Trump is on trial, whether he concedes it or not. Bibi’s immunity is waiting confirmation or denial in the Knesset. Chances are that it’ll be denied if it gets to a vote. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Speculation rife over Trump’s deal, Bibi’s immunity Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
“Hear-ye, hear-ye, the polls are now open.” These seven words are one of the foundations of our democracy. In October 2016 I heard a public service announcement on KPBS Midday Edition asking for volunteers to become a poll worker for the 2016 Presidential Election. Little did I know that it would be the start of an incredibly important, interesting, and fulfilling journey. [Ron Marx]
How you can help keep democracy strong Read More »
San Diego County, USA
Anti-semitism? City Councilwoman Barbara Bry blames President Donald Trump. City Councilman Scott Sherman points his finger at the Internet. And Tasha Williamson says it’s the fault of domestic terrorists, who ought to be prosecuted with the same tenacity as are terrorists from foreign countries. The three candidates made their comments Sunday night at a forum at Temple Emanu-El skipped by Assemblyman Todd Gloria, who polls show to be the frontrunner in their race to be San Diego’s next mayor. [Donald H. Harrison]
Mayoral candidates discuss anti-Semitism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
The film 1945 and the play The Class give new meaning to the phrase “bad neighbor.” These very relevant works of performance art were among those highlighted at the 5th Kisufim (Hebrew for “longings”) conference held at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem, in November. This year’s topic was: “Writing, Memory and Vision” and it was produced in partnership with the Zalman Shazar Center, the Hebrew Writers Association, and the Matanel Foundation, among others. [Toby Klein Greenwald]
Movie, play offer gripping Holocaust stories Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald
When most people unfamiliar with the custom see silverware that seems to be growing out of the soil in a Jewish person’s yard or flower pot. They’ll probably listen to the explanation, accept or reject the premise, and move on. [Satire by Joel H. Cohen]
Trump and the silverware garden Read More »
Joel H. Cohen
Lawyer and professor Alan Dershowitz has spent much of his career defending controversial figures, including O. J. Simpson, Claus von Bülow, Patty Hearst, Mike Tyson, Leona Helmsley, Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and now Donald Trump. He has also been a staunch defender of Israel and advocate for Jewish causes. Professor Dershowitz was scheduled to participate in a mock trial; however, the hosts canceled the event. What were the circumstances? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Alan Dershowitz Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
After seeing so many Jews say such horrible things about him, I decided to look further into Trump’s background to learn more about his feelings toward the Jews. This is what I learned: [Dan Feinreich]
Trump family has long record of supporting Jewish causes Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USA
We have to wait until President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan is unveiled to discuss it; those already discussing are likely to be wrong. But it is worth reviewing where Israelis, Palestinians, Arab states, and Americans have been — and why this time may be different. The central flaw in the “Palestinian-Israeli peace process” has never been addressed. There has not been — and there is not now — a shared goal toward which Israelis and Palestinians can be induced to work. Instead, each side has three specific and irreconcilable objectives. [Shoshana Bryen]
What Mideast parties want ahead of a peace proposal Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
Their patter and body language have an expressive musicality that’s really fun to watch and listen to. They enjoy the playful camaraderie of old friends who don’t need to be polite. Raised in the Black church, their patter is peppered with Biblical allusions such as the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, the stolen birthright of Esau and Daniel in the Lions’ Den. [Eric George Tauber]
‘Jitney’ evokes laughter, suspense Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The campaign to re-elect the prime minister of Israel and his supporters in the Knesset on March 2 has gone global. Seemingly worried about the outcome, Netanyahu has engaged world leaders to bolster his candidacy. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
With friends like Putin and Trump … Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
As Yoav Talmi continues to receive accolades for his guest conducting throughout the world and his inspiring teaching at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Tel Aviv University, the internationally acclaimed maestro is also garnering increased recognition as a world class composer. His recent CD, Yoav Talmi COMPOSITIONS, released by the Israel Music Institute and produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, contains three of his large compositions, De Profundis, a four movement work for mixed choir and orchestra; Animi Motus, a four movement work for orchestra with children’s or women’s choir; and Elegy for strings, timpani and accordion (Dachau Reflections). [Eileen Wingard]
Conductor Yoav Talmi a classical composer Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Only a few moments after her audience had sat in stunned silence hearing about how the mother of Fanny Krasner Lebovits sacrificed her life so her youngest child should not have to go alone to her death, a cell phone tinkled from somewhere in the front of the audience. [Donald H. Harrison]
Crying and laughing with a Holocaust survivor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyThe European Union is a group of countries which seemingly have a collective hatred of Israel, and by extension, the Israelis – 75% of whom are Jewish. (What else do we expect from the continent that brought us the Holocaust?) Not every country in the EU is vehement about their distaste for our Jewish country, but their collective decisions, by consensus, are testament to it. I love Brexit because it weakens the EU and will probably lead to a further lessening of its power. Thankfully, Boris Johnson soundly defeated Jeremy Corbyn in the latest UK elections, enabling the EU to begin leaving the EU imminently. [Steve Kramer]
Just the other day, I received an email from Jean Klugman in Boston that read: ”Hello Dan. My cousin Heather Siegel just sent me a copy of the article you wrote nine years ago, in 2011, in the San Diego Jewish World about a Jewish Boston man who served as Martin Luther King’s German-language tutor at Boston University when MLK was studying for his PhD exam in the 1950s.” In my article for this online newspaper in 2011, I was not able to give the name of the man I was writing about, since I did not know his name and saw no way I would ever find out. But Jean solved the mystery. [Dan Bloom]
Jewish emigre from Nazi Germany was MLK’s tutor Read More »
Jewish History, USA