Other items in today’s column include:
*The story behind a Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait
*SDSU names Rana Sampson to a task force
*Next hearing March 20 in Chabad of Poway shooting
*Political bytes
*Coming our way
*Happy Thanksgiving from Donald and Nancy Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire, recently purchased 400 television commercials in San Diego – a buy reported by Ken Stone of the Times of San Diego as bringing $467,000 to the San Diego economy. The spots will appear on at least five local television stations.
Anyone familiar with the “Dayenu” (It would have been enough) recitation during a Passover seder will feel a certain sense of familiarity with the Jewish presidential candidate’s lengthy biographical spot in which he introduces himself to voters in California’s March 3 primary election. Reciting a list of Bloomberg’s accomplishments, the narrator punctuates the litany with “He could have stopped there” but he went on to accomplish more.
Points in the Bloomberg biographical commercial include:
* He came from a middle class family, and was able to build a business that employed thousands with good paying jobs.
* As a three-term mayor he helped New York City recover from the tragedy of the 9-11 terrorist attack
* He created tens of thousands of affordable housing units in New York City.
* He raised teachers’ salaries.
* He financed an anti-gun violence movement, taking on the NRA.
* He financed college educations for low-income and middle class children.
* He supported life saving medical research.
* He stood up to the coal lobby.
“ He wants to fight the growing menace of climate change.
* He wants everyone to have health insurance, either the plan they already have or a government plan
* He believes wealthy people should pay more in taxes.
* He is a Job creator, leader, and problem solver.
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The story behind a Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait
Rod Benson and Alex Zalkin played basketball together at Torrey Pines High School. Zalkin went on to be a lawyer, while Benson played professional basketball for the summer leagues of the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz. He also worked as a graphic artist. Now, with his basketball career in the rear view mirror, Benson works in Los Angeles as a sports commentator and writer. He also is winning attention as a visual artist. His portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg now is on display at the Zalkin Law Firm. “Having this dramatic image of Justice Ginsburg looking over our office is meaningful to all of us because of her lifelong struggle to fight against discrimination in her legal career,” Zalkin commented in an article appearing on Times of San Diego. “RBG is an inspiration to our legal team as we seek justice for our clients.”
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SDSU names Rana Sampson to task force
Rana Sampson, the law enforcement consultant and wife of former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, has been named by San Diego State University to its Presidential Task Force on Student Activities and Safety, which was created by SDSU President Adela de la Torre in the wake of the death of student Dylan Hernandez who fell from his upper bunk bed to the floor in a residence hall after attending a party at Phi Gamma Delta. De la Torre also formed a Task Force on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
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Next hearing March 20 in Chabad of Poway shooting
The next hearing in the case of the alleged shooter at Chabad of Poway will be March 20, at which time the U.S. Attorney’s office is expected to announce whether it will seek the death penalty for the suspect accused of murdering Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and the wounding of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, and Almog Peretz on the last day of Passover earlier this year.
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Political bytes
*San Diego City Councilwoman Barbara Bry , a candidate for mayor, arranged to serve Thanksgiving meals at two venues today. Her first stop was the Serving Seniors organization in downtown San Diego, and her second shop was the Bethel Baptist Church in the Logan Heights neighborhood.
*Escondido City Councilwoman Olga Diaz, a candidate in the 3rd County Supervisorial District seeking to unseat incumbent Kristin Gaspar, describes Thanksgiving as her favorite holiday. “It’s a day when I think about how fortunate I am to have been born to brave parents who immigrated to the U.S. and worked away their youth to provide for our family. Every day I feel blessed for the opportunities I’ve had because of their sacrifice and the endless possibilities available to their grandchildren.”
*Terra Lawson-Remer, noting the Thanksgiving rains in San Diego, commented that whenever there are such downpours, “water run-off full of toxic pesticides and dangerous pollutants like antifreeze flows into our oceans, killing dolphins and baby seals and making all of us sick.” A candidate in the 3rd Supervisorial District seeking to defeat incumbent Kristin Gaspar, she says a new majority on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors “can stop the pollution, investing in 21st century water treatment infrastructure to protect our beaches and coastlines.”
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Coming our way
* Jana Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh, founder of the Yiddish arts and Academics Association of North America (YAAANA) will discuss Yiddish arts and culture in the 21st century, at a 12:45 p.m. lecture, Thursday, Dec. 5, at the College Avenue Center, a Jewish Family Service program housed at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego.
* Yale Strom and his band Hot Pstromi entertain in “Winter Shminter,” a Chanukah and Winter Solstice Celebration at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23, at the Lyceum Space at Horton Plaza downtown.
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Happy Thanksgiving from San Diego Jewish World
Donald and Nancy Harrison take this occasion to wish all of our readers and fellow writers and contributors the happiest of Thanksgivings. While there is plenty of room for improvement in this great country of ours, we are thankful that we live in the United States of America, where Jews and everyone else have opportunities to advance on merit. We believe the Shehekiyanu prayer, thanking God for allowing us to reach this special moment, will be an appropriate way of giving thanks around our dinner tables today.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com