US Congress fails to agree to boost stimulus checks

Washington (AFP) – Republicans on Thursday blocked an effort to amend the hard-won pandemic relief package to more than triple direct payments to struggling Americans, something demanded by President Donald Trump. After months of partisan bickering, legislators late Monday finally approved a $900 billion stimulus package to help families and businesses struggling to survive the […]

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USA

US opens ‘virtual’ presence in Western Sahara ahead of consulate

Washington (AFP) – The United States will open a “virtual” diplomatic post in Western Sahara ahead of a consulate, the State Department said Thursday, after recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory earlier this month. Announcement of the virtual presence follows US President Donald Trump’s surprise declaration in early December supporting Morocco’s control of the

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International, USA

A Word of Torah: Diplomacy?

This week’s portion is titled VaYigash, which translates as “And He Approached.” Contextually this portion takes place after Benjamin is accused of having stolen the chalice of Joseph. Of course we know the truth – the chalice had been planted in Benjamin’s sack on Joseph’s orders. Joseph had purposely framed his brother (who did not yet realize that the Viceroy of Egypt was actually his older, full-brother) as a way of testing his older half-brothers. He had to ascertain if they had changed their ways and if they had repented for their betrayal of him some 20+ years previously. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Rep. Davis, Sara Jacobs visit Jackie’s Jams

Other items in today’s column include: *Shirley Weber says she will run for election when term as Secretary of State is up *ADL Center on Extremism Links Proud Boys to AntiSemitism *Tijuana, San Diego Mayors Pledge Cooperation, Urge People to Stay Home During Pandemic *National Security Awards Conferred Upon Americans Who Aided the Abraham Accords

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Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Satire: ‘You’ll Never Heed the Law Again’

Tune: I’ll Never Fall in Love Again

What must you do to get a pardon?
It’s not required that you’ve repented.
Or that your lying has not relented.                                                                                                                    
Don’t ever heed the law again! 
Don’t ever heed the law again!         (Laurie Baron, Ph.D)                                                                                                  

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Religious Freedom and Azerbaijan’s Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh

When former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni sent birthday wishes on December 23 to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, she praised Aliyev for leading Azerbaijan “through national and international challenges.” Given the recent events in Eurasia’s South Caucasus region, Livni’s words carry far more than ceremonial meaning. [Jacob Kamaras]

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International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Comparing Torah (Va-Yiggash) with Ancient Practices

This parasha covers Judah’s emotional soliloquy appeal to the Vizier (Joseph) to not enslave Benjamin, which would threaten their father’s death; Joseph’s emotional breakdown, and revelation of himself to his brothers; the brothers’ generously supplied trip back to Canaan to bring their father Jacob; an enumeration of the Jacob family of 70 persons; settlement of the family in Goshen of the eastern Nile delta, as skillful herdsmen; Jacob’s introduction to the Pharaoh; finally an enumeration of Joseph’s shrewd management of the famine, resulting in the Pharaoh’s ownership of the entire Egypt farmland mass, and its citizens as sharecroppers. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

‘Jewish nation-state law’ challenged in Israeli Supreme Court

The Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a case against a contentious law that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people, marking the beginning of a landmark challenge against legislation that opponents say discriminates against minorities. Critics say the law further downgrades the status of Israel’s Arab minority, which makes up around

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Middle East