By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Since the reviews of the above film were positive on the whole, we decided to make a supreme effort to see it, squeezing it in between two evenings of other cultural activities. The subject was particularly interesting for me because it was set in London during the Second […]
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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, InternationalGetting Emily Robbins on the phone is not an easy task. The writer and anthropology scholar is currently living in Jordan, researching her second book. Her first book, “A Word for Love,” is set in Syria. She was inspired to write it after living in the country for multiple years in the early 2000s. Robbins’
Covenant & Conversation, Numbers: The Wilderness Years, A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Maggid Books and The Orthodox Union, Jerusalem, © 2017, ISBN 978-1-68025-294-1, p. 171, plus glossary, $14.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – World-renown rabbi and scholar Rabbi Jonathan Sacks begins with the assertion that the Book of
Rabbi Sacks essays on the Book of Numbers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionOn Writing by Stephen King; Scribner, Simon and Schuster, 2000 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Not being a fan of the horror/fantasy genre of novels, I must confess at the outset that I have not read any of Stephen King’s other books. I do know, however, that he is a very successful and prolific author in
Stephen King more profound as author than coach Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-VansonNearly 40 years after Bob Dylan stunned the music world with the release of his overtly Christian album, “Slow Train Coming,” followed quickly with the unambiguously gospel “Saved,” people still don’t know what to make of America’s most enigmatic troubadour. The conventional wisdom is that Dylan took an intense dive into evangelical Christianity for a
The debate about Bob Dylan’s faith is over Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Freud: An Intellectual Biography by Joel Whitebook; Cambridge University Press (c) 2017; 496 pages. By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — When Don Harrison asked if I’d review a new book about Schlomo Sigismund Freud, known to most as Sigmund Freud, I gladly accepted the opportunity. Why? I’m not sure. Not that I’d spend
Freud biography heavy reading, yet interesting Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education
Unusual Bible Interpretations: Jonah and Amos, by Rabbi Israel Drazin; Gefen Publishing House, 2016; ISBN-10: 9652298859; ISBN-13: 978-9652298850 By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — I would like to begin this book review with a conversation I had with the publisher of San Diego Jewish World, Don Harrison. He asked me whether there was
Was the whale created by Jonah’s subconscious mind? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Ken Stone Times of San Diego LA JOLLA, California — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Lichtblau, author of an exposé of the Nazi era’s shameful American aftermath, is worried what a future historian might say about today’s War on Terror. With James Risen, Eric Lichtblau won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for revealing
Future historians may rue aspects of U.S. war on terror Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Ken Stone, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAThe Jewish Calendar: History and Inner Workings by Dr. Fred Reiss; (c) 2017; ISBN 9781544-72382. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The study of the Jewish calendar is not one of the easiest topics to research. It is an area that most rabbis have at best a general knowledge of the history.
How does the Jewish calendar work? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiEditor’s note: Author Bob Holloway served as an enlisted man in the Marines during the Korean Conflict. He was wounded and later received the Purple Heart. By Bob Holloway Son, I’m just a punk reporter and I’ve never lugged a mortar so believe me I’ll just listen here tonight For I know you went
‘The Interview’ — A poem for Memorial Day Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — I never read the book Moby Dick in my youth. Now that I have more time, I decided to read it in my dotage. I failed miserably. Even though Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest works of American literature, I found it ponderous and boring. When
Delay tasks? You’re more a Melville than a Moses Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin; Algonquin Books of Chapel Hills; (c) 2017; ISBN pending; 307 pages; tentative price $26.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Two young Jewish interns, Monica Lewinsky and Chandra Levy, z”l, as written about in the Washington D.C. media became caricatures of themselves. Lewinsky was the intern whose spotted
Sex with the powerful: A story of a D.C. intern Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. HarrisonBy Stanley Tiger SAN DIEGO — Although today his name is not a household word, it may be a measure of his success – his success in remaining private. Herman Wouk, celebrating his 102nd birthday on May 27th, is known for the value he places on his privacy, yet this extraordinary writer remains a luminary in the
Happy birthday Herman Wouk on your 102nd Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionThe co-author of Donald Trump’s best-selling business guide and memoir The Art Of The Deal announced the president is undergoing a “significant meltdown” in a CNN interview with Anderson Cooper. “I think he’s reacting from a survival place,” Tony Schwartz told Cooper Wednesday. He’s in pure defensive mode…he’s being run by the part of his
Trump Is in ‘Meltdown’ Says ‘Art Of The Deal’ Co-Writer Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, USA