By Heidi Gantwerk SAN DIEGO — After Jewish Federation of San Diego’s unforgettable CommUNITY Trip to Israel–truly the trip of a lifetime–a group of us headed to the airport this morning, with alerts pinging on our phones and watches signaling more rocket attacks throughout the South and other areas of Israel. Last night, all 220 […]
A Life-Changing Trip Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, San Diego County
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Once upon a time in America, Israel’s existence was held in as much high esteem as motherhood and apple pie. Even today, what reasonable person here would not want to stamp out antisemitism? In Washington, 19 members of the House of Representatives last Wednesday voted against a resolution to
Who Would Vote to Block a Measure to End Antisemitism? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Ma’aleh Adumim is a small city in the Judean desert on the outskirts of Jerusalem with a population of more than 40,000 Israelis, including a large American contingent. It’s as close as a 10-minute drive for the many residents who work in or visit Israel’s largest city, Jerusalem.
Strategic City of Ma’aleh Adumim Seeks Financial Support Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Is it a sign of trouble? Or another wave of indecision? Itamar Ben-Gvir has demanded more control over the police, and threatens not voting with the coalition if it is not given. Apparently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi) has said “go ahead,” or “find a better home for yourself.”
Israel’s Government: Another Wave of Indecision? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion
By Doron Krakow The setting was an estate on Long Island—a one-time family home now an elegant retreat center about an hour from midtown Manhattan. The topic was talent and the professional pipeline of the organized Jewish community, and along the way I found myself in a meeting with the heads of the major denominations
By Jerry Klinger The BBC called Jack Nissenthall “The VC (Victoria Cross) Hero Who Never Was.” Eighty years on from the 1942 British raid on Nazi coastal facilities and radar installations in Dieppe, Nissenthall’s extraordinary, courageous actions remain hidden by the British Secrecy Acts. What he did, what he learned, what he saw, remain British
Long-Overdue Recognition for British-Jewish War Hero Jack Nissenthall Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — In the Middle East, the Jews defeated a superior enemy force in six days. In Europe, a Jew could only hold the head of state for six days. A 25-year-old poet, a Jew by nationality, was president of a European country for six days. The rule of philosopher kings
Ernst Toller: The Six-Day President Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion
By Jonathan S. Tobin (JNS) There is something about the story of the eight Jews who spent more than two years hiding in the secret annex on Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam that is irresistible to readers, as well as audiences for plays and movies. The travails of Otto Frank and his family, who were trapped
Miep Gies and the Quest for a Lasting Holocaust Lesson Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Opinion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — “They love him in Israel.” Do they love him in Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach, the main cities and their suburbs where most Florida Jews live? Or, for that matter, Floridians generally who live in those areas? Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade county voters consistently vote for
DeSantis Visit to Israel Not All That Kosher Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — There were 150,000 Israelis demonstrating in support of judicial reform. That’s about as big of a crowd as provided by opponents. So it’s close to a tied score. Right-wing extremists are excited. Yari Levin, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Simcha Rothman are pressing for action. Reports from before this
Close to a Tied Score on Judicial Reform Protests Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — It was with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension that we bought tickets for the concert of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra in which the first half consisted of the performance of an unknown work entitled “Twelve Tribes” by an unfamiliar composer, Benjamin Yusupov. The attraction of the second
‘Twelve Tribes’ and Music as a Source of Hope Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, OpinionBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — The shock value of the spectacle that General Dwight D. Eisenhower witnessed at the Ohrdruf concentration camp on April 12, 1945, is now being revived on a smaller scale with the Tree of Life trial and a grisly attack in Las Vegas. In early April 1945, the army’s dreadful
Jewish PTSD…From Pittsburgh Shul to Vegas School Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Last week was Yom HaShoah, Israel’s day to remember the Holocaust. There are fewer each year who tell their stories. For the most part, they were very young. Some did not realize what was happening. Christian families received them, and their parents went elsewhere. Christian Churches helped, including the
Israel’s Painful Holidays Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — If you ever wondered how the U.S. would react should another Nazi Germany threaten the democratic world, stop wondering. You’re seeing it right now in the Middle East…Let’s jump back to 1932, when the U.S. was in isolationist mode and in Germany, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party
Time for Reflection Read More »
Holocaust, International, Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA