Donald H. Harrison

Porto Alegre becomes first Brazilian city to require Holocaust education

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (WJC)–A new law passed by authorities  in this southern Brazilian city will require all public schools to include Holocaust education in their curriculum. The measure will affect an estimated 60,000 students at 96 schools. Porto Alegre recent suffered a series of neo-Nazi incidents. The new law is the first of its kind […]

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Travel and Food

Is American Jewish community getting restive over Israel?

By Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Is the sky falling? Or only part of that over the Jewish community of the United States? The signs appear in one New York Times article that takes seriously the prospect of a Palestinian state declared unilaterally, with the support of prominent international bodies and maybe even the acquiescence of

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Clinton tells American Task Force for Palestine concessions are necessary by both sides

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– In a speech to the American Task Force on Palestine, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized that both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian must be prepared to make concessions and to realize benefits from peace. Here is a text of the speech she made on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Ritz Carlton

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Middle East

If they were Jewish, Zimbalist could say Katharine Hepburn was ‘mishpacha’

By Cynthia Citron BURBANK–Stephanie Zimbalist met Katharine Hepburn only once, when the legendary actress came backstage to tell Zimbalist and the other members of the cast of Baby Dance, “You are all so good!!  And I thought I was the only one!” Despite the left-handed compliment, Hepburn has continued to have a major impact on

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Travel and Food

San Diego Jewish Book Fair: Author will tell story of Rick Hodes’ clinic in Ethiopia

This Is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes by Marilyn Berger, HarperCollins, 2010; ISBN 978-0-06-175954-3, $25.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Journalist Marilyn Berger travels in circles which one would expect might lead to cynicism, or at least to the blasé attitude characterized by the phrase: “Been there, done that.”   Based in New York

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International

Strep throat may lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder

TEL AVIV (Press Release) — A common infection in children, strep throat can lead to problems with a child’s heart, joints or brain if left untreated. And when the brain is involved, motor and mental functioning may be compromised, leading to syndromes such as attention deficit disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While scientists have speculated on

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Science, Medicine, & Education

Dumanis tells her opposition to California’s marijuana initiative

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has explained why she is opposing Proposition 19 on California’s Nov. 2 ballot.  The measure would legalize marijuana use in the state. In a published statement, Dumanis said: “Proponents of Prop. 19 want you to believe it will improve public safety and increase government revenue through taxing

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San Diego Calendar, San Diego County

On 15th anniversary of assassination, Rabin’s legacy debated

By Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Due to the co-existence of Hebrew and secular calendars, Israelis can celebrate events twice. The vast majority  operate according to the secular calendar, but events close to a religious holiday tend to be remembered as such. Varda was born on hay b’Tishri, (five days after Rosh Hashana), so

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Netanyahu says Jews too should take Israeli loyalty oath

JERUSALEM (WJC) — Following protests in Israel and abroad, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants to include Jews in a bill that would require new Israeli citizens to swear loyalty to the country as a “Jewish and democratic state” when taking citizenship. Netanyahu gave instructions to the justice minister to extend the controversial

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Middle East

Colombia’s ambassador to Israel Isaac Gilinski says it’s better to pass up business than to pay a bribe

HAIFA (Press Release)–Businessman and Colombian Ambassador to Israel Isaac Gilinski was present at the launching of a unique “Colombia Bicentennial” exhibition at the University of Haifa, and followed the event with a lecture for students of the University’s Graduate School of Management. Mr. Gilinski is the owners of the Gilinski Group, managing a number of

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Travel and Food

Foxman promises help to children of migrant workers in Israel

JERUSALEM (Press Release)–The head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday, Oct. 19,  visited the Rogosin-Bialik School in Tel Aviv, a diverse inner-city school with students from nearly 40 countries, where he met with children of migrant workers who are threatened with deportation.  “We care about you, and in the spirit of Jewish values, we

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Middle East

What would change if UN recognized Palestine as independent?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–I’ve been urging Kaddish for the idea of the Palestinian state ever since the sound of exploding buses replaced  enthusiasm for the Oslo Accords. That puts me against many people who consider themselves right thinking, and perhaps a large majority of those who are leaders of their countries. On the other hand,

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East