New Cold War continues

New Cold War continues: With Russia already staggering under the weight of one of its worst financial crises in years, the US signaled that it would further increase the economic pressure with a new raft of sanctions targeting the Russian defense, energy and banking industries, says NYT. Check out my two books on Russia and Ukraine, perfect for the holidays, ebook, too. "Klara's Journey," (Marion Street Press) )  http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and "The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond," (Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

India

U.S. citizens can now get a tourist visa upon arrival at major airports in  India. Wish it would have been in effect when I went to “Incredible India” to research “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti &Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press) and visited the historic and still active Jewish community. http://amzn.to/J3Z47T . . Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Remember Pearl Harbor

Lest we forget: Dec. 7, 1941. "a date which will live in infamy,” said President Franklin Roosevelt. On that day, in a surprise air attack, Japanese planes bombed  the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans. It completely destroyed the American battleship U.S.S. Arizona and capsized the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The attack sank or beached a total of twelve ships and damaged nine others. 160 aircraft were destroyed and 150 others damaged. The attack took the country by surprise, especially the ill-prepared Pearl Harbor base. Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. I’m certainly going to mention Pearl Harbor in my talk at Ponte Vecchio Men’s Club breakfast in Boynton Beach, FL today, on “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” http://amzn.to/J3Z47T .

 

 

Palm Beach Post and Book Talk at Ponte Vecchio.

I’ll be speaking at the Ponte Vecchio Men’s Club breakfast in Boynton Beach, FL this Sunday morning, on “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  wherever books are sold, including, J. Levine Books and Judaica, NYC  , http://www.levinejudaica.com/catalog/klaras-journey-novel-by-ben-frank-paperback-p-20910.html or Liberty Book Store, West Palm Beach, FL, www.libertybookstore.com Perfect holiday gift. In case you missed the Palm Beach Post feature on “Klara’s Journey,” check it out here: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/in-authors-fictional-tale-love-blooms-despite-horr/njJm2/ Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Putin Throttles Ukraine economy!

Putin throttles Ukraine economy, down by ten percent this year. Sanctions and cutting off gas from time to time as well as supplying rebels in East Ukraine. Combine an historical novel with a story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” and that makes the perfect holiday gift. The book is “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) and it is in the news as I traveled throughout Siberia for this book.   http://amzn.to/13Sp769, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

 

Correction

Liberty Book Store which carries both "Klara's Journey," (Marion Street Press) and "The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti and Beyond," (Globe Pequot Press) is located at 330 Clematis, West Palm Beach. FL

Pick up a copy of "Klara's Journey,"

If you didn't bust your way through the doors of your local bookstore on the day after Thanksgiving to pick up a copy of “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel and story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” you still can stop in at J. Levine Books and Judaica, 5 West 30^th St. NYC, http://www.levinejudaica.com/catalog/klaras-journey-novel-by-ben-frank-paperback-p-20910.html
 or Liberty Book Store,530 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, www.libertybookstore.com #   or wherever books are sold. Ebook, kindle, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc., http://amzn.to/13Sp769. Perfect holiday gift.  Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

Lest we forget, the terrorist attack in Mumbai

LEST WE FORGET: Yesterday marked the date of the brazen terrorist act of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani terrorist group. The attack in Mumbai, India, shook the world, India and its historic Jewish community. Yes, time stood still at 2120 hours on the night of Nov. 26, 2008 throughout Mumbai. It was one of the worst terrorist attacks in history in which 174 persons, including nine gunmen lost their lives. Included in the carnage were six Jews at Chabad’s Nariman House, among them, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. Check my chapter on India in “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T .

Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Little Did I know!

Little did I know when I wrote “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, (Marion Street Press) that a civil war would break out in Ukraine at the end of 2013. That’s just where the story of Klara Rasputnis begins in a tale of “betrayal, high drama and love.” And a new “Cold War” no less. Great reading in this historical novel re background in this crisis in  “Klara’s Journey,”  especially now on the  first anniversary of the start of mass protests that culminated in President Viktor Yanukovych relinquishing power. .”  Perfect Chanukah/holidya gift, http://amzn.to/13Sp769, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc.  Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

Speaking at Brooklyn College Alumni, Palm Beach County chapter

Having lived in Brooklyn, (short time, the truth be told) I’m honored to be speaking Sunday, 11/16/14 at the luncheon of the Brooklyn College Alumni Association, Palm Beach Country chapter, in Boynton Beach,  re the crisis in Ukraine and its Jewish community as well as “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press), an historical novel and story of “betrayal, high drama and love.”  http://amzn.to/13Sp769 . Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

Risk in Ukraine, rising, at my book event 11/13.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says the risk of an escalation in violence in conflict-wracked eastern Ukraine is "rising,” according to RFE/RL.  The firing “has not ceased.” I’ll be answering questions about Russia-Ukraine in an “Evening of Travel,” at my book event, including, ‘Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, and “The Scattered Tribe,” traveling the Jewish Diaspora. From 6 pm. to 8 pm., Thursday, November 13, 2014 Liberty Book Store, 330 Clematis St., Ste 117, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401 (Corner Clematis and Dixie Highway) 561-906-5399

 

 

Book Event, 11/13/14.

Cold War? David Cameron, British prime minister, says UK is not seeking a “Cold War. But, he quickly adds  "If Russia continues on its current path, then we will keep upping the pressure," according to the BBC. I’ll be discussing this and other parts of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, as well as traveling the Diaspora  at my book event from 6 pm to 8pm. this Thurs. 11/13/14 I’m @ Liberty Book Store, 330 Clematis St., (corner Clematis and Dixie Highway) West Palm Beach, FL 561-906-5399.

 

 

The day the Berlin Wall came down.

Lest We Forget: 25 years ago, the Berlin Wall came down, a great day for freedom and the beginning of the end of the former Soviet Union. Yet today, anti-Americanism is once again a pillar of the Kremlin ideology, just as it was then and as it was 100 years ago, when Klara Rasputnis left Odessa to reach America. For a story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” check out “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, Wherever books are sold, http://amzn.to/13Sp769. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com   In Florida, stop by at my book event from 6 pm to 8pm. Thurs. 11/13/14 I’m @ Liberty Book Store, 330 Clematis St., (corner Clematis and Dixie Highway) West Palm Beach, FL 561-906-5399.

Myanmar and my chapter on Burma

Burma is in the news: For background check out my chapter on Burma in "The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond," (Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T Ebook formats and wherever books are sold. In Florida, stop off at Liberty Book Store, West Palm Beach, 561-906-5399, www.libertybookstore.com bet 6pm.-8 pm, Thursday evening, Nov. 13. for an "evening of travel," re "The Scattered Tribe" and "Klara's Journey.

Launch Florida season book engagements!

Launching Florida season book engagements with “an evening of travel” at Liberty Book Store, 330 Clematis St. Suite 117, West Palm Beach, FL,  (cor. Climatis and Dixie Highway) from 6 pm to 8 pm. Thursday evening, Nov. 13. Both “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel and story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” as well as “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond, “ (Globe Pequot Press) will be highlighted. Both books on sale at Liberty Book store, http://www.libertybookstore.com/upcoming-events.html or if you’re not in the Palm Beach area, wherever books are sold. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

Invitation. Book Event,

Please refer: frankpromo@aol.com, 561-737-2325     For Immediate Release

LOCAL AUTHOR ON “TRAVELING THE JEWISH DIASPORA” AT BOOK EVENT AT LIBERTY BOOK STORE, WPB, FL, NOVEMBER 13

·         

“Traveling the Jewish Diaspora” will be one of the topics discussed by  travel writer and author  Ben G. Frank, of Boynton Beach, FL, at a book event at Liberty Book Store, 330 Clematis St., Ste. 117, (corner Clematis and Dixie Highway,  West Palm Beach, from 6 pm. to 8 pm, Thursday, November 13.

The meet-and greet book signing also will highlight  the “Ukraine-Russian crisis. Frank is the author of three books on Russia and Ukraine and will be launching in Florida his historical novel, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press), an historical novel and “a story of betrayal, high drama and love,” that deals with the Russian Revolution and Civil War.

          “Those events a century ago were a harbinger of the current Ukrainian conflict,” said Frank who is the author of “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press).      Warren Adler, author of The War of the Roses, described “Klara’s Journey,” as: “A human struggle of epic proportions that will linger in the mind long after the story unfolds.”

Thorne Donnelley, owner of Liberty Book Store noted that Frank has been to Russia and Ukraine at least a half dozen times. During the Cold War, Frank, a former newspaper reporter and journalist, worked for Radio Liberty which broadcasts to the former Soviet Union and now Russia. His family is from the Ukraine.

At the event at Liberty Book Store, www.libertybookstore.com,  Frank will discuss “ traveling the Jewish Diaspora.”

The November 13 event is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

 

“Civil war,”Stephen Kotkin writes, “was not something that deformed the Bolsheviks; it formed them … [providing] the opportunity to develop and to validate the struggle against ‘exploiting classes’ and ‘enemies’ …. For Stalin, the civil war was especially formative, since it gave him his first experience of executive power,” notes Anne Applebaum in her excellent review of “Stalin,” by Stephen Kotkin. “Check out “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historic novel and a gripping saga of Russia’ Civil War. http://amzn.to/13Sp769. Ebk formats and wherever books are sold. ). Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

 

Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, FL

I’’ll be speaking at the “Kickoff event” of “Passport” luncheon talks at Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, FL, this Sunday, Oct. 19, on my travels to Jewish communities in Asia, including Siberia, India, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in researching my two recent books, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press),  an historical novel re Ukraine and Russia, http://amzn.to/13Sp769, and “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahini & Beyond” (Globe Pequot Press). Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

 

Nobody lovds Russia

In “The Life of a Useless Man, by Maxim Gorki,  a character explains that “nobody loved Russia, that everybody robbed it and wished it every kind of harm, “ shades of Vladimir Putin’s outlook on the West. “Unfortunate Russia,” has been the mindset of those in the Kremlin for centuries. No wonder we have a crisis in Ukraine now and as we did, 100 years ago, when Klara made her journey across Siberia in the story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” in "Klara’s Journey," an historical novel.

Crisis in Ukraine discussed at "Klara's Journey," book signing event

CRISIS IN UKRAINE DISCUSSED AT BOOK SIGNING RE HISTORICAL NOVEL, “Klara’s Journey.”

 

With many in attendance, Ben G. Frank, author of  ”Klara’s Journey,” an historical audience pointed out at a book signing event at J. Levine Books and Judaica in New York City, that  while there are glimmers of hope that the bloodshed will cease in Ukraine, the truce “is very shaky” and fighting still rages around Donetsk.

            Frank was launching his historical novel, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press), a story of betrayal, high drama and love,” that deals with the Russian Revolution and the Civil War that followed.

            On his part, Danny Levine, ‎President & 4th Generation Owner of J Levine Books & Judaica and levinejudaica.com, noted that Frank has been to Russia and Ukraine at least a half dozen times. During the Cold War, Frank worked for Radio Liberty which broadcasts to the former Soviet Union and now Russia. His family is from the Ukraine.

            In answering questions of those attending the book event at J. Levine’s , Frank pointed out that a small number of Jews have lost their lives and several thousand Jews have been moved or displaced to safer Ukrainian cities where they have been taken care of by the  Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Chabad and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. More than a thousand have made aliya to Israel.

Frank said that the crisis in Ukraine had ignited a new Cold War, one that actually can be traced back the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922, the time frame of “Klara’s Journey which he discussed at the signing and which is available wherever books are sold and as an ebook.

 

75 years ago, Russia gobbles up half of Poland,

LEST WE FORGET: About 2 weeks after Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1,1939 and ignited World War II, Stalin as part of the perfidious Molotov-Ribbentrop secret agreement of August  23, gobbled up parts of Poland on September 17, 1939. Communist Russia had made a deal with the German devil, and ironically, it was only in 1989 that the Soviet authorities admitted the existence of the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact which actually was of no avail to Moscow, because Germany invaded the USSR on June 22, 1941.Four years later, with millions dead, Russia defeated the Nazis.  Check out my 3 books on Russia and Ukraine. “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel,  (Marion Street Press), , http://amzn.to/13Sp769 “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,”(Globe Pequot Press) and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine,” (Pelican Publishing Co.)..Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

thanks to all who came to book signing, "Klara's Journey,"

Nice turnout and reception from guests at J. Levine Books & Judaica, on 9/9, re “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel. (Marion Street Press). All acknowledged tie-in between the Russian Civil War and the current Civil War in Ukraine. Thanks to all who came to the book signing. Still some books left at J. Levine, 5 West 30^th st. NYC.

 

An Invasion is an invasion is an invasion.

An invasion is an invasion is an invasion. Some now are saying it’s an open “war” between Russia and Ukraine. No doubt, Putin escalated the crisis so that the separatists could turn the tide of Ukrainian military encircling the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. If Ukraine forces fall back, Moscow can get better conditions in the ultimate political settlement AND even get a land bridge to annexed Crimea.. The Kremlin’s goal is the same: Prevent Ukraine from moving West and joining EU and NATO.  I’ll be answering questions on Ukraine and Russia conflict at book event , Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, at J. Levine Books and Judaica, 5 West 30th st. NYC, bet. 12 noon and 2 pm on Tuesday, 9/9. Also ebk. , http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

Russian stealth invasion of Ukraine

“…increasing number of Russian troops" are involved in the fighting in Ukraine, says US ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt. With stealth invasion of Ukraine, look for U.S. and NATO possibly to level more sanctions as well as supply Ukraine with “sophisticated arms.” I’ll be answering questions on Ukraine and Russia conflict at book event , Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, at J.Levine Books and Judaica, 5 West 30^th st. NYC, bet. 12 noon and 2 pm on Tuesday, 9/9. Also ebk. , http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk

A civil war is a civil war.

The rebel-led administration in Donetsk said they had introduced the death penalty for offences including treason, desertion and sabotage, according to the BBC. That’s what happens in a Civil War. Ask Klara Rasputnis of “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel which captures the brutal Russian Civil War in the Ukraine a century ago. Both Reds and Whites signed on to those methods, too. “Klara’s Journey,” ebk formats, http://amzn.to/13Sp769  follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

 

Jewish Refugee Crisis in Ukraine

 In what has been stated here previously as “the biggest Jewish refugee crisis in Ukraine since World War II, “ The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)  reported that more than 500 Jews who fled Eastern Ukraine because of heavy fighting there, have been provided an aid program by JDC in such cities as Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Odessa. This follows the announcement of Chabad that about 250 Jewish refugees have been resettled in a Chabad refugee camp in Zhitomir.  Thousands of Jews have suffered because of the fighting  in Eastern Ukraine and every day more 1,000 people flee that conflict zone, according to the UN. Unfortunately, déjà vu, similar scenes in the Russian Civil War, which I researched in “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) http://amzn.to/13Sp769

 

 

Jewish Refugees in Eastern Ukraine

JEWISH REFUGEES IN EASTERN UKRAINE. Every day more than 1,000 people flee the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, according to the United Nations. As for the Jewish community:  “This is the biggest Jewish refugee crisis in Ukraine since World War II,” exclaims Rabbi Sholom Gopin, speaking to Chabad.org from Zhitomer, where he is directing a refugee camp as he attempts to help community members resettle, at least temporarily. . Klara Rasputnis, of  “Klara’s Journey,  knew what it was to be a refugee. She went alone on a journey and confronted threadbare armies, famished beggars, violent protesters and her own hunger. http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats, follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

Putin won't back down!

Putin unlikely to back down in crisis.  Russia raising the ante re sanctions by banning most food imports from the West. Both sides will suffer, farmers in the West and U.S. and “empty shelves” in Russia. And despite tension and massing of Russian troops on Ukrainian border, the Russians and Ukrainians are not shooting at each other----at least “directly.” For background, check out “Klara’s Journey,” a story of “betrayal, high drama and love.” Wherever books are sold.   http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. Also,take a look at my other two books on Russia!  “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).

 

 

 

One Year Anniversary of "Klara's Journey,"

This summer is the 1-year anniversary of the publication of “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press). Little did I know that this historical novel of the Russian Civil War would be very relevant to the current Russia-Ukrainian crisis and the new Cold War. Check out “Klara’s Journey,” a story of “betrayal, high drama and love.”  http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

Refugees flee Donetsk and Luhansk.

As the fighting in eastern Ukraine intensifies between government forces and pro-Russian rebels, around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, the UN says that in the past week alone 6,200 people have fled their homes. This Civil War brings a refugee crisis as it did when Klara Rasputnis fled Ukraine a hundred years ago. For background, check out “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats, follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

The U.S. administration faces “some of the most challenging times in the relations between the U.S. and Russia since the end of the Cold War,” said the new U.S. ambassador to Russia, John F. Tefft. For background, check out my three books on Russia-Ukraine and its Jewish communities: “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel,  http://amzn.to/13Sp769; “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).

 

What next in Ukraine-Russia crisis after new sanctions leveled by U.S. and EU, especially since the West has targeted Russian banks. Well, Russia could retaliate by nationalizing foreign assets and it again could  turn to  China banks to  jump in and aid Russia. The two recently signed a major energy deal. For background, check out my three books on Russia-Ukraine and its Jewish communities: “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel,  http://amzn.to/13Sp769; “The Scattered Tribe, ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).

Cuba and 7/26

Today,  July 26, marks the 61^st anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. On July 26, 1953,  a failed attack by Cuban revolutionaries  on the Moncada Barracks, an army facility in the city of Santiago de Cuba took place. Those rebels were  reorganized in Mexico in 1955 by a group of 82 exiled revolutionaries (including Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, Huber Matos and Juan Almeida Bosque. Fidel Castro took over Cuba on Jan. 1, 1959. The Communist Party, now headed by Castro's brother Raúl, continues to govern Cuba today. Check out my chapter on Cuba and its Jewish community,  in “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press). Wherever books are sold, http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  Ebook formats. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

 

Little Did I know when I began my travels to Russia.....

After the fall of Communism in 1991 and up till the recent past, I made a half-dozen trips to Russia & Ukraine. I traveled from St. Petersburg to Moscow, to Suzdal to Kiev, to Odessa, and via the Trans-Siberian to Irkutsk and across Siberia to Vladivostok, I did interviews,  researched material and wrote about the former Soviet Union and present day Russia. Little did I know that what I wrote about in my 3 books on Russia would be background and newsworthy today: “Klara’s Journey,” Marion Street Press) http://amzn.to/13Sp769, as “The Scattered Tribe,” (Globe Pequot Press), http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine,” (Pelican Publishing).

 

So sad, Malaysian airliner shot down.

Now after the Russians grab the Crimea and is poised to cross the border again, after a civil war in Ukraine, after  U.S. and EU sanctions are leveled at Moscow, after the most serious standoff between Russia and the U.S. since the Cold War, we have the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner. So sad. Meanwhile more than 1,000 civilians and combatants have been killed since mid-April in Ukraine while tens of thousands of people have fled to Russia, the West and Israel. This a story that won’t go away, and its origins also lie in the Russian Civil War of 100 years ago, the actual beginning of the Cold War. Background  “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press).

 

 

Border Tension (Ukraine-Russia) high!

Reports that Russia  has rejected the idea of direct military intervention disguised as a peacekeeping operation may not be accurate. Border tension remains high between Ukraine and Russia, drawing both countries nearer to direct conflict. Foolish to think this chaos is controllable. When Klara Rasputnis left Odessa in “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel covering the Russian Civil War, utter chaos was the norm. For further background, Amazon.com http://amzn.to/13Sp769 . Ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

 

 

Cuba, visit by Israeli phtog team

In a country that appears at a standstill, the Cuban Jewish community is, “very much an integral part of the country and the national identity, but they also have their institutions and keenly observe the religious holidays and other important dates in the Jewish and Israeli cultural calendar,” notes a participant in an Israel-based photography team that visited Cuba recently. Check out my Cuba Chapter in “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press), available wherever books are sold, including Amazon.com,  http://amzn.to/J3Z47T as well as an ebook.

 

 

My Jerusalem Post travel articles, NYC and The South by auto train.

Having traveled to 89 countries, I’ve also journeyed by bus and train in cities and countryside.  Hence, two of my recent travel articles in the Jerusalem Post, one on the “Auto Train: traveling up the east coast of the U.S”. Riding the Auto Train  and one on the “M103 bus from the Upper East Side of Manhattan to Chinatown,  Riding the M103 to Chinatown For more of my travels, check out “Klara’s Journey,  (Marion Street Press) Amazon.com .http://amzn.to/13Sp769 . Ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc, as well as “The Scattered Tribe, (Globe Pequot Press), http://amzn.to/J3Z47T as well as my travel guides published by Pelican Publishing,: “A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe, 3^rd edition, “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine,” and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Caribbean and South America.”---all the guides are available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, J. Levine

Lest We Forget

Lest we forget:  100 years ago, tomorrow, on 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were shot dead in Sarajevo. On August 1 Germany declared war on Russia. But by that time, the beginning of World War I,  Gershon Rasputnis of “Klara’s Journey,” was in America. Little did he know it would be seven years until his family was reunited. For a story of “betrayal, drama and love,” check out the historical novel, Klara’s Journey,” also a gripping saga of Russia’s Civil War that followed WWI. Wherever books are sold: ,” Amazon.com .http://amzn.to/13Sp769 . Ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

 

This story won't go away!

1. The story that won’t go away. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes amid rising violence, insecurity and crime in areas of eastern Ukraine that are under the control of pro-Russia armed groups, according to the UN as cited in NYT. Klara Rasputnis left Ukraine also when there was a “reign of fear, if not of terror.” You can read this story of “betrayal, drama and love,” in “Klara’s Journey,” Amazon.com .http://amzn.to/13Sp769  ,also an ebook, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

 

the new Cold War

1. A civil war and a new Cold War in 2014?  In 1917, a civil war and the beginnings of a Cold War occurred in the days when Klara Rasputnis left Odessa after the October Bolshevik Revolution. Going to Moscow, she boards the Trans-Siberian railway in a story of “betrayal, drama and love.” For a gripping saga of Russia’s civil war, check out “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press),  Amazon.com .http://amzn.to/13Sp769   ,also an ebook, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

 

 

D-Day & "Klara's Journey

D-Day. One bright June morning, actually the Sixth of June, 1944 our elementary school  teacher, Mrs. Woods, asked us to stand up and say a silent prayer for our troops who had just landed in Normandy, France. A week later I was to learn that Cousin Manny Charach, landed on those beaches on D+4. A year before my Aunt Clara took me to see a war-time movie, called ”This is the Army.” She cried, her son Manny was in the service in England. Little did I know that 70 years later, I would write a book about her, called, “Klara’s Journey.” .http://amzn.to/13Sp769  

No peace in E.Ukraine w./o Moscow's cooperation!

The new Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko, says there can be no peace in Eastern Ukraine without Moscow’s cooperation. A hundred years ago, also no peace. Check out “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel for background and understanding of the Russian Civil War, 1918-1922 whose history still resonates.   http://amzn.to/13Sp769  ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc  Follow me on twitter @bengfrank :  

India and Israel, Drawing closer?

Backing up what I have written previously. Considering constant diplomatic game changers today, perhaps it's in their national self-interest to draw closer. Check out my chapter on India in "The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond," (Globe Pequot Press,) Wherever books are sold. http://amzn.to/J3Z47T,also an ebook, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank :  

Cold War?

Some say that it is too soon to conclude that we are witnessing the restoration of the Cold War. Could be. But many see the recent signing of the Russo-China oil agreement and meeting as a game-changing deal. As for the Cold War: That actually began after the Bolsheviks seized power in 1917 leading to the Russian Civil War. For more background, check out “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel. Available where books are sold.  http://amzn.to/13Sp769  ebook formats, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc  Follow me on twitter @bengfrank :  

 

 

Jewish Community in Burma

Myanmar's tourism industry is "red-hot:" just about 300,000 people visited the country in 2010, but three years later, that number had ballooned to over 2 million tourists. Before prices catch up with you, go ride a boat on Inle Lake, explore a dark cave pagoda, and catch the sunset reflecting off Shwedagon Paya.  Also a small Jewish community in Yangon, including an historic synagogue. Check out my chapter on Burma in  “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press). Wherever books are sold, including an e book. http://amzn.to/J3Z47T Follow me on twitter @bengfrank : 

 

 

Sorry to hear about his  (Jo Goldenberg) passing. He was a wonderful person. I met him in the 1970s in Goldenbergs, a fine Jewish institution in Paris. I wrote about him many times, in articles, French Tourist office travel brochures, and   “A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe,” (Pelican Publishing). He used to say  his meals were for the “kleine or groysse fresser.” Despite the infamous terrorist attack, he never closed the doors of the restaurant. He will be missed.