By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — As the film Lincoln nets twelve Oscar nominations, it’s time to examine Hollywood’s growing power in our national political life—and its celluloid skewing of history. From Congressional hearings over Zero Dark Thirty to President Obama’s private screening of 1600 Penn to politicians calling for Obama to be a […]
How movies remake history Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Israel had a party on Election Day. The weather was beautiful and people went to the beach and the parks by the tens of thousands. They were in a very good mood. And why not? For all the gloom and doom about Israel, its neighbors and its neighborhood, Israel
Youth and females emerge from Israel’s election Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — “Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices” hosted an exciting array of poets Saturday evening, Jan. 19, at the Astor Judaica Library. The three featured poets, Rabbi Patti Haskell, Ysmael Escudero Tisnado II and Joni Gurstein, attracted an audience of 40 listeners. Below are two examples from each of the talented presenters. Ysmael writes
Selections from three Jewish poets Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Thirty four parties were officially in the running. Polls indicated that 11 were certain of winning enough votes to enter the Knesset, two others were close to the minimum required, and four of the others attracted my attention as curiosities. It will be another day before the ballots of Israelis
‘No’ to Palestinians among trends in Israel election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastU.S. officials praise Israeli democracy (JNS.org) Reacting to news of Israel’s election results, American officials praised Israeli democracy and promised to work with the new government, the Jerusalem Post reported. In a tweet, U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro congratulated Israelis on a successful election day. “Mazal tov to the Israeli people on their just completed elections! Always inspiring
JNS news briefs: January 23, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m pleased that I was wrong about the expected meteoric ascendance of Naftali Bennet and his party Habayit Hayehudi; my pessimism got the better of me. But I still see Bennet as Netanyahu’s natural successor. He and his party are most likely to be in the government as
Netanyahu may need parties on left for his coalition Read More »
Middle East
Colors From a Zionist’s Palette by Ariel Larkey, Geffen Publishing (c) 2012; ISBN 978-965-229-605-4; 63 pages, retail price unlisted By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –The colors referred to in this title probably are in pastel –very light shades, in fact — to match the story-telling style of author Ariel Larkey. His tales are pleasing,
Sketches of an American’s life in Israel Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — For days now, the twittersphere and even the mainstream media have been agog at the anti-Semitism spewing in a now-viral video by Mohammed Morsi in 2010 when he was head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He called President Obama a liar as well, but the administration is doing
Morsi an unrepentant Jew-hater Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday, Jan. 22, urged the United States Supreme Court to reject an Arizona law requiring would-be voters to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. ADL has filed a brief, together with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Leadership Conference on
ADL opposes ‘proof of citizenship’ for Arizona voters Read More »
USA(JNS.org) JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-Beytenu list won 31 Knesset mandates, followed by Yesh Atid at 19, exit polls broadcast by Israel’s three leading television stations showed on Tuesday night. Final results will be published by the Central Elections Commission Wednesday. At 22:17 Israeli time, Netanyahu declared victory with a message on his
Netanyahu triumphs in election Read More »
Middle EastBy Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Taiwan is full of vegetarian restaurants catering to those who follow Buddhist beliefs as well as for those who just enjoy eating healthy foods. Not a complete vegan myself, I nevertheless stop by the vegetarian shops here once a week or so for a good hearty non-meat meal.
Jewish cookbook goes vegan style Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Yaakov Lappin The past two months have seen a sharp rise in the number of violent disturbances in the West Bank. Flashpoints have included Hebron, and multiple locations in the northern West Bank. The upsurge has included fire-bomb attacks, rock throwing at Israeli vehicles and IDF positions, and sporadic shootings. The Shin Bet,
Is another intifada already in the works? Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — There are at least three ways of getting it wrong on Israel’s election day. One: Israel rightly prides itself on its democratic structure. As the country isn’t divided into ridings where the first past the post candidate is elected, in theory every vote counts. That’s why today, election day,
3 ways to get it wrong on election day Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –Did you ever sing in a choir? If you did, you will easily be able to appreciate what I am about to describe. I well remember singing in a choir, and I recall three different scenarios which occurred in my choir with my choirmaster, who was invariably also
3 types of choirmasters, 3 types of leaders Read More »
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