Byliners

Israel relatively peaceful oasis in roiled Middle East

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel is never far from the world’s headlines, but it is enjoying something of a breather. Muslims from Mauritania and Morocco to Pakistan are dealing with issues more pressing than their conventional assertions about Palestine.  Palestinians have troubles that, arguably, are greater than Israel. Gazans have a regime that is serious about Islamic law, […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

DeTocqueville’s essays make one wonder if democracy can take root in Muslim world

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– I have been among those mocking commentators who applaud the signs of democracy in the mass protests of Egyptians that resulted in the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. I am skeptical in the extreme about the chances of democracy taking hold in societies where Islam is the prevailing religion, especially in a

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Ira Sharkansky

‘Wizard of Oz’ still magic to throngs of kids at Civic Theatre

By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO– During the intermission of the latest incarnation of the L. Frank Baum’ book,  the  John Kane adaptation of “Wizard of Oz” I chatted with a tyke munching on a cookie. “How do you like the show so far?” I asked? Being non-committal in front of a stranger, her Mom piped up

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Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Behind the REAL curtain, not the one in Oz, Wizard wins admiration of local Munchkins Adira Rosen and Megan Spector

 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—In The Wizard of Oz, the title character turns out not as nice as he is reputed to be, but it’s just the opposite backstage at the Civic Theatre where the touring Broadway San Diego production has been pulling in the crowds.  There’s just nobody nicer than Robert John Biedermann,

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Donald H. Harrison

A bissel this, a bissel that—San Diego Jewish news and chatter

(column 19, February 17, 2011) Compiled by Donald H. Harrison Jewish organizations The National Conflict Resolution Center will honor retired Anti-Defamation League regional director Morris Casuto and anti-apartheid playwright Athol Fugart at a March 10 dinner at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.  Casuto will receive a lifetime achievement award. * David Brog, executive director of Christians

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County

Mideast turmoil spotlights value of U.S.-Israel alliance

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States provides military assistance to a variety of countries in the Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia, including Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Jordan, Yemen, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We provide equipment and training for the security forces of the Palestinian Authority. We also provide military aid to

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen

Jewish choirs to be on display at ‘Sing Out’ at LFJCC

By Eileen Wingard      LA JOLLA, California — “Sing Out!” A Festival of Jewish Choirs will take place Sunday, April 3  at the Lawrence Family JCC’s Garfield Theater . Cosponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s Music Series Committee and the Astor Judaica Library, the concerts will inaugurate the library’s recently organized Jewish

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Eileen Wingard

Saint-Saens concert brought together unusual combination of two keyboardists

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO–The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) devoted its entire February 1 concert to the works of the great French composer, Camille Saint-Saens. According to Gdal Saleski, in his “Famous Musicians of Jewish Origin,” Saint-Saen was born to a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father who died of consumption two months after

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Eileen Wingard

A bissel this, a bissel that – San Diego Jewish news and chatter

(column 18, February 14, 2011) Compiled by Donald H. Harrison Jewish Organizations Beth Jacob Congregation is using YouTube to publicize the Feb. 21 evening appearance of commentator Michael Medved.  The commercial is professionally done, and why not?  The congregation’s president is Rand Levin, one of the most talented video journalists in San Diego.  For many

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Carol Davis, San Diego County, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi