Middle East

Theater Review: A Monument Comes to Life

By Cynthia Citron    CALABASAS, California –  Picture the Blue Man Group covered in mud.  That’s a first impression of the Orto-Da Theatre Group,  a sensational ensemble of actors from Israel making their American debut last week at the International Theatre Festival in Calabasas.  Their presentation is called “Stones,” and, like the Blue Men, they work without words, completely in mime.  “Stones” was created and directed by Yinon Tzafrir, who […]

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Cynthia Citron, Middle East

Commentary: The unsettling messages in Andrew Shapiro's speech

By Shoshana Bryen     WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maybe it was just stylistic; maybe it was more. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro’s speech touting the United States as Israel’s best friend repeated itself: Israel’s future as a secure, Jewish, and democratic state is under threat from the dynamics of demography, ideology, and technology. The

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Middle East

AJCongress President explains status of his financially troubled organization

By Richard S. Gordon NEW YORK– There have been a number of questions over the last few days concerning the status of the American Jewish Congress.  Allow me to clarify those questions. Over the last number of years, and especially after Bernie Madoff stole approximately $21 million from our organization, the AJ Congress, like many

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Middle East, USA

Synthetic chemical compound can discourage mosquitoes from laying their eggs

HAIFA (Press Release)–A scientific breakthrough might assist in the fight against mosquitoes. New research carried out at the University of Haifa in collaboration with researchers from other universities has chemically identified, for the first time, compounds released by mosquitoes’ natural aquatic predators that function as warning signals for egg laying mosquitoes. Introducing these natural chemicals

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, October 1, 1954, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Tickets Go On Sale For Mrs. F.D.R. Talk Southwestern Jewish Press, October 1, 1954, Pages 1, 8 Invitations have been mailed this week inviting members of the Jewish community to participate as “Patrons” in presenting Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 11th at 8 p.m. Patrons, besides receiving

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Adventures in SD History, Middle East

Commentary:Tisha B’Av feels more auspicious in Jerusalem than elsewhere

By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — I’ve never been in Tel Aviv or Haifa for Tisha B’Av, but my guess is that it probably doesn’t feel too much different than Tisha B’Av in Seattle–a few hardy souls sitting on the floor of their synagogues in the evening and then spending the day itself struggling to

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Commentary:U.S. pressing Israel for territorial concessions in trade for defensive weapons

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, was dispatched last Friday to the Brookings Institution to advance the charm offensive that seeks to convince Israelis and American supporters of Israel that the Obama Administration is Israel’s best friend. He worked hard, but his bottom line was

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, September 17, 1954, Part 8

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff As the Psychologist Sees You Southwestern Jewish Press, September 17, 1954, Page 14 By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant (Note: During Irving Stone’s tour of military duty, this issue of the column has been written by his wife, Rosanne Stone) Be Yourself – In Atlantic City a few

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Adventures in SD History, Middle East, USA

Jundullah movement terrorizing eastern Iran

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Thursday, July 15,  was designated “Revolutionary Guard Day” by the Iranian government. The same day, two bombs exploded in a mosque in the city of Zahedan, in southeastern Iran. According to Iranian reports, two suicide bombers entered the mosque and detonated themselves, killing 30 and injuring more than 100 people. The

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen

The mystical pull of Jerusalem

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — This Shabbat has a special name. It is called “Shabbat Chazon,” after the first few words of the Haftarah. The Haftarah contains the dire prophecy/vision (“chazon”) of the prophet Isaiah concerning the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Isaiah’s prophecy is traditionally read on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B’Av, the

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Middle East