An unprecedented survey of American Jews conducted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) reveals deep concern about antisemitism in the United States and widespread fear that it is increasing.
American Jews cite rising anti-Semitism Read More »
USA
A few week ago, I had an opportunity to meet with six members of the Yazidi community, including journalists and activists. I must admit that although I knew and was very shaken when I first learned about the horrifying attack by ISIS on the Yazidi community in Sinjar, Iraq, listening to their account of what actually happened still stunned me beyond description. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
We must not grow numb to the Yazidi genocide Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
The Maharal, Yehuda Aryeh Löwe of Prague, teaches, “that we are called to deal kindly with all of humanity and certainly not to cause harm to anyone’s physical being, financial welfare, or personal dignity nor to disgrace or diminish the Divine image in our fellow.” The diversity of humanity is a crucial component of this understanding. After all, we learn in 1:27 that G-d created mankind b’tzelem Elohim, “in [the divine] image.” [Michael Mantell, PhD]
With Bereishit we begin learning Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Star Trek script screenwriter Nicholas Meyer has appropriated the characters of Sherlock Holmes and sidekick Dr. John Watson from the long-dead Arthur Conan Doyle and has produced a detective mystery book in which the great sleuth travels across Europe in 1905 to learn who forged the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and why. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sherlock Holmes and an anti-Semitic forgery Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Before I became a political satirist for a great metropolitan Jewish newspaper, I was a history professor for 37 years. Consequently, I can’t remain silent when Donald Trump compares the current House impeachment investigations to lynching. So here’s a lecture in lieu of laughter. [Laurie Baron, PhD]
No, Donald, impeachment is not lynching Read More »
Lawrence Baron, USA
The state’s proposed ethnic studies curriculum was temporarily shelved in part because of objections from the California Jewish Legislative Caucus, the Anti-Defamation League, and other Jewish groups that the panel that created the document all but ignored the Jewish experience in the United States, while utilizing the curriculum to spread a false Palestinian narrative about Israel that includes support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS). [Donald H. Harrison]
State’s Ethnic Studies Curriculum awaits resolution Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
We’re at the end of Bibi’s’ mandate, without any results. With more than a hint of desperation, and indications from within Likud that–while expressing support for their leader–individuals are maneuvering to be next in line. He’s produced another pledge, signed by the ultra-Orthodox, but not by Shaked and Bennett, that they’ll oppose any non-Bibi coalition that has the support of the Arab parties. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Bibi’s mandate soon to expire, without results Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) was part of a delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) on a previously unannounced weekend trip to Jordan, where they met with King Abdullah II to discuss Turkey’s invasion of Syria. The group also went to Afghanistan where they met with President Ashraf Ghani. [Donald H. Harrison]
Davis joins Pelosi’s trip to Jordan, Afghanistan Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USAOn what would have been oceanographer Walter Munk’s 102nd birthday on Saturday, Oct. 19, surfers gathered in a ring near the Scripps Pier in La Jolla while others gathered on the pier itself to honor Munk by tossing biodegradable flowers into the ocean. San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Charles T. Clark reported that a seal “even made an appearance, jumping in and out of the water nearby.” Often described as the “Einstein of the Oceans,” Munk died in February of this year. The City of San Diego honored him in 2017 on his 100th birthday by naming a walkway along the beach of La Jolla, “Walter Munk Way.” [Donald H. Harrison]
A posthumous birthday salute to oceanographer Walter Munk Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, USA
In a rare move, President Donald Trump backed down from one of his highly-criticized plans—to hold next year’s G-7 meeting at Trump National Doral, one of his many hotel/resorts world-wide. The plan was seen as a violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prohibits government officials from receiving money and gifts from foreign governments. Trump has previously been denounced for maintaining his ownership and/or control over many golf resorts, hotels, and other facilities, all potentially a violation of that clause. The Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC recently instituted a change to make that property more attractive to Jews. What was that change? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Trump hotels Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
With a growing anti-vaccine movement as a backdrop, noted researcher and president of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation Dr. Peter Salk – whose father discovered the first polio vaccine – will address the fight to end polio and the current controversy surrounding vaccines during a public presentation at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Sunday, October 27. [David Ogul]
Son of Jonas Salk to tell of vaccination necessity Read More »
David Ogul, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
History repeats itself mostly because people fail to learn from the terrible consequences that occurred following the foolish acts of the past. The Bible tells us about the supposed wisdom of King Solomon. In my book The Authentic King Solomon, I show that actually, scripture is demonstrating that the king was not as smart as he and we think he was. In every chapter where Solomon is shown to have performed an act, it also shows, without exception, that he also acted foolishly. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
King Solomon the not so wise Read More »
International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Middle East
The biblical story of Cain and Abel takes only 16 verses, but it prompted author John Steinbeck to write his longest, and what he considered his greatest book, East of Eden, greater even than his more famous Grapes of Wrath. [Donald H. Harrison]
National Steinbeck Center presents author’s life, works Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
It all started in 2013, when my son Lincoln was with me, visiting the Ashley, North Dakota Jewish Cemetery where my great-grandfather is buried. He began asking me questions about the community of Russian Jewish immigrants, who arrived in the early 1900s with no farming experience, to farm the North Dakota prairies. I didn’t have sufficient answers. But the seed was planted for me to learn more – for my son, myself, our family, and people I had never met. [Rebecca Bender]
A Jewish Tale of the Great American Prairie Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lifestyles, USA