News (Page 172)

By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent What does Adolf Hitler have in common with Joseph Stalin and Saddam Hussein, besides a particular brand of brutality? According to Dr. Theodore L. Dorpat’s newly released book, Wounded Monster: Adolf Hitler’s Path From Trauma to Malevolence, (University Press of America, $47), Hitler came fromContinue Reading

By Manny Frishberg, JTNews Correspondent “I’m not an advocate for Saddam Hussein,” announced Rep. Jim McDermott, as he laid out the reasons he believes the U.S. should not send its army into Iraq. McDermott said to the standing-room-only crowd at Temple Beth Am in Seattle’s Northend, “I think he’s aContinue Reading

By Joshua Runyan; Transcript Acting Editor Joel Magalnick contributed to this report., otherContinue Reading

By Joshua Runyan; Transcript Acting Editor Joel Magalnick contributed to this report., other PHILADELPHIA (JTA) — Several Jewish groups reacted with “alarm” and “serious disappointment” to President Bush’s executive orders issued Dec. 12 that expands federal funding for faith-based groups. But Orthodox groups hailed them as an important step forward.Continue Reading

By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent On Sept. 21, American-Israelis Yonnah Ben Levy and her husband Chaim Bezalel opened their own gallery and art center, Stanwood House, in the small town of Stanwood. “It’s a Scandinavian town and here we are, [American] Israelis plunked down in the middle of it,” saidContinue Reading

By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent America’s largest Klezmer orchestra, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, will once again visit Seattle’s Benaroya Hall this month. The 11-member group, now in its 22nd season, caters to a diverse audience, performing a mixture of music from the old country to modern jazz and swing. “It’sContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews Levitas, on tour to promote his book The Terrorist Next Door (Thomas Dunne Books, 2002, 416 pages) spoke at a joint meeting of the Jewish Federation and at Congregation Beth Shalom on Nov. 26 as a part of Jewish book month. Levitas says another attackContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews Until recently, West Seattle had only a small but fragmented Jewish community. In October, a new educational center opened to help bring that community together. The Torah Learning Center of West Seattle, under the auspices of Seattle Kollel, opened its doors to the public OctoberContinue Reading

By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent As mayor of the Gush Etzion region of Israel, Shaul Goldstein is not only a leader, he’s also a businessman, a visionary and by necessity, even a part-time soldier. Goldstein, who has been the mayor of Gush Etzion since 1999, visited Seattle for four daysContinue Reading

By Rita Weinstein, JTNews Correspondent On November 20, Muslims across the world ended Ramadan, their 29-day fast of observance. At the University of Washington, Jewish students joined them in the first-ever “Fast-Food” dinner. The B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation at the University of Washington, along with the Muslim Students Association, jointlyContinue Reading

By Manny Frishberg, JTNews CorrespondentContinue Reading

By Manny Frishberg, JTNews Correspondent When Barry Sohn took the reins at the Stroum Jewish Community Center half a year ago, his task was similar to a man who must change a flat tire while his car continues down the highway at 65 miles per hour. Not only had theContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews Seattle Hebrew Academy has just gotten a much-needed boost in its quest to raise funds to rebuild its home. The Capital Hill facility, which has sat empty since the Nisqually earthquake nearly two years ago, received a $4 million matching grant from the Samis foundation.Continue Reading

By Robert Shay, Special to JTNews This month, I am pleased to announce to the community that I have decided to expand the selection of media our collection or “video store” offers. For years I have been interested in books on tape, but have been reluctant to offer them forContinue Reading

By Davida Navarre (and daughter Ruth), Special to JTNews Twentieth-century history is rife with examples of inhumanity. The Holocaust stands as one of the largest in cultural and literal genocide. One defining aspect of the Shoah was its uniquely Jewish voice. After decades of struggle with silence, however, this voiceContinue Reading

By Gigi Yellen-Kohn, JTNews Correspondent You should be able to find these discs with the information given, but if you’re frustrated in a search, ask at Tree of Life Books, at your favorite music store, or your synagogue gift shop. You may also send a note to the paper andContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews David and Debbie Grashin are trying to get back to normal after the passing of their son Ari. Grashin, who had been battling cancer for the past year, succumbed to the disease on Sept. 23. A fighter to the end, and even as late asContinue Reading

By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent Not long ago, a positive HIV test meant an imminent death sentence. That is no longer the case. Today, instead of dying from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the disease known as AIDS, nearly half the people who might have died two decades ago now liveContinue Reading

By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent From Shakespeare’s Shylock to Arthur Miller’s Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman, the stereotype of the corrupt businessman and, in particular ,the Jewish businessman, reflects a sometimes-shrewd and ultimately spiritually adrift human being who uses his financial prowess to gain control or power. RabbiContinue Reading