Simchat Torah is such a joyous time to celebrate with friends and family. It marks the completion of reading the Torah and the anticipation of starting it all over again. [Cailin Acosta]
International
Death of Sinwar Brings Lasting Peace Between Israel and Gaza No Closer
Some believe that Israel and Arabs who reside in Gaza and the West Bank could live in peace and partner together to build prosperity for all parties. That is doubtful. [Bruce S. Ticker]
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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsHandel’s ‘Messiah’ at Historic Church in Abu Ghosh a Welcome Respite from War’s Impact
Suddenly this year, in the midst of the war and tragedy that has befallen us, there was a beam of light. The Israel Barrocada Ensemble, which plays on period instruments and has been giving concerts in Tel Aviv, announced that it was returning to Abu Ghosh, and would start with a performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah.’ The sublime music, using texts taken from Isaiah, Psalms and other books of the Bible, has always inspired me and uplifted my spirit. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined ContributorsSatire: The Unexpurgated Donald Trump
The low point of his comments came when he said, “This man was strong and tough, and I refuse to say it, but when he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there, they said, ‘Oh my God, that’s unbelievable.'” [Laurie Baron]
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Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAThe End of Sukkot is Nigh
During hol hamoed it is customary to greet people with a joyous statement of celebration like chag sukkot sameach (happy sukkot holiday), mo’adim l’simcha (times of joy) and chagim u’zanim l’sasson (holidays and times for celebrating). [Cailin Acosta]
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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USASimchat Torah: Should We Dance or Cry?
As we approach the one-year anniversary [on the Hebrew calendar] of the devastating attack on Simchat Torah, a day celebrated as one of the most joyous in the Jewish calendar, we are confronted with a profound paradox. Over 1,200 people were murdered, and hundreds more were taken hostage. How can we reconcile such joy with such deep sorrow on this powerful day? [Rabbi Shmuly Begun]
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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined ContributorsJewish Trivia Quiz: Sukkot Products
Manufacturers and retailers look to expand their business, while not necessarily knowing about the holiday, its rules and its customs. What product is for sale this Sukkot that is getting attention because the product is flawed? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
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Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USASemyon Nadson, Philosemitic Russian Poet
The poet Semyon Nadson (1862 – 1887) lived for 24 years. He is known for being the first poet of Jewish descent to achieve national prominence in the Russian Empire. In 1886, Nadson was awarded the Pushkin Prize of the Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious literary award in pre-revolutionary Russia. [Alex Gordon]
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Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined ContributorsToday’s Jewish Birthday: Benjamin Netanyahu
Courtesy of Wikipedia Benjamin Netanyahu (October 21, 1949) is an Israeli politician, serving as the prime minister of Israel since 2022, having previously held the office in 1996–1999 and 2009–2021. He is chair of the Likud party. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history, having served a total of over 17 years. Born to secular Jewish parents, Netanyahu was raised
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International, Israel, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaChristians and Jews Celebrate Israel, Fight Against Antisemitism
The gathering brought together community members, local politicians, religious leaders, and artists, all united by the shared goal of combating antisemitism, supporting Israel, and fostering strong bonds between Christians and Jews. [Miriam Gershenson]
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Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAOpEd: The Last Moments of Yahya Sinwar
The old man surveys his difficult situation. He is a famous man in a hot place. Through the blasted walls of the typically middle class Arab apartment where he is he sees a ruined city which he himself ruined: dust, rubble, fires. [David Anderson]
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Antisemitism, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, The Moderate VoiceHistorical Fiction: A Look at What Might Have Turned a Troubled Boy into a Gestapo Persecutor of the Jews
This psychological probe into the life of Klaus Barbie, the Gestapo Butcher of Lyon, is highly readable piece of historical fiction starting with his boyhood as an abused illegitimate child and ending with his death in a French jail and reflections from contemporaries on his life and that of his most famous victim, Jean Moulin, leader of the French resistance. [Donald H. Harrison]
An Israeli-American Perspective: The Differences in Election Campaigns
While the political systems in Israel and the US differ in many ways, their election strategies, messaging, and public engagement highlight distinct national characteristics and challenges. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, News Media, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA5785: A good year for the Jews?
Will the new year be better than the previous horrible one? It’s hard to believe that it won’t be, given the last year’s continuous warfare. At this juncture, Israel has ruptured Hamas in Gaza and killed its leader Yahya Sinwar, leaving the major problems returning our hostages and eliminating the remnants of the Hamas fighting forces. [Steve Kramer]
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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer