Byliners

A Gift of Love

By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California (Press Release)–It’s been over three weeks since he died, time to start looking through some of his belongings. I started with the drawers by his bedside. I found the usual: eyeglasses, a flashlight, a pocket reading lamp, a letter opener, some change, his Kindle, nail clippers, and—a bill […]

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Natasha Josefowitz, San Diego Calendar

Obama could learn from Israel's mistakes with Palestinians, Lebanese

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The New York Times followed President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan with an article that is devastatingly skeptical. It seems to have been prepared largely before the speech, on the basis of details discussed for days. The article  details the corruption high and low in Afghanistan that depends on narcotics, and the dismal

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Chabad of La Costa seeks yard-sale items

CARLSBAD, California (Press Release)–Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, spiritual leader of Chabad of La Costa, has issued the following appeal: “Our Annual Community Yard Sale is THIS coming Sunday (December 6) from 8am – 2pm at the shul (1980 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad). We need your saleable items now. Please bring items in good condition to the

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San Diego Calendar, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Music and history abound throughout Israel

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –As readers of this column will have surmised by now, my husband and I are keen concert-goers. Israel abounds in opportunities to attend inspiring orchestral concerts, uplifting chamber performances, and impressive solo recitals. We try to attend as many of these as our energy and pocket allow, and these

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

Inertia, rather than conscious policy, often influences the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—What has Israel contributed to the impasse in the peace process, and to the suffering of Palestinians? That is a question several have asked me, often with a follow up charging that I have not responded. I have responded, more than once. Those convinced of Israeli culpability either have not understood my

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Canadian Jerome Summers leads successful exchange concert

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Jerome Summers hales from Ontario, Canada, where he is Music Director of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra and, across the border, conducts the International Symphony Orchestra of Sarnia/Port Huron, Michigan.  Summers was in San Diego recently to guest conduct TICO. For several days prior to TICO’s opening concerts November 15

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Eileen Wingard, San Diego Calendar

Some hard realities of negotiations and politics

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–In response to a recent column, an American friend wrote the following:   “In other words, you are saying that the Israeli gesture is not a good faith effort to restart peace talks. Isn’t that what the Israelis have done before when they offered “concessions” they knew were inadequate and not acceptable

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Cookbook features world's kosher cuisine

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School has devised a delicious corollary to this publication’s motto that “there is a Jewish story everywhere.”  Gourmets may like the Orthodox school’s saying even better: “There’s great kosher food everywhere.” Coming out next week, in plenty of time for the December 11th first evening

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

At 104, Laura Simon worries for her aging children

LAURA SIMON—She’s 104 on Thanksgiving Day ___________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Among the celebrants of November birthdays at The Patrician senior residence in the University Towne Center area yesterday was Laura Simon, the oldest of them all.  Today, Thanksgiving, she turns 104. Simon smiled when Milica Todorivic, a member of the dining room staff,

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USA

Israel has image problems; anti-Israel professors have scholarship problems

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—Israel’s image in the world is less than desirable. How bad? is difficult to answer. There have been no serious threats of sanctions by major governments. The efforts of academics to declare boycotts have failed due to more reasonable colleagues. None the less, it is troubling to know about shouting against Israelis

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

‘Welcome to Ramallah’ returning to Compass Theatre

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Compass Theatre has announced it is bringing back the play Welcome to Ramallah for five performances for five performances December 6, 8, 13, 15 and 20 on its stage at 3704 6th Avenue in the Hillcrest area of San Diego.  Written by Sonja Linden and Adah Kay, the production will again be

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Carol Davis, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast