Dorothea Shefer-Vanson is a freelance journalist based in Mevasseret Zion, Israel.
Her published works, available on Amazon, include:
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Currently showing at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem is an exhibition by Zoya Cherkassky, who was born in Russia and immigrated to Israel with her family in the 1990s. The Cherkasskys were part of the million-strong influx of Jewish immigrants from Russia who were finally able to leave […]
Social Realism: Russians in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Unable to sleep one night I surfed through the TV channels I sometimes watch and came across a debate about anti-Semitism on France24 (in English, fortunately). The trigger for this was President Macron’s tweet about the existence of an ‘old anti-Semitism’ in France alongside a new form of the
A European debate on anti- Semitism Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle EastTheir Promised Land; My Grandparents in Love and War by Ian Buruma; Penguin Random House, 2017 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — I found this book so fascinating that I read it more or less in one sitting and, having read it on my Kindle, proceeded to order the paperback version from Amazon as I knew I
German Jews fared well in 20th century Britain Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish HistoryBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –In recent years it has become customary in Israel, in addition to the official ceremonies marking Holocaust Day, for small groups of people, whether survivors, descendants of survivors, or simply those who feel a connection to the subject, to gather together in private homes and talk about their own
Memory in the Living Room Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Middle EastJulius Matthias; a Pact with the Devil by Michelle Mazel; New Meridian (c) 2017. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — This family saga spans the first half of the twentieth century, focusing primarily on good-looking Julius Matthias, the son of a poor Jewish family, whose one ambition in life is to become a doctor. In
Book details pre-war Jewish life in Romania Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — The ad in the paper for the show entitled “Tango in the Shadows” caught my eye, and since Yigal and I have long been aficionados of the tango in every shape and form we decided to buy tickets for the performance in Jerusalem. The fact that the event fell exactly on
It takes ten to tango Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & BroadcastUne Vie (One Life) by Simone Veil, (c) 2017, Stock, France. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — On the cover of Simone Veil’s autobiography, written in 2007, we read that she is a member of the Academie Francaise, though this is not mentioned in the book. It would seem that after a long and
Simone Veil’s memoir provides inspiration for all Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish HistoryBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — “What is your favorite sound?” was one of the questions that the legendary French interviewer and literary figure, Bernard Pivo, used to ask his interviewees. The answers were usually interesting but not very original. “The sounds of nature,” “A champagne cork popping,” “The harmonious cacophony of the orchestra tuning
Friday nights with the grand children Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Travel and FoodRossen to the Rescue; Secrets to Avoiding Scams, Everyday Dangers, and Major Catastrophes by Jeff Rossen; Flatiron Books (c) 2017; ISBN 9781250-119438; 234 pages plus acknowledgments and index. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — How can you make sure that neither you nor your near and dear ones are subjected to any of the
How to protect yourself from almost everything Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson EIN KEREM, Israel — When Ron Regev strides onto the stage to talk about the Beethoven piano sonatas he is about to play, the audience is immediately captivated by his youthful bearing, informal way of talking and encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject. Setting the topic in its musical, historical and philosophical context, he
Regev recital elucidates Beethoven Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Watching the daily newscasts it’s impossible to escape seeing and hearing the horrific events that are taking place not too far away from where I’m sitting now. The impact of telecommunications is inescapable. From here in Jerusalem to Damascus, just to the north of Israel, it’s only 135 miles.
Israelis horrified, terrified by carnage next door in Syria Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As well as forging and facilitating connections between individuals, Facebook also provides the opportunity to form groups, bringing together people all over the world who share mutual interests. These are many and varied, and seem to have succeeded in their objective. Thus, some time ago a bright spark somewhere
‘Brits Living in Israel’ FB group locates favored biscuits Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — “Who among you knows the names of your great-grandparents?” the speaker asked. Only a few of us put our hands up. “Who of you has a family tree?” he continued. Even fewer of our group of English-speakers living in Israel responded positively. Our speaker, Neville Lamdan, proceeded to explain
Recording our Jewish roots Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish HistoryBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As always, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gave her traditional Christmas message, which was televised and broadcast all over the world. Although I don’t usually pay it much attention, this year I happened to catch it live on TV, and watched with greater interest than usual,
Home is where the hearth is Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast