By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Thomas Friedman has written one of his better articles. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/opinion/08friedman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion As a retired professor still inclined to give grades to everything I hear or read, I’d say about 92, or A-. The major theme is quite good. Friedman recognizes that there is no gas left in the peace process. It […]
Who killed the Mideast peace process? Read More »
Ira SharkanskyBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When 12-year old M. applied to attend the Jews’ Free School, the secondary school that was founded in 1732 and serves London’s Jewish community, he was not accepted. The reason? His mother was not born Jewish and her conversion was in accordance with the progressive, not the orthodox,
‘Who is a Jew’ Controversy Pops up in Britain Again Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-VansonBy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO– In Paris, in 1841, the ballet Giselle was danced for the first time. It was part of an entire repertoire in the various arts which became known as the Romantic Era; dance, literature, poetry and music. This milieu envisioned the female as ephemeral, not quite human; a sylph, a swan,
Giselle –A review of the City Ballet of San Diego Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California — Every once in a while a book comes along that reveals a startling gap in our understanding of the world, our passions and desires, and ourselves. Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle is such a book. One of Start-Up Nation’s authors will discuss it at the San
'Start Up Nation' — A book review Read More »
Middle East, San Diego CalendarBy Carine Chitayat ABOARD EL AL AIRLINES–I am flying to LAX from Ben Gurion Airport as I write this. I was in Israel for a very short visit on behalf of the Adopt A Family program at Congregation Beth Am. It’s been a fast week, leaving on a Thursday and returning exactly one week later.
On a flight from Israel back home: who 'adopted' whom? Read More »
Middle East, San Diego Calendar, USABy Jeanette Friedman ENGLEWOOD, New Jersey — Shari Alter and her oncologist husband Robert have five kids and live in Englewood. You would think that would keep her busy with no time for so much as a bubble bath or “Oprah” break, since everyone knows, five kids means lots of car-pooling, hockey and assorted craziness. So multi-tasking,
Ever plan a party from 5,000 miles away? Shari Alter has! Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—Allahu Akbar, Praise the Lord, and Hear O Israel elicit the best of sentiments, and something else. A youtube segment from CNN shows radical Muslims, native born Americans, including one who converted from Judaism, who praise Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, call for Osama bin Laden to continue his holy war, and urge
Keeping the Ft. Hood massacre in perspective Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Sara Appel-Lennon SAN DIEGO–Two melodies beloved by English-speaking children recently were played by Klezmer clarinetists at San Diego State University to demonstrate that any song can be Klezmer if played with Klezmer flavor. Yale Strom, Jewish Studies Artist in Residence coordinated the Klezmer complementary concert on Wednesday, November 4, featuring Leo Chelyapov, Robet Zelickman,
Klezmer melodies can be as American as …. Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Steve Hofstetter NEW YORK—I have spent the better part of the last four years convincing my parents that I don’t need to marry a Jewish girl. Turns out I was wrong. It’s not the first time that’s happened. Though it may be the first time I’m admitting it to them. Every Jew of my
Why I'm marrying a Jewish girl Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ulla Hadar SHA’AR HANEGEV, Israel—Amid an atmosphere of joy and Zionistic rededication, the rebuilt, rocket-resistant Sha’ar Hanegev elementary school has been reopened in the same compound it had occupied for a half century. Ceremonies inaugurating the seven-building complex on Thursday, November 5, marked the end of the elementary school’s two-year exile from Sha’ar Hanegev’s
Sha'ar Hanegev opens rocket-resistant elementary school Read More »
Middle EastWhile only Jewish member of Congress to vote against condemning Goldstone report, Bob Filner of San Diego says he was not the only one who held that view
Eighteen countries voted in the UN General Assembly against the Goldstone report. We should show our appreciation to Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and our own blessed United States of America.
Thanking Israel’s steadfast friends Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA