This essay covers: dream interpretations in ancient societies; search of ancient stories of seven good, then bad years; ancient evidence of an outsider rising to ‘vizier’ in Egypt; extensive famines. I have chosen three passage groups, for comparison, via the Internet, with writings attributed to ancient Israel’s neighbors. [Irv. Jacobs, MD]
Comparing Torah (Mikkets) with Ancient Practices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Hours after powerful Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell admitted President-elect Joe Biden won the election, President Donald Trump lashed out at his sometime GOP ally for throwing in the towel too early. “Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!” Trump tweeted early Wednesday morning. Trump shared an
’Too soon to give up’: Trump hits back at McConnell for admitting election defeat Read More »
USA
Israeli actress Gal Gadot was projected onto Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper on Tuesday to advertise her latest film in the Wonder Woman franchise. The Emirati promotion for soon-to-be released “Wonder Woman 1984” makes a marked contrast from the reception in the Middle East of Gadot’s previous appearance as the superhero. The first “Wonder Woman” film
Israeli actress Gal Gadot takes over Burj Khalifa as Wonder Woman Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Thanks to the friendship between Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee member, Michael Mark and San Diego’s Poet Laureate, Ron Salisbury — Salisbury has agreed to lead a workshop for ten poets on January 31, under the auspices of the committee, a program of the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
The first ten poets to sign up will fill the ten slots. There will be a nominal charge of $15 per participant. [Eileen Wingard]
San Diego’s Poet Laureate to Conduct LFJCC Workshop Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County
City Council President Dr. Jennifer Campbell solidified her control over City Council business by appointing herself and the four councilmembers who supported her for president against Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe to key committee positions. The five councilmembers who voted for her now are the exact same membership of the Rules Committee, which according to the City of San Diego’s website, has responsibility for the “charter, permanent rules of council, open government, elections and ballot measures, annexations, boards and commissions, council initiated matters, communications, customer service and public outreach.” Besides Campbell, who will chair the committee, other members include Raul Campillo, Stephen Whitburn, Marni von Wilpert, and Chris Cate. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jen Campbell solidifies her City Council control Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
A photo of Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia) next to a white supremacist at a campaign event on Friday spread on social media and caused her campaign team to respond. “Kelly had no idea who that was, and if she had she would have kicked him out immediately because we condemn in the most vociferous terms
GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler Takes Selfie With Former KKK Leader Chester Doles Read More »
Travel and Food
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan House and Senate oversight committees voted Tuesday to issue subpoenas to clerks in Livonia and Detroit as Republican lawmakers bolstered their push to investigate the Nov. 3 election. Under the subpoenas, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and Livonia City Clerk Susan Nash will have to produce a trove of documents
Michigan lawmakers issue subpoenas to Detroit, Livonia clerks Read More »
USA
San Francisco (AFP) – MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, said Tuesday she has given $4.2 billion to groups helping the vulnerable as the pandemic hits lives like “a wrecking ball.” Scott, who formerly went by the name MacKenzie Bezos, last year signed a “giving pledge” to donate the bulk of her
MacKenzie Scott gives $4.2 bn to help the ‘vulnerable’ Read More »
USA
DETROIT — President-elect Joe Biden has selected former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to be his energy secretary. The Washington-based news website Politico was among the first to report the story, which then appeared to be confirmed in a news release from U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who is a close friend of both
Biden selects former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to be his energy secretary Read More »
USA
US President Donald Trump continues to lead transactionally in his final weeks in office. Perhaps nothing illustrated this point more than Trump’s announcement that Morocco would become the fourth Arab state in 2020 to formalise diplomatic relations with Israel as part of a deal in which the US would recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
How Morocco-Israel normalisation could push Algeria closer to Russia Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Washington (AFP) – A Wall Street Journal opinion piece criticizing incoming first lady Jill Biden’s use of the title “Dr” because she holds a doctorate in education sciences, rather than a medical degree, has caused widespread outrage in the US, including from predecessor Michelle Obama. The Journal article, published Saturday, has been panned for its
Column slamming Jill Biden’s ‘Dr’ title sparks anger in US Read More »
Travel and Food
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday picked the next director of the Mossad spy agency, identified only as “D”, to replace Yossi Cohen, a high-profile player in recent normalisation deals with Arab states. Netanyahu “decided to appoint Deputy Mossad Director ‘D’ as the next Mossad Director. ‘D’ is an accomplished Mossad veteran,” a statement
Israel picks new head of Mossad spy agency Read More »
Middle East
Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and advisor, will visit Israel and Morocco next week to discuss the normalisation of ties between the two countries, a US official told AFP on Tuesday. The American delegation, headed by Kushner, will take the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Rabat, the source said. Kushner
Jared Kushner to lead US delegation to Israel and Morocco Read More »
Middle East, USA
President-elect Joe Biden has set his mind on nominating Pete Buttigieg to serve as his transportation secretary, three sources told the New York Daily News on Tuesday, making him the first 2020 rival to get a Cabinet nod from the soon-to-be president. The former South Bend, Indian., mayor, who dropped out of the 2020 Democratic
Biden picks ex-2020 rival Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary Read More »
USA