Opinion

Sunday Soundoff: Transgendered Women, Christening Ceremonies, and Israel

Having been “retired” as editor and publisher of San Diego Jewish World for more than a year, I find myself wanting to write occasional opinion columns in addition to the book reviews and features which I’ve continued to submit to our publication’s new leader Jacob Kamaras. So, with the indulgence of you readers, I’m going to sound off periodically on issues of concern to me as a Jew. [Donald H. Harrison]

Sunday Soundoff: Transgendered Women, Christening Ceremonies, and Israel Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

A Case of Theological Thuggery in Israel

Horrifying statement from a newly elected MK: “Our banner is one of unambiguous war on progress. The status-quo has to be changed, ensuring that Judaism is acknowledged in every corner of the life of the State. Israel will be a country that observes the Sabbath in public, homosexual families will not be given recognition, and women will not serve in the army; their contribution will be to marry and produce a family. We will not be like countries that are for all their citizens. Heaven forfend. The values of Judaism supersede all individual rights. Look, I’m getting tools and budgets, I’m here to work, and we will clean up the public systems. Watch me, I’m patient, this is just the beginning of the beginning.” [Dorothea Sherfer-Vanson]

A Case of Theological Thuggery in Israel Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion

Santos, the ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous is He?

Until Tuesday, our first “Jew-ish” Congressman established himself as a serial liar, a possible criminal suspect and a punchline. Now it is far worse: George Santos is scary, and maybe dangerous. The Washington Post reports a web of connections that begs questions as to what he is capable of, in or out of Congress. It compounds other disturbing elements of the controversy. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Santos, the ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous is He? Read More »

Bruce Ticker, International, Opinion, USA

Woke Intolerance and the Canceling of the Father of the Georgia Peach Industry

By Jerry Klinger National Public Radio reported a story that was frankly, flabbergasting, a big word meaning — you have got to be kidding. An office within the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work says it is removing the term “field” from its curriculum because it may have racist connotations related to slavery.

Woke Intolerance and the Canceling of the Father of the Georgia Peach Industry Read More »

Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, USA

The Angry Voices of the Right-Wing Ideologues

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Key members of Israel’s establishment have taken aim at reforms indicated by ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. According to the Times of Israel, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut denounced the new government’s plan, as proposed by Justice Minister Yair Levin, as radically overhauling Israel’s judicial and legal

The Angry Voices of the Right-Wing Ideologues Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion

Fellow Travelers

By Doron Krakow What is it about those group experiences? How is it that so many of the people most important in our lives are the same ones with whom we briefly shared something special that became something lasting, something transformative? For many of us, it’s the people with whom we went to camp, those

Fellow Travelers Read More »

Doron Krakow, Opinion, USA

Moses Mendelssohn: The Berlin Dreamer

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — In 1783, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing’s play “Nathan the Wise” premiered at the Berlin Theater. The play was a literary and theatrical sensation and a shock to Germany, and perhaps to the entire Christian world. Hitherto Jews had been considered and portrayed as immoral and despicable people. Lessing’s character Nathan,

Moses Mendelssohn: The Berlin Dreamer Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion

Where’s the Outrage Over Biden Comparing Illegal Immigrants to Holocaust Victims?

(JNS) After two years of pointedly ignoring a problem largely of his own making, President Joe Biden finally made a brief visit to the U.S. southern border in El Paso, Texas. While there, however, he saw little of the human cost of the catastrophe, as he didn’t meet or see any of the illegal immigrants

Where’s the Outrage Over Biden Comparing Illegal Immigrants to Holocaust Victims? Read More »

Holocaust, Opinion, USA

If Justice, Justice is Not Pursued in Israel

By Bruce S. Ticker “Justice, justice thou shalt pursue…” – Exodus “The law is all we have…” – Newman, from “The Seven” segment in “Seinfeld” Team Bibi’s plans to transform Israel’s legal system boils down to a perversion of our most basic biblical teachings. They will forsake justice to feed their political appetites. Retired Rabbi

If Justice, Justice is Not Pursued in Israel Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA

Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Israeli Government?

By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Now is not the beginning of the end of Israeli democracy, as many “pundits” say, but the end of the beginning of a more nationalistic Israel (a good thing). According to Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, the government’s four main priorities are: stymying Iran, personal and national security,

Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Israeli Government? Read More »

Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA