Swiss minaret ban sparks worldwide condemnation

GENEVA (WJC)–Political leaders around the world, especially in Muslim countries, have condemned the decision by Swiss voters to ban the construction of minarets. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the ban was “deeply divisive” and “clearly discriminatory”, and it was at odds with Switzerland’s international legal obligations. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, […]

Swiss minaret ban sparks worldwide condemnation Read More »

Travel and Food

Iran becoming more intransigent in nuclear controversy

TEHRAN (WJC)–Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said there was no need to hold further talks with the West over Iran’s nuclear program. In a live television interview, Ahmadinejad threatened to downgrade relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): “Friendly relations with the agency are over. We will cooperate as much as they offer us

Iran becoming more intransigent in nuclear controversy Read More »

Middle East, USA

Shonda file: Attorney Scott Rothstein accused of $1 billion Ponzi scheme

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Office, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced the filing of a five-count Criminal Information charging attorney Scott

Shonda file: Attorney Scott Rothstein accused of $1 billion Ponzi scheme Read More »

USA

Iraqi police arrest 11 suspected al Qaeda operatives

BAGHDAD (Press Release)— Iraqi police on Tuesday arrested 11 suspected members of the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group  during two joint security operations in northern Iraq. Near As Sadiyah, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq member believed to have ties to senior leadership. Based

Iraqi police arrest 11 suspected al Qaeda operatives Read More »

Travel and Food

Text of President Obama's speech announcing 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

WEST POINT, New York (Press Release)–Following is the transcript of the speech by President Barack Obama announcing an increase in troop levels in Afghanistan: THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our Armed Services, and to my fellow Americans:  I want to speak to you

Text of President Obama's speech announcing 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan Read More »

USA

ADL backs Wiccan's right to sue California prisons

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged a federal appeals court to allow a Wiccan religious leader to have his day in court to pursue a religious discrimination case. A Wiccan clergy member challenged as unconstitutional a policy of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that limits paid clergy positions to members of

ADL backs Wiccan's right to sue California prisons Read More »

USA

Shoah Survivor Rita Ross speaks Dec. 14 at Adat Shalom

POWAY, California (Press Release)—The Temple Adat Shalom Adult Education Committee presents Rita Ross, the writer of an exceptional memoir that delves into her childhood during the Holocaust, saving the lives of children and personally experiencing the horror of the era. Her book, Running from Home, which will be available for purchase, is written in a

Shoah Survivor Rita Ross speaks Dec. 14 at Adat Shalom Read More »

San Diego Calendar, USA

In the Mix, for 20s to 40s, will focus on cultural events, and hold Dec. 9 mixer to preview Jewish film festival

SAN DIEGO–Jews in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s who desire to participate in and influence the cultural offerings of the Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family JCC have formed a new group called “In the Mix.” The group is kicking off its activities with a Wednesday, Dec. 9, Flix Mix cocktail party

In the Mix, for 20s to 40s, will focus on cultural events, and hold Dec. 9 mixer to preview Jewish film festival Read More »

San Diego Calendar

How about some Turkish beignets for Chanukah?

____________________________________________________ By Linda Capeloto Sendowski BEVERLY HILLS, California—Hot from the sizzling oil, dripping with warm, lemon scented, honey syrup the bumuelo is a Sephardic tradition.  That first bite of sweet crispy goodness is worth the calorie conscious guilt I will feel after eating this traditional goodie. Bumuelos also known as birmuelos, as burmuelos, depending on

How about some Turkish beignets for Chanukah? Read More »

Travel and Food

Savoring Jewish life in Burma

Interior of Musmeah Yeshua ________________________________________________ By Sammy Samuels YANGON, Myanmar–Jewish life in Burma today is quite different from what it was during colonial times, which lasted until World War II.  Before the war, it still was the case that “the sun never set” on the British Empire, including in Southeast Asia. Jewish merchants, who migrated

Savoring Jewish life in Burma Read More »

Travel and Food

Chabad of La Costa seeks yard-sale items

CARLSBAD, California (Press Release)–Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, spiritual leader of Chabad of La Costa, has issued the following appeal: “Our Annual Community Yard Sale is THIS coming Sunday (December 6) from 8am – 2pm at the shul (1980 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad). We need your saleable items now. Please bring items in good condition to the

Chabad of La Costa seeks yard-sale items Read More »

San Diego Calendar, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Lecture on Kafka's last love Dec. 12 at Beverly Hills art gallery

BEVERLY HILLS, California  (Press Release)–Explore the intriguing mysteries surrounding three of Lee Waisler’s portraits on the closing day of his About Faces exhibition at Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Beverly Hills on Sunday, December 12 from 3 to 5 pm: Literary genius Franz Kafka, his last love Dora Diamant, and Kafka’s friend and literary executor Max

Lecture on Kafka's last love Dec. 12 at Beverly Hills art gallery Read More »

Middle East

ZOA to confer Theodor Herzl Medallion on Sheldon G. Adelson

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) announced that it will present to world-renowned businessman and pro-Israel philanthropist Sheldon G.  Adelson its most distinguished and historic award, the Theodor Herzl Gold Medallion for outstanding achievement in Zionism. The ZOA Dinner will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, 42nd

ZOA to confer Theodor Herzl Medallion on Sheldon G. Adelson Read More »

Middle East, USA

Iran financing anti-Semitic films

PARIS (WJC)–The French comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala has announced that he secured funding from Iran for films meant to “combat Zionism” in France. Dieudonné and the head of France’s Anti-Zionist Party, which Dieudonné helped to found earlier this year, said the support was obtained during a recent meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran

Iran financing anti-Semitic films Read More »

USA