Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson is a freelance journalist based in Mevasseret Zion, Israel.

Her published works, available on Amazon, include:

Israel public radio and TV helped olim adjust

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — What exactly lies behind the closing of Israel’s Broadcasting Authority after its seven decades of serving the public is a subject for speculation. Politics, finances and greed are part of the picture for sure, although other reasons have been posited. The radio, followed by […]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Music therapy for those with brain disorders

Musicophilia, Tales of Music and the Brain, by Oliver Sacks, Published by Picador, 2008 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The author, who has written several books about various aspects of psychology, among them The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, and Awakenings, has extensive experience of working with individuals who have

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — Over the years I have attended many performances of Handel’s Messiah, but no matter where it was performed (England, America, France, Israel) it was always sung in English. George Frederick Handel wrote the oratorio using the text devised by Charles Jennens, based on the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Leo Baeck and Jewish liberalism

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Tucked away in a quiet Jerusalem side-street is the Leo Baeck Institute, where activities associated with the man himself and various aspects of his heritage are held, its official purpose being ‘the study of German and Central European Jewry.’ Sister institutes are to be found in cities elsewhere

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Fry saga leaves reviewer with mixed feelings

Moab is my Washpot by Stephen Fry; Hutchinson, 1997. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — I have mixed feelings about the author whose avowed brilliance is tempered by strange behavior, apparently due to his being subject to bi-polar disorder, as well as his aversion to Israel and Zionism. His half-Jewish background may partly account for the latter,

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

How the Brits broke the Nazis’ ‘Enigma’ code

Capturing the Enigma; the Unsung Heroes of HMS Bulldog by Patrick Spencer; Published by Mouse Works Publishing By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — In May 1941, at a time when the Second World War was in full swing and the British forces were doing their utmost to block Hitler’s rampage across Europe, the battle to control

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International

Culture and weather in London, Paris, Jerusalem

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — ‘He who tires of London has tired of life,’ wrote Samuel Johnson, and I dare say he had a point. Even in the dead of winter, when the bone-chilling cold really does chill every inch of bone in your body, the place has its pleasures provided you are suitably

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

In battle with my tooth, dentist was painful victor

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — In order to spare the feelings of anyone who might happen to read this I am not posting a photo of my face. I look like something out of a horror movie. The sight would be too horrifying for most people. Especially anyone who knows what I look like normally.

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

‘Sleeping Beauty’ delights in Jerusalem

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson JERUSALEM — Once a year Israel’s classical ballet comany puts on a performance of a traditional ballet. This is intended mainly for the entertainment of children during the Chanukah/Christmas holiday season. For me, however, this is a golden opportunity to enjoy a very special aesthetic and artistic treat. When I was growing

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast