War in Ukraine continues.

 The ruble has lost 40% of value; Russia’s credit standing reduced to junk!, Yet Russian tanks and armored vehicles are in eastern Ukraine, NATO reports. And Putin has centralized all power. “War will continue,” says this author of “Klara’s Journey, an historical novel and story of “betrayal, high drama and love.” ) http://amzn.to/13Sp769. Ebook, nook, ipad, Kobo, etc Follow me on twitter @bengfrank

West Aid To Ukraine

Looks like West may come up with a "robust package of financial support" for Ukraine. Can’t let Mariupol fall. That port city stands in way of land-bridge linking Russia to its annexed Crimea. For background on this civil war and new cold war, check out “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel. http://amzn.to/13Sp769. Ebook. And wherever books are sold.

 

Going to Cuba?

Re Books on the Cuban Jewish community: Wondering what is required if you want to go to Cuba? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions, according to the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/travel/the-latest-on-travel-to-cuba.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share

I wrote about my experiences as well as much travel info re Cuba  and its wonderful Jewish Community in “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press)  http://amzn.to/J3Z47T, also ebook. Check it out. Also, now an ebook, “A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and South America, “ (Pelican Publishing Company._ Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

PS I found my 1954 Chevy on the streets of  Havana.

Update On Russia

Update on Russia: “The mood in Moscow is verging on desperate, particularly among the elderly and the poor and those who long for new leadership,” writes Julia Ioffe in The New Yorker, 1/12/15. Same 100 years ago when Klara Rasputnis left Ukraine during the Russian Civil War. Read her story of “betrayal, high drama, and love,” in “Klara’s Journey,” http://amzn.to/13Sp769. ebook. follow me on twitter @bengfrank

As noted here previously, and now confirmed by the Jewish Agency, nearly 6,000 new immigrants from Ukraine made aliyah to Israel, compared to about 2,000 in 2013. This dramatic 190% increase is due primarily to the ongoing instability in the eastern part of the country., an instabiity which unfortunately will continue in this ongoing civil war. For those still there especially in Luhansk and Donetsk area, JDC is providing food, clothing and medical care. For background, check out the historical novel, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) a story of “betrayal, high drama, and love,” http://amzn.to/13Sp769, also an ebook. follow me on twitter @bengfrank