

There’s a new government, but . . . As we got closer to the Knesset decision on a new government, the tone of Bibi and his supporters became ever more aggressive. And disturbing. Commentators compared it to the actions of Donald Trump. Trump didn’t attend the ceremonial signing in of the Biden administration. Will Bibi avoid the start of the new government? [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

Uncertainty Attends Israel’s New Government Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

A Modern Look Into the Hebrew Bible

Tanakh, the all-inclusive Hebrew word for the Bible—Torah, Prophets, and Writings—holds many problems and puzzles: What does an infrequently used biblical Hebrew word actually mean? Does the Bible describe true historical fact, or just fantasy? What is the origin of particular prayers? Attorney and independent biblical researcher Mitchell First, in his newest book Links to Our Legacy, continues his mission to find lost meanings and correct inaccurate historical accountings. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

A Modern Look Into the Hebrew Bible Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

Biden congratulates incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Sunday offered incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett his “warm congratulations” in telephone talks, the White House said, after an alliance of parties ousted Benjamin Netanyahu and formed a new government. “I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair

Biden congratulates incoming Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett Read More »

USA

New Israeli government wins majority vote, ending Netanyahu tenure

Published by Reuters By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Benjamin Netanyahu’s record 12-year run as Israel’s prime minister ended on Sunday with parliament approving a new “government of change” led by nationalist Naftali Bennett, an improbable scenario few Israelis could have imagined. But the razor-thin 60-59 vote of confidence in a coalition of

New Israeli government wins majority vote, ending Netanyahu tenure Read More »

Middle East

Novel Imagines German-Jewish Relationships at Close of 19th Century

The book cover of ‘All Things That Deserrve to Perish’ gives a false impression of the contents..  While there are sexual situations that contribute to the outcome of the story, the major theme of this book is the toxic relationships between Jews and German Christians at the fin de siècle. [Donald H. Harrison]

Novel Imagines German-Jewish Relationships at Close of 19th Century Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

Israeli Company Promotes Moroccan Argan for Skin Care, Good Nutrition, and Women’s Empowerment

Since 2018, HAF has partnered with FRÉ Skincare. Founded by Michael Azoulay and Mickael Bensadoun, FRÉ Skincare is a skincare company that emphasizes giving back to the Moroccan community, specifically women. This is achieved through the planting of argan trees in Morocco, specifically in the Province of Essaouira. In essence, planting argan trees serves as the primary means of community building and increased women’s involvement in order to create brighter futures for the community. [Zuha Afzal]

Israeli Company Promotes Moroccan Argan for Skin Care, Good Nutrition, and Women’s Empowerment Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Lifestyles, Middle East, Travel and Food

Good News from Israel (June 13, 2021)

In the June 13, 3021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israel has now had several days with no new coronavirus cases.
–An Israeli eye-scanning device performs blood tests without blood.
–Israel was overwhelmingly voted onto the UN Economic and Social Council.
–Israelis use bacteria to keep crops fresh – in the ground and on the shelf.
–2021 investment in Israeli startups has already exceeded the total for all of 2020.
–Divers can explore Israel’s new unique underwater nature park
–Evidence that the land of Israel was an ancient trade center
[Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (June 13, 2021) Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

‘Intense’ Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress

Published by Reuters By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) -Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal resumed in Vienna on Saturday as the European Union said negotiations were “intense” and Germany called for rapid progress. The sixth round of talks began as usual with a meeting of remaining parties to

‘Intense’ Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress Read More »

International

Heart Disease Prevalent in Morocco

Heart disease is a prevalent chronic disease in Morocco and has been one of the leading causes of death over the last 10 years. Heart disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes, but people must be made aware of the steps they should take to effectively curb this health concern. As heart disease is interconnected with the way we care and love our bodies, it can be addressed and, ultimately, reduced through programs that empower women to become more in touch with their bodies. [Carlie Daniel]

Heart Disease Prevalent in Morocco Read More »

International, Science, Medicine, & Education

Novel Set in Warsaw Ghetto Has Verisimilitude

Normally, I am a bit wary of Holocaust fiction because I fear it will prompt Holocaust deniers to say, “See, it’s all made up.” But whether someone writes a novel or a rigorously footnoted history, that will be what the deniers say; no matter that the novel is clearly identified as a fictional work as indeed The Warsaw Orphan is so billed. [Donald H. Harrison]

Novel Set in Warsaw Ghetto Has Verisimilitude Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

A Word of Torah: Korach, Rebel with the Wrong Cause

This week’s Torah portion is titled Korach, who was known as a very bad person who came from wonderful stock. Korach was a rebel. He accused Moses and Aaron of nepotism. Korach was an expert at making populist pronouncements while in fact he was an elitist. Korach was insincere. Korach ridiculed the Torah and its number one expert, Moses. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A Word of Torah: Korach, Rebel with the Wrong Cause Read More »

Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

OpEd: Gender Studies Faculties Blindly Side with Hamas

Seeming to give proof to Orwell’s observation that some ideas are so stupid they could only have been thought of by intellectuals, yet another group of academics—this time faculty in some 120 Gender Studies departments—has, after the latest conflict in Gaza, followed the lead of various student governments, faculty, and other academic organizations by launching yet another attack in the cognitive war against Israel. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

OpEd: Gender Studies Faculties Blindly Side with Hamas Read More »

Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Fusing bluegrass with Judaism, Nefesh Mountain seeks to uplift during challenging times

By Howard Blas (June 10, 2021 / JNS) Thanks to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and the Torah, Mount Sinai is the best-known mountain in Jewish history. If the husband-and-wife bluegrass team of Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff continue their climb through the music world, their Nefesh Mountain band may be the next mountain the

Fusing bluegrass with Judaism, Nefesh Mountain seeks to uplift during challenging times Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts