I received a phone call from the president of the Young Israel of Staten Island, who informed me that Palestinian supporters planned to demonstrate outside the shul during our event. When I offered to cancel, he firmly declined and explained that the shul’s leadership decided to run a gathering to “express our unwavering support for Israel and our gratitude to the United States.” [Gedaliah Borvick]
Important votes were taken Wednesday in three different settings: The United Nations Security Council, the United States Senate, and the Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jewish Citizen: Pro-Israel Outcomes in the U.N. Security Council, U.S. Senate Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
As soon as we were done celebrating Halloween, we got ready in the USA for Thanksgiving. But there is another observance that the Jewish community can still embrace: November is Mizrahi Heritage Month. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Before the Turkey Comes the Kubbeh: Mizrahi Heritage Month Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
As I took my bottles and cans to EDCO Recycle this morning, I reflected that the “haul” used to be filled with Diet Coke cans. However, years ago, I switched to SodaStream, an Israeli product that carbonates your water. I don’t add any syrups. I simply drink fizzy water. The volume of my recycling has decreased, but I feel, nevertheless, that I am dong my part for the environment. [Cailin Acosta]
Mitzvot and Kindness Mark Visit to a Recycling Center Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
I found myself involved in the translation of five of the six volumes of Major Knesset Debates, 1948–1981, edited by former Clerk of the Knesset, Netanel Lorch. This project, which occupied me for several years, gave me a unique insight into the workings of the Knesset and the nature of the debates held there as well as of the various individuals (i.e., politicians) who participated in those debates. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Classic Debates in Israel’s Parliament Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Benjamin Franklin is supposed to have said, ”Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Well, The Man Who Came To Dinner at PowPac Theatre bears this out! In Moss Hart’s and George Kaufman’s play, this adage comes to life. Directed by Rhiannon McAfee, the marvelous cast of the Julia Smith production delivers the tale of a self-important, “bombastic” man who manipulates his minions for his own design. [Eva Trieger]
The Man Who Came to Dinner Overstays his Welcome Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Movie director Salvador Litvak (When Do We Eat?; Guns and Moses) has compiled 162 Jewish jokes. Some are very old. I’m 79 years old, and I can remember my father telling me some of the stories that he heard from his father. Call them classics. But others are fresh–or at least they are to me–and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud (“lol” to social media habitués) and then read them across the breakfast table to my wife, Nancy. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chuckling Over a New Anthology of Jewish Humor Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatireNearly 100 Democratic members of the House of Representatives have urged the House Ethics Committee, which meets on Wednesday, to publicly release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whom President-elect Trump has nominated for the job of U.S. Attorney General. Prior to Gaetz’s resignation from Congress last week, the committee had been investigating Gaetz for sex and drug offenses, among other allegations. [Donald H. Harrison]
I long have been baffled as to how we should respond if Israel is proven wrong in some circumstances. I changed my mind in the past few weeks after Israel emerged as a significant issue in the presidential race. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Sanders is Wrong that U.S. Needs to Halt Weapons Shipments to Israel Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Trump transition team plans to introduce a mandatory civil service exam for all federal government employees. It is considerably shorter than its predecessors. Here’s the first draft. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: The Uncivil Service Exam Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Every other month, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) comes alive with the buzz of community, culture, and preparation for Shabbat at the Shabbat Market. This unique event offers a perfect blend of practicality and festivity, giving attendees the chance to shop for Shabbat essentials, connect with friends old and new, and immerse themselves in the warmth of local Jewish life. [Miriam Gershenson]
Shabbat Market Brings Variety of Goods, Unity of Purpose Read More »
Albert Kreimerman, Business & Finance, Israel, Jewish Religion, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Wiesel was convinced that the power of literature lies in its ability to galvanize human action. This includes the Bible. “The text is not – cannot be – neutral, nor is it an end in itself: it must serve to humanize our society.” Wiesel shows this in his discussions of Joshua, Elijah, Saul, Jeremiah, and Jonah’s lives and actions. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Elie Wiesel Was Fascinated by Joshua, Elijah, Saul, Jeremiah, and Jonah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Arielle Weiss and Asher Gold are home for the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago and run into each other at the local neighborhood bar as they reunite with others from their Hebrew School class. They immediately locked eyes on each other and stepped away from the group to talk. Each received mixed signals. [Cailin Acosta]
Romance Novella Emphasizes Importance of True Communication Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
President Joe Biden’s authorization of long-range U.S. missiles, specifically ATACMS, for strikes within Russian territory marks a significant policy escalation. While intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense and disrupt Russia’s strategies in Kursk, the decision risks intensifying the conflict, pushing it closer to dangerous global consequences. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
OpEd: A Geopolitical Game of Chicken with Putin Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA