Is the delaying of the burial of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg by placing her in State for some days rather than burying her as soon as possible a violation of Orthodox Jewish law? A: It is not a violation. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Ginsburg lying in State does not violate burial Halachah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USA
The South African Jewish American Community, better known as SAJAC, has issued its annual magazine for 2020, reporting that San Diego State University Prof. David B. Cline is conducting oral history interviews with community members. The magazine’s writers also offer suggestions on coping with COVID19, and Alzheimer’s Disease, and additionally they profile young entrepreneurs, visual artists, and poets, among other articles. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”
Study underway of S.D.’s South African Jews Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, San Diego County
The Peres Center for Peace & Innovation on Tuesday hosted the first virtual ceremony of its kind, to commemorate the fourth anniversary since the passing of the Ninth President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres. Participants in the ceremony, attended by Peres’ three children — Tzvia, Yoni and Chemi — included Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair, Prince Hassan of Jordan, Nicolas Sarkozy, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, singer Barbara Streisand and actress and producer Sharon Stone. They were joined by more than 100,000 schoolchildren from across Israel, many at schools proudly named in Peres’ memory. {Press Release from the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation]
Fourth Yahrzeit for Shimon Peres Observed Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Yoni Peres
A particularly execrable record for radical anti-Israel, anti-Semitic campus activism is to be found at San Francisco State University, and specifically in the pseudo-academic machinations of Professor Rabab Abdulhadi, director of the school’s Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies (AMED) program. Abdulhadi, who, among other slurs, referred to Zionists as white nationalists during a 2019 UCLA lecture, is embroiled in controversy once again for the upcoming virtual speaking appearance, to be held tomorrow, September 23rd, by Leila Khaled, a terrorist in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, whose resume includes her role in the 1969 hijacking of an Israel-bound plane and her arrest the following year during a failed hijacking of an El Al flight. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]
A ‘Safe Space’ for Terrorists at San Francisco State Read More »
Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
President Trump has decided to replace the current “crusade against American history” by setting up the 1776 Commission to teach students “about the miracle of American history.” Historians from Fox News have leaked advance outlines of the lesson plans for the different eras in the American past. Here’s the one for the colonial period. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: The Happy History of the United States Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Released today on a variety of streaming services , Extra Innings is the story of a boy who was a very talented baseball player, whose Orthodox Jewish parents not only discouraged him from this pursuit, but also refused to attend any of his games. This was sad because the young man, modeled on writer/ director Albert Dabah’s own life, had natural talent, both as an outfielder and as a batter. [Movie review by Donald H. Harrison]
‘Extra Innings’ is not only a baseball story Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
When we first meet our two protagonists Janine, (Mouchette val Helsdingen) and Zoe (Deja Fields) in Janine’s office at an ‘elite university’ in the Northeast, Zoe is waiting for American History professor Janine to read over and correct her grammar and historical content of the first draft of her history thesis. Zoe is fine with the grammatical corrections but not so much with the corrections about her historical findings. (“I’m afraid you’re in for a substantial rewrite”) Her paper, “A Successful American revolution was only possible because of slavery.” Janine off handedly remarks it’s “one of the more imaginative ideas I’ve seen.” [Play Review by Carol Davis]
‘The Niceties’ in Black and White Read More »
Carol Davis, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
What is its future of Palestine? Who knows? Both the UAE and Bahrain have aligned themselves to Palestinian interests, but we can wonder how serious that is. European governments still adhere to a two-state solution, but how central are their concerns? American politicians also indicate their adherence to a two-state solution, but where does it sit in their various commitments? [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Whither Palestine? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
People are worried about jobs, rallies, protests and yes riots. The real question now: is it more important to open up the world than to live? Is it worth partying on the beach, drinking alcohol en masse at a bar or living for a future time? Young people are dying and many are killing their parents by bringing the virus in their homes. Wake up. It is your life. Do not take it for granted. And this advice applies to people of all faiths. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Let go and Let God Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
President Donald J. Trump on Sept. 19, the day of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, issued the following proclamation:
President Trump’s proclamation for Justice Ginsburg, z”l Read More »
Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, USABack to work following the two-day observance of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish organizations are paying tribute to the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died at age 87 just before the High Holy Day. Among the tributes were the following: [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]
RBG’s death prompts Jewish pride, sorrow Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Ray Frank was the great granddaughter of Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon, the renowned Gaon of Vilna. She actually organized the service that night in Spokane, Washington, as that community did not have a synagogue. She preached such a compelling message to the thousand attendees (Jews and non-Jews) about the importance of the Jewish community coming together and creating a congregation that a non-Jewish audience member stood up and offered the donation of a site for the Jewish community to build a synagogue. [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Ray Frank Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are truly portals to newness. I’ve heard “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” but God gives us that very gift during these holidays. We have a completely fresh opportunity to be the people we want to be. The Talmud illustrates that free will only exists in the present. We are judged where we stand at any given moment. On Rosh Hashana, we can establish a radical new direction, regardless of previous transgressions. This opportunity to become new again isn’t just semantics. Our cells are continuously regenerating. We know change is possible because we have changed as a result of our deepest experiences, both triumphant and traumatic. [Sam Glaser]
High Holidays: Why Are We Here? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Sam Glaser
Think about it, a reality where you need two breadwinners to sustain a family simply makes no sense. Both parents stay out most of the day, and by the time they get home they are exhausted and barely have energy to dedicate their attention to their children. And in families with only one breadwinner the situation is of course much worse, both because there is only one parent to raise the children, and because single parents often have to work two jobs just to provide for the basic needs of the family. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Family Life in a Changing Job Market Read More »
Lifestyles