Byliners

'The God Virus' analyzes religion from disapproving standpoint

The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture by Darrel W. Ray, Ed.D., IPC Press, Bonner Springs, Kansas, ISBN 978-0-9709505-1-2, $15.95, 234 pages. Reviewed by Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California–In the mid-1970, Richard Dawkins shook up the fields of biology and genetics with his book, The Selfish Gene. In this work, Dawkins argues […]

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Fred Reiss, EdD

Middle East inertia the product of Palestinian intransigence, U.S. naivete

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–An American friend shows his concern for Palestinians with several  questions that deserve answers: 1. Why is there not much support, or any, for a Palestinian State composed only of territory on the West Bank? Wouldn’t it be better to take that incremental step and deal with Gaza (Hamas) later? 2. The

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Letter to the Editor: Bryen 'SO touched' to be linked to Morrie Wax's memory

Editor, San Diego Jewish World I was playing on the web and found the link to my articles in the San Diego Jewish World. Of course, I knew you were running them, which I very much appreciate, but I just discovered they are sponsored by Waxie Sanitary Supply in memory of Morrie Wax. I was

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Jewish History, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Ranger who believes he is great grandson of Bat Masterson mourns passing of actor Gene Barry, who portrayed him on television

Park Ranger Tracey Walker ____________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Tracey Walker, the chief ranger at Mission Trails Regional Park, has a special reason for mourning the passing of actor Gene Barry, who died Wednesday at age 90. One of Barry’s most famous television roles was as the dapper, gold-cane carrying, western lawman and gambler

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History

Links to recommended reading and viewing, #2

Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem tells of “anti-freeze” demonstration, favoring continued construction “Jewish Federations of North America Update on Rescue of Yemen Jews” Donald H. Harrison, “Santee Lakes are models of recreation and reclamation,” Examiner.com (Don is now doing general sightseeing stories in addition to his work as editor of San Diego Jewish World.  Friends

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Settlers demonstrate power of a religiously driven minority

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel’s limited, 10-month settlement freeze is not working like a well oiled Swiss watch, assuming that metaphor still has validity in the digital age. Settlers have massed to demonstrate against what they call the abominable anti-Jewish doctrines of the prime minister many of them had supported, and they are sending their teen

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Lawrence Family JCC dinner, lecture to mark Talmis' return visit to San Diego Jan. 11

LA JOLLA, California — Yoav Talmi, former conductor of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, on Monday, Jan. 11, will discuss orchestras in Israel and the continuing controversy over whether they should play the music of composer  Richard Wagner, who was a Nazi sympathizer. Talmi currently is the permanent guest conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra,

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East, San Diego Calendar

Taglit/Birthright Israel may change 20 SDSU student lives forever

Past SDSU Hillel group frolics at the Dead Sea during Taglit/ Birthright Israel trip. Photo courtesy SDSU Hillel _____________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –For 20 Jewish students at San Diego State University, there’s much to look forward to after finals, Chanukah and the New Year.   A free Taglit/ Birthright Israel trip to Israel,

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

All or nothing solutions are unrealistic in Middle East

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Responses to my column on negotiations for a prisoner swap indicate it is time for comments about relations between Israelis and Palestinians. “The question I have is what has Israel done to make it completely out of the question for any enemy group to ever think of capturing an Israeli soldier again

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

A comparison of the U.S. and Israel — and their democracies

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel attracts attention like a magnet. Some years ago, at the height of the Cold War, there were said to be more foreign correspondents in Jerusalem than in any other capital except Washington and Moscow. The weight of Muslims in international forums assures a chronic rate of condemnations. Being the Holy Land

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA