There has never been a sovereign state called Palestine. There may well become such a nation that includes Israel’s territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Many of us hope there will be a sovereign state called Palestine or whatever name its people want to attach to it. But not yet. [Bruce S. Ticker}
NY Times Refers to ‘Palestine’ as a Country Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
The editor of one of the papers where I write regular op-eds requested more information on my message that if Jews are not united, they bring on themselves antisemitism. Specifically, he wanted to know my sources for making this argument so insistently. He is correct; people need to know where ideas come from, especially ones that are hard to swallow. Therefore, I have decided to write a series of articles that explain where Jews come from and why they have always been hated, with a few brief exceptions that also didn’t end well. [Michael Laitman]
On Jewish Unity and Antisemitism Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
A review committee in London will consider a proposed historical plaque honoring a virtually forgotten Holocaust rescuer, Marie Schmolka, who was instrumental in organizing the Kindertransport. [Jerry Klinger]
Drive to Honor Holocaust Rescuer Marie Schmolka Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East
A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew enter a bar. The bartender asks, “Is this a joke?” That’s how I feel after reading a recent Reuters article (3/4/21) entitled, “West scraps plan for IAEA rebuke of Iran.” Evidently Britain, France and Germany scrapped their plan, backed by the US, criticizing Iran for its many, serious actions regarding its nuclear activity. This must mean that the three European countries believe that they will be more successful in reining in Iran by being nice and continuing negotiations than by showing diplomatic strength. [Steve Kramer]
Europeans spineless about confronting Iran Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
Just how much is $1.9 trillion, and what can be done with that much money? Well, on Friday, just to cover the basics of the American Rescue Plan that they all voted for. it took speeches by four Democratic members of Congress who represent San Diego County. Another eight speakers amplified on various aspects of the landmark legislation. [Donald H. Harrison]
4 S.D. Congressmembers extol $1.9T American Rescue Plan Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
With a new administration in America have come many new changes. One that is causing a lot of controversy is the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Particularly, there has been a lot of backlash from biologically born females who say that competing against biologically born males (regardless of how said persons identity) is unfair. Even after transitioning, male bodies still retain advantages of muscle mass, bone density, and testosterone levels [1]. [Teresa Konopka]
Facing Reality – Who Really Designed You? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka
The late Dr. Howard Rubenstein’s translation of the famed Greek playwright Aeschylus’ play Agamemnon is a brilliant work. It is the first modern, very readable, very interesting and educational translation of an important classic with a wealth of explanatory information. The problem with former translations is that its English is outdated, stilted, and often hard to understand. Dr. Rubenstein’s version was performed in 1997 in California and in 2002 in Florida with high acclaim. The work is so good that it should become part of the literature courses in upper high school grades and in colleges. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Rubenstein’s ‘Agamemnon’ wins posthumous plaudits Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Theatre, Film & Broadcast
At last! After a year of living in a cultural desert, the ban on public performances in Israel has finally been lifted. And last night when we were able at last to attend a real live concert. The requirements were clear: anyone who had bought tickets had to provide proof of having been vaccinated twice, as well as a certificate of identity. The seating arrangements were equally stringent, with an empty seat between anyone not from the same household (very handy as a place to put one’s coat). [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Public performances again allowed in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Slingshot, an organization that engages young Jewish philanthropists to make lasting impact, has announced its 2021 “10 to Watch” list that highlights young organizations and projects in North America that are responding to current and timely needs in the Jewish community and beyond. Nicole Nevarez, national director of the San Diego-based Ta’amod: Stand Up! commented that her organization is proud to be included, along with nine other up-and-coming initiatives.[Press Release from Ta’amod: Stand Up!}
Slingshot Names 10 Organizations to Watch Read More »
Travel and Food
The Cohanim (priestly class) were given a very strict commandment to wash their hands and feet using the laver before entering the Holy Temple to do their service. The implement that they used to wash was called the Kiyor, and it was made of copper. The commentaries mention the source of the copper used, which in and of itself is interesting, as only a couple of the sources for the materials used in construction are traced back to their origins. This indicates that there is something significant in the source of the material In the case of the Kiyor the source, we are told, was the mirrors used by the Jewish women to beautify themselves during the times of the Egyptian slavery. The men would return from a day of back-breaking labor in the fields. They were physically and emotionally exhausted. These selfsame people had seen their babies murdered. Marital intimacy was the last thing on their minds. In fact, they were reticent to have any more children at all, lest they too become victimized by the evil tyrants. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
t has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. This is especially true concerning the wishful thinking in the moral divide of international affairs. One month into his administration, President Joe Biden’s foreign policy team is about to embark on a measure of what is pure political insanity by rejoining the United Nations Human Rights Council—a decision that contradicts everything that the United States is supposed to stand for. [Nitsana Darshan-Leibner]
U.S. Rejoining U.N. Human Rights Council is Insanity Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Tragically, the entire international community has failed miserably to muster the moral courage to end the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Syria’s civil war. Is it any wonder that such atrocities are happening time and again? The ten-year old civil war in Syria has gone far beyond tragic mass devastation. The body and soul of two Syrian generations have been crushed. Their hopes and dreams have been shattered. Their dignity and pride were robbed. Millions of refugees and internally displaced persons were left in utter despair, hoping to wake up each morning from a nightmare only to realize that a nightmarish life is their lot. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis: Stigma on the World’s Conscience Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle EastThe city of Lowell, Massachusetts., did it right confronting anti-Semitism. It was not so right when Manhattan dealt with distortions on Israel. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Lowell, Mass., Knows Better Than NYC How to Respond to Antisemitism Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA