By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The front page headline of Ha’aretz is that Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, about to visit Israel, comes with a recommendation that giving up the Golan would add to Israel’s status in international politics. Italy is a great place to visit. The food and wine are first class, the clothes and shoes […]
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– I should perhaps be out on the barricades protesting against the growing haredi domination of Israel. Apart from some disaffected children who grew up in liberal Jewish households, particularly in America, and are “born again,” the high birthrate and culture of early marriage steadily increases the ultra-Orthodox population. The demographic imbalance
Growing influence of Haredim changing character of Israel Read More »
Middle East
By Randy Fadem SAN DIEGO–The United Jewish Federation held its annual Men’s Event at the La Jolla Hyatt Regency of Wednesday January 27, 2010. Over 800 Jewish men attended. They were treated to a gala evening of presentations by UJF dignitaries, program recipients, and two featured speakers, Shahar Azani, Consul for Culture at the Israeli
Passion and compassion characterized UJF Men's Event Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Here is something that President Obama and his advisers should consider before spending any more of their time nudging Israeli and Palestinian leaders to negotiate a peace. http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=167194 The details are not entirely clear, but reinforce the larger story of corruption in high places of the Palestine Authority, the lack
Evidence of Palestinian corruption should put brakes on U.S. Mideast push Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAJERUSALEM–President Obama’s State of the Union address dealt almost entirely with domestic issues, despite American troops active in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now Yemen, as well as highly touted efforts with respect to Israel-Palestine and Iran. Also, the focus was heavily on the economy, and lightly on what had been his iconic health initiative. The
Obama's State of the Union proves again he's a speaker, but can he also be a doer? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Over the summer, the Government of Iraq accused the Government of Syria of harboring al Qaeda camps and permitting operatives to cross the border into Iraq to attack Iraqis and Americans-including the attack on August 19, 2009 that killed 95 people and wounded more than 500 in the heart of
Iraq right to fight al Qaeda, resist Ba'ath Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–The suggestion by Gaza Palestinians that they were most attuned to Haitian suffering because-after all-they had suffered an Israeli “earthquake” was a disgusting attempt to equate self-inflicted ruin as a result of terrorism against Israel with the horrifying natural disaster that befell the Haitians. Nevertheless, it appears to have prompted a
Aid to Gaza and to Haiti Read More »
Middle East, USABy Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Yoav Talmi peppered his talk with humorous anecdotes as he described the development of orchestras in Israel, several coming into being because of the large influx of Russian-born musicians. The January 11 lecture in the JCC’s Garfield Theare drew a large and appreciative audience. When Talmi spoke
Talmi tells of Wagner ban in Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–For a short while I thought that as a result of sober analysis I had finally tamed my natural propensity for pessimism and that my future comments about events in Israel would be cheerful and pleasing. I felt that I had reasons for the change of heart, e.g.: (1) The
Now, why would anyone be pessimistic in Israel? Read More »
Middle East, USABERLIN (WJC) — Speaking on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel’s President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder have highlighted the dangers posed by the Iranian regime. “There will be just a few more short years before the living memories become memories,” said Ronald Lauder, president of the
International Holocaust Remembrance Day speakers warn of Iran's intentions Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –No, not the conductor, Otto Klemperer, but his cousin, Viktor, Professor of Romance Languages at Dresden University. Most of Viktor’s extended family had left Germany for the US well before 1939, but Viktor had no children, was married to a non-Jew, had fought in the German army in the
Music and diary revive dark feelings of Shoah Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, USASAN DIEGO (Press Release)–In the first two weeks following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, nearly 70 individuals and families who partner with the Jewish Community Foundation for their giving immediately stepped up and recommended almost $102,000 in grants to provide immediate assistance to victims. Schools, hospitals and thousands of homes have been destroyed and more
Jewish Community Foundation donors send over $100,000 for Haiti relief Read More »
Middle East, San Diego CalendarBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–One of my internet friends objects to my calling Europe the enlightened continent. “What in the blazes are you talking about.? Europe, the hot-bed of modern antisemitism…enlightened? The Netherlands with a de facto, maybe de jure euthanasia policy! France being so overrun with rebellious Muslims that there are scores of areas throughout the country
Just how 'enlightened' is Europe? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Releazse)– EL AL Israel Airlines turned one New York woman’s panic into relief after a forgotten backpack containing $50,000 worth of jewelry and irreplaceable business documents was discovered and safely returned by EL AL employees. Upon arrival from Israel into JFK International Airport, the EL AL passenger accidentally left her backpack at
El Al passenger recovers $50,000 in jewelry Read More »
Middle East, USA