Even though it is battered and bruised, Israeli democracy is alive. Its institutions – even those under attack by this government, such as the media, the police, the entire justice system – are holding their ground and doing their jobs. [Daniel Sokatch]
Netanyahu indictment: A win for democracy Read More »
Middle East
The long-anticipated indictment of Prime Minister Netanyahu has finally come to pass today (Thursday, Nov. 21). For three years, Netanyahu spared no effort to scuttle three criminal cases against him, but failed. These charges and their implications have now become rather clear. They have occupied Netanyahu’s thinking as to how to save himself and maintain his position as Prime Minister. They have impacted Israel’s policies, in particular toward the Palestinians, and without a doubt the charges have adversely impacted Netanyahu’s efforts to form a government following the last two elections. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
The political cost Netanyahu inflicted on Israel Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East
Cellist Alisa Wallerstein’s dramatic, passionate playing was well-suited to the demands of Ernest Bloch’s grandiloquent Hebraic Rhapsody for cello and orchestra, Schelomo. In his musical attempt to present a portrait of the Biblical monarch, Bloch strives to reflect “the Jewish soul, the complex, glowing, agitated soul, that I feel vibrating throughout the Bible.” [story by Eileen Wingard]
The emotion of Bloch’s ‘Schelomo’ Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Vice President Henry Wallace, an eye-witness to the event, recorded in his diary that when President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill met in mid-1943, Churchill raised the “Jewish question” to which Roosevelt replied the Jews should be spread as thinly as possible all over the world, noting that he tried this method where he lived—Meriwether County, Georgia and Hyde Park, New York and his neighbors appreciated it. This anecdote encapsulates the mindset of Franklin Roosevelt. [Fred Reiss, EdD]
Historian tells of FDR’s anti-Semitism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish History, USA
Kate Schwartz is one of those candidates whose optimism and pluck you have to admire, whether you favor her Democratic candidacy in the 75th Assembly District or not. [Donald H. Harrison]
Kate Schwartz fights the odds in 75th AD Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions
There’s, therefore, a case for dropping charges against him on the understanding that, having just celebrated his 70th birthday, it’s time for him to retire and make money on the American lecture circuit. His friend Professor Alan Dershowitz, the distinguished jurist famous for having defended dubious characters in the United States, has argued that, from a legal point of view, Netanyahu hasn’t done anything wrong, implying that the prime minister’s contention that the police and the judiciary are after him may be justified. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Drop Netanyahu prosecution if he resigns Read More »
Middle East
This parsha opens with the death of Sarah in Hebron. It is followed by Abraham’s negotiation with the shrewd Hittite landowner Ephron to purchase the cave of Machpelah as the burial site for her and subsequently the patriarchs and other matriarchs. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Sarah’s and other ancient death rituals Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts were among Democratic presidential candidates to chime in, and both predictably misrepresented the situation after a cease-fire was declared. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Sanders, Warren misrepresent Gaza situation Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
President Trump unexpectedly underwent a physical this Saturday. Although Trump tweeted that this was a routine visit, the Fake News speculated that he had a medical emergency. Today his diagnosis appeared on Sikileaks. [Satire by Lawrence Baron, PhD]
What really ails President Trump? Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
For the second year in a row, San Diego Jewish Academy has been expanding its student base by cutting the cost of tuition. In what is described as its “Open Door” policy, the school offers half-priced tuition – between $10,000 and $15,000 per year—for kindergarten and ninth grade students. That rate follows the students through the following grades. [Donald H. Harrison]
Cutting tuition, SDJA expands enrollment Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Who doesn’t want to stay young while growing older in years? The Torah is telling us that with faith in Hashem, all things work out in the end. After all, Sarah had a child at age 100 and Abraham lived to 175 years old. [Michael Mantell, PhD]
Sarah’s pregnancy: A lesson in trusting God Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellIt’s taken a long time, but finally the US has recognized the obvious fact that Jewish communities everywhere in Israel do not violate international law. The Washington Post, which is one of many media outlets that is unfriendly to Israel, verified this fact in its reporting of Secretary of State Pompeo’s pronouncement on November 18, 2019. To wit: “… the Trump administration had determined that Israel’s West Bank settlements do not violate international law.” [Steve Kramer]
Flash: Israel is Jewish – duh! Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
In reversing the Obama administration’s shameful acceding to the UN Security Council’s 2016 resolution that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria were illegal under international law, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo finally stated what was obvious to many legal scholars and others who have assessed the facts on the ground; namely, as Pompeo put it, “The establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not per se inconsistent with international law.” [Richard L. Cravatts, PhD]
Reversing Obama’s Israel policy based on solid law Read More »
Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, USA
The California Democratic Party, at its recent convention, passed over some of the Jewish Democrats running for offices in the San Diego County area in favor of better-known candidates. [Donald H. Harrison]
California Democrats pass over local Jewish candidates Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Travel and Food