Travel and Food

Israeli security bars wrestling team from competing in Turkey for Olympic qualifier

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], May 5 (ANI/TPS): The Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) barred a delegation of five wrestlers from flying to Istanbul for an Olympic qualifying event on May 9-13. The ban effectively ends the team’s hopes of competing in the Paris Olympics in August. “I’m disappointed, but I knew that […]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nordot, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

The Lion’s Trail: Gush Etzion

Looking to the east, from the viewing platform, are the Mountains of Moab; present day Jordan. Moses stood atop one of the Moab Mountains, Mount Nebo, his heart breaking. God permitted Moses to see the “Promised Land” only from afar. Moses was not permitted to enter the “Land” because of the sin he committed, doubting God, in front of the Jewish people.  [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Erez crossing reopens – Hundreds of trucks filled with aid enter Northern Gaza

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], May 3 (ANI/TPS): The Israeli agency COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip) reported that the Erez crossing into Gaza on its northern border with Israel opened for the first time since the Hamas terrorist massacre of October 7,

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Israel, Nordot, Travel and Food

Getting Away from It All in Cyprus

Even when the news is reported in Greek (though the TV in our room also showed one of the Israeli channels as well as the BBC), it’s impossible to avoid scenes of devastation, clips of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities across the USA or recognize the names of Israel’s prime minister and other politicians. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Embracing Living & Grieving

We made a huddle with Angela, wrapped our arms around each other, and sang a melodic healing prayer. At one point, I glanced up at Angela, and saw her intently listening, with an angelic smile on her face. Though she knew (we did not) that her cancer had metastasized, there was not a hint of fear or sorrow on her face. She appeared to be fully taking in every second of her life. When the prayer was over, we stayed in our huddle and silently swayed. None of us wanted to let go. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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International, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

The Matzo Chronicles: My Whirlwind European Tour, Tulips and Turmoil

Where are the proudly proclaimed markers of historical Jewish life and contributions in the great European cities? Why are they — we — too often erased or at least, largely invisible from the tours and guidebooks? 
Second, for all the glory and achievement, how is it that humankind still hasn’t learned to respect religious, ethnic, and cultural differences, or at least tolerate them? [Karen Galatz]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Lion’s Trail in Golan Recalls 749 Earthquake-Destroyed Synagogue

The Golan Heights had been a significant area of Jewish life. After the earthquake of 749, Jews could not and were not permitted to return to live in the Golan by the occupying Muslim powers and later the Ottoman Turks. Jews could not return to live in the Golan until after the Israeli victory over the Syrians in the 1967 war. [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Customs Surrounding Food Told Entertainingly

Ways of Eating does not contain recipes. Instead it is packed with “takeaways” that illuminate food culture. For instance, “restaurant” derives from the “restoratives” of broth served at inns to travelers. The chapter “Medieval Tastes,” aka middle ages, presents a spirited discussion of periodization and geography. [Olivere B. Pollak]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Palestine Lawn Day at Balboa Park Walls Off House of Israel

At one point, we had a man and woman from the other side come to the House of Israel. They
did not go inside but they were in our courtyard and they were engaging in a debate with
members of our community. My husband and I lingered close by just in case. One of the police officers made sure to also be very close to the situation. What was a nice surprise, it never went beyond a passionate and respectful debate between the parties involved. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Israeli intelligence chief resigns over Oct. 7 Hamas attack

Published by RBC-Ukraine (CA) The head of intelligence at the Israeli General Staff, Aharon Haliva, has submitted his resignation. His decision is related to the Hamas attack on the country on October 7, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As IDF notes, Haliva has already submitted his resignation. The decision was coordinated with the Chief

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Israel, Nordot, Travel and Food

The Lion’s Trail Through Biblical Israel: First in a Series

  By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Benny Kashriel, the mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, a bedroom community of 30,000 just over the Green Line from Jerusalem, shared with me in November 2022 that Ma’ale Adumim is mentioned in the book of Joshua 18:17. The mayor presented me with a special recognition.  Judy and I

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

California’s Religious History Remembered at Very Last Northbound I-5 Exit in San Diego County

Northbound Interstate 5’s last exit in San Diego County is Cristianitos Road, Spanish for ‘the Little Christians.” How did it get such a name, and what might Jewish history have to do with such a place? [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Nostalgic Memoir Paints Word Portrait of an Era

Her Uncle Abe, the younger brother of her father, played the trombone in the NBC Symphony Orchestra, so a family tradition was to sit quietly around the radio listening to the broadcast of the concerts conducted by Arturo Toscanini, whether or not Uncle Abe had an important solo. Her Bubbie told Abe that he should invite the maestro over to sample her blintzes, but somehow the conductor never realized that pleasure. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Spain’s Influence on Jewish Music A Highlight of Upcoming Tour to be Led by Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz

After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1495, the two largest migrations were to North Africa and to the Ottoman Empire. It was when I first traveled to Romania and Bulgaria (initially researching klezmer) that I met Jews who traced their heritage back to the Iberian Peninsula. Some of these Jews sang songs in Ladino and others played Sephardic music. [Yale Strom]

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International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food