JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Ori Hamo’s father, Kobi, was planning a big surprise. He flew from San Diego to Israel on February 5 to attend his lone-soldier son’s swearing-in ceremony at the Western Wall hours later. Ori joined the army in December. Ori and a group of soldiers were heading to the event in […]
Hadassah Hospital treats San Diegan wounded in terror attack Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, USA
GUTERSLOH, Germany (Press Release) — The 2020 Reinhard Mohn Prize on “Fostering Innovation. Unlocking Potential” is being awarded by the Bertelsmann Stiftung to Nechemia (“Chemi”) Peres, Chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. In bestowing the prize, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is recognizing Peres for his outstanding efforts to promote innovation that serves both
Chemi Peres, in father’s tradition, wins innovation award Read More »
Business & Finance, International, USA
It’s been a while since Bibi pressed Trump to release his Deal of the Century. As we’ve heard from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Jared Kushner, it’s more a vision than a concrete plan. Somewhere at its heart are several basic ideas, such as Israeli expansion and the creation of a Palestinian state. However, there is a lot of detail to work through, most likely by negotiations before anything major can occur. However, Bibi’s base, more than Bibi himself, has seized on the elements favorable to them and are urging unilateral Israeli expansion. Depending on who’s talking, it’s a formal acquisition of the Jordan Valley, Maale Adumim, Gush Etzion, Ariel, and other settlements. Bibi has wavered between encouraging this kind of talk, saying that he’d do it this week or next, and saying that he needs the support of the Americans to do it. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
‘Deal of Century’ prompts split in Israeli right wing Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
When arts supporter Mickey Stern died on July 1, 2016, she left an estate valued at more than $12.8 million, consisting of $9.5 million in cash and securities, a La Jolla condominium at 939 Coast Boulevard valued at $3.3 million, and about $40,000 in personal property. A battle over her will ensued, pitting Stern’s two children, Melanie and Robert Sturm, and her grandson Zane Zachary Sturm, against Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego. At issue was the question of what party or parties should pay the taxes after the bequests of the estate were distributed. If Congregation Beth Israel prevailed, it would have meant a windfall to the Reform congregation that was estimated in a Los Angeles Superior Court document at $2.2 million. [Donald H. Harrison]
Court rules in dispute over Mickey Stern’s will Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Many readers of the Bible have caged themselves like animals in a zoo and are afraid to step out of the cages they created for themselves; they fear to think beyond the ideas they heard from teachers when they were taught Bible as children. The following are some examples. Exodus begins in chapter 1, verse 5, by telling readers that seventy “souls” came to Egypt with the patriarch Jacob when they were invited to travel and live there. This seems like a simple verse with a simple statement. But besides the question why scripture omits the females from the count, there are at least two other significant problems. Thinking about them leads the thinker to question and better understand other parts of the Bible. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Thinking outside the literal meaning of the Bible Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
The patient entering the office of renowned psychiatrist Dr. Emmet Ghenausen was supposed to be anonymous, but his orange hair and gruff demeanor was a dead giveaway. Still, they agreed to refer to the patient by a pseudonym, in case their session was being secretly recorded. “So, Mr. Rump,” the therapist began. “What brings you here?” [Satire by Joel H. Cohen]
What the psychiatrist told an important visitor Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Notwithstanding Sunday’s rain, various celebrations in honor of Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees, were held throughout San Diego County, kicking off a week of observances of what some call “Jewish Arbor Day.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Tu B’Shevat celebrated throughout S.D. County Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Though she disapproved of Trump’s tactics in Ukraine, Susan Collins justified her vote against convicting Trump because “”she hoped that the president would’ve learned from the fact that he was impeached by the House.” To celebrate his acquittal, she threw rice as he entered the East Room. He quickly launched into his diatribe against his enemies because it turned out it was Minute Rice. [Satire by Laurie Baron]
Donald Trump unbound Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In this novel for young adults, two members of the “Bad Love Gang” slide down a ravine, find a tunnel, and discover the headquarters of another project that was even more hush-hush than the Manhattan Project. It was an ultra-secret effort to build a time machine that might change history in the event an atomic bomb couldn’t do the job. [Donald H. Harrison]
Novel: Time-traveling teens save Shoah victims Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and once Opposition Leader in the Knesset, met on Friday with small groups at Leichtag Commons, the San Diego Jewish Academy, and the Jewish Federation of San Diego, as part of his mission to build stronger bridges between Jews of Israel and the Diaspora. I caught up with him at the San Diego Jewish Academy, where he was welcomed by Charles Wax, the chairman of Waxie Sanitary Supply, who was the first president of the 40-year-old Academy, and also is a donor to JAFI’s “Wings” program which supports “Lone Soldiers” from abroad who are injured or wounded during their service with the Israel Defense Forces. [Donald H. Harrison]
JAFI’s Isaac Herzog brings unity message to SDJA Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
There is a new exhibit at the San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) that should appeal to many tastes as it is an innovative show that pairs artists and scientists together. What a brilliant idea to combine art and science together! The new installation, “Illumination,” paired 16 artists with seven scientific institutions, along with ten artists doing their own interpretation of science, nature, and technology. The curator of this show, Chi Essary, did a wonderful job pairing the artists with their scientific counterparts. [Mimi Pollack]
Scientists and artists collaborate in SDAI exhibit Read More »
Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyThink of my predictions as the Oscar version of Real Clear Politics. I compile the predictions made in key Hollywood trade publications to determine the likely winners. These reflect what insiders know about voting trends among members of the Academy. I list the favorite and the second most likely if the favorite loses. Since I have been doing this, my predictions have been right 90 % of the time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Oscar Predictions for 2020 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Humans enjoy seeing violence. To wit: boxing. In Roman times, Christians thrown to the lions was entertainment seen by over 50,000 people in the Colosseum. Gladiators fighting to the death in the same arena had audiences cheering. In the Middle Ages, public hangings drew crowds. Centuries later, it was beheadings by guillotine and the burning of witches that drew onlookers. What was considered entertainment in the past would be seen as horrendous today. [Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D]
Human responses to seeing violence, destruction Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, San Diego County
To the surprise and gratification of organizers, a crowd numbering in the thousands snaked around the Timken Museum on Thursday, Feb. 6, in order to see what was planned to be a one-day exhibition on Anne Frank sponsored by the Consulate-General of the Netherlands and the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. At an evening reception, officials of the gallery announced that the exhibit, which has been touring schools around the country, would be extended through Saturday before it has to be packed up and shipped to its next destination. [Donald H. Harrison]
Crowds queue for Anne Frank exhibit Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA